I've received so many out-of-state emails asking about my personal reaction and health as the result of the devastating So. Calif. fires. I thought I should cover this subject here in one email, and send it to all my extended family. You probably read a lot about the fire in the newspapers, and saw many pictures on TV of the damage, so I'll stick to my reaction from Solana Beach.
I was having breakfast on Sunday morning, looking out the window, and noticed that the Santa Ana winds were blowing hard toward the ocean, even strong enough to bend the tall palm trees. That was not too unusual because that's expected when the SA winds blow, but along with the winds came a hazey overcast. As the day wore on, the haze turned into what I thought was smoke, so I turned on the TV to learn that there was a large area of fire around Ramona which is about 50 miles inland, and it was spreading fast toward the ocean on a line through Rancho Penasquitos, Lake Hodges, and Rancho Santa Fe (which is only 5-10 miles from here). I wasn't worried too much during the rest of Sunday, but on Monday when I woke up, I turned on the TV and found that the fire had spread fast through Ramona to Rancho Penasauitos wiping out hundreds of homes on the way. Firefighters were arriving from all over Western U. S. , and those who were in the path of the fire were told to move out of our homes,-- some areas completely, other areas optionally. It was optionally for Del Mar and Solana Beach. So I spent the rest of Monday and Tuesday watching the fire spread closer and closer,-- saw several homes in RP go up in flames, and wondering if I should leave Solana Beach. By this time the air was very smokey and leaving a layer of light ash over everything, On Tuesday, I regularlly get a visit from our Sheriff Volunteer, who, when he came brought me a mask to wear.
I got a visit from my good neighbor, Hugo, who said he had driven his wife and son to Oceanside to get out of the fire path, but he wanted to stay here in Solana Beach until he was forced to leave. And Hugo said he would be glad to take me with him, if he had to leave. He would be my life saver, so to speak. That was reassuring. So I prepared an emergency going away bag to carry my important papers, bank books, wallet, small radio, batteries, medicines, toiletries, nightgown, sweater, etc., and put it where I could grab it fast if I had to leave in a hurry. The fire continued to come closer, across Lake Hodges, and into the North side of Rancho Santa Fe (10 miles from here). burning several houses on the way. By this time, however, the firefighter crew had grown larger, the wind a little lighter, and the fire progress slowing down. The many fire areas around the county are now being contained and out of danger. But what an experience! I hope you never have one like this. I'm in pretty good shape, for an old geek, and things are returning to normal here in Solana Beach. Love, -- Dad, Gramps, Uncle, Ray
I'd say that was a close one!
No comments:
Post a Comment