The wildfires... ugh.

[Abel]

I wish the best for you guys that are near the wildfire locations...

I cant imagine what those affected are going through... my thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Abel]

link to story and images:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/loo...res_oct07.html

October 23rd



October 22nd

[Silverstangs]

I'm so glad I live in Norcal... I feel bad for all those people. One thing that gets me, not to sound like a jerk or anything but...

We have FIREPROOF building materials, but we still put up stick built homes. We also can build Tornado Proof homes, but again, still put up stick built homes. I don't really get that. I know there is a house down there, that was competely built to be fire proof, and last year, that owner one the only person that had a house to come back too.

[windrivermaiden]

I dont know,Scott. I'm seeing loads of homes which I watched being built with metal framing, stucco and tile roofs that are buring to the ground. The fire is so fierce that windows are breaking and they are burning from the inside out.

You cant imagine how hard the gusts are. Some up to 75 MPH. a few clocked in the mountain valleys at 90-100+.

It is really awesome here right now. It goes from being bright and sunny with not a wiff of smoke in the air when the wind isn't blowing to being thick and dark with smoke when it shifts in this direction. Right now, clear as a bell. only ash falling around. The fire is about 6 miles from me, as the crow flies. Over a crest of hills. You'd never know that there was a fire, except for the helos flying over and the huge blanket of smoke over the ocean.

It seems so strange to be here typing on the computer while on the other side of the hill people are out of their homes. My escape stuff is ready. Should I get the order to evacuate.

If another fire errupts anywhere. We are screwed. All our trucks but one engine and one tanker are out at the fires out side town.
I lost part of my home in 1993 and I have to tell you that my heart is in my throat. There are only 2 routes out of town...I dont want to do that scene over.

[Silverstangs]

I wish you the best, I can't imagine being in that situation. I do know one thing, if I ever make some serious coin, enought to build what I want, I'm gonna have a bunker built under the house, and my house is gonna be a fortress.

[windrivermaiden]

Ditto on that. I live in absoulte fear of fire in a tinderbox built in 1928. I can't wait till I can sell it and get into a little adobe or stucco number on a nice straight street with curb and gutter, sidewalks and miles from any brush. And secure egress. It is only a matter of time now that my kids are out of school and into college.

That being said...it is crazy to think that all the ways out of the LA Basin were blocked at one time, PCH, Interstates 5, 405, 15 as well as the small state highways. Yikes! feeling like a fish in a barrel.

[Hikin' Mike]

Hope you the best as well Windy...

[imported_timothybui]

I'm like dying from all this ashes and thick dust in the air..

I already came to the conclusion that this polluted air is doing more damage to my lungs than a pack of cigarette. Jebus.

But my prayers goes out to all those in San Diego, hope and wish the best for all.

[Silverstangs]

Last time Sacramento was covered is smoke from a Forest fire, I had to turn on all my hepa filters, and I'm so glad I have them. One for each room.

[windrivermaiden]

Sorry about the quality...dine and dash with dear daughter. This is the fire that is near to me...its is about 10-15 miles from my house now...moving away on most flanks. Lake Forest in the forground, Irvine to the left.
these photos butt end to end, the first one following the second one.
Prayers all...

[swanny338]

Just snowing here in Santa Barbara.... Horrible on the air filters in my motorcycles.

[Abel]

wow Windy... those photos really tell the story... i cant even imagine. best of luck to your and your family.

[windrivermaiden]

you sound just like my son.

[swanny338]

I find it insane how crazy these wildfires are getting. I feel for the people who are so close, must be nerve racking. Good Luck to everyone and if you know any of the firefighters helping to contain these things... make sure you thank them. Saw a convoy going down 101 the other day.

[windrivermaiden]

Woo Hoo! on shore flow! that means the winds are coming off the ocean...moister...cooler....Yay! The fire near me is burning away from civilization into the Cleveland Nat'l Forest. Yay! all around.