October 23, 2007 • 5:24 PM
“We didn’t start the fire, though we didn’t lite it we’re trying to fight it…” Why is it that really silly and often inappropriate things and songs go through your mind in a crisis. No idea.
Last night the neighbor at our temporary shelter was having a BBQ. It just seemed wrong somehow that half the hillside was going up in flames and he thought “hmmm let me cook meat on an open flame.” It was a really odd combination of smells let me tell ya.
Tonight I think we’re going home. Our city is still on voluntary evacuations but the winds have shifted and the flare ups seem to be moving west as opposed to east again. It’s really kind of hard to get information inspite of being in the age of cell phones, internet and blogs. I suppose it’s just the nature of the beast. On my way back from lunch a new fire sprouted up in the hills by work. The winds are just wrecking havoc.
It is also really hot right now. We’re at about 96 degrees right now. There is ash everywhere and the air is so thick. My asthma going a little haywire. Thank goodness for inhalers.
I just feel really dazed right now. I can’t imagine those with mandatory evacuations or those whose home were sprayed as they hope it doesn’t burn down. The worse part of all of this is that the Orange county fires were arson. Someone deliberately did this. How awful. I can’t wrap my brain around it.
Well I’m off to turn on the air purifier and camp out with some cheesy movies.
Filed under: Living in LA LA Land , arson, fire, orange county
As the fire creeped over the hill last night a voluntary evacuation notice was issued for our city. As the day wore on the air quality really diminished and when we saw flames we decided it would be best if we packed the important things and went a little further inland.
A friend who has a house staged to sell offered to let us stay there. We joked that we were refugees in Mission Viejo. But, it was nice to be able to stay together, at least that was some sense of normalcy in all of the other craziness.
Work is currently being used as a staging area for local fire departments and the high school up the street is a relief area for those evacuated from the Santiago, San Diego, Irvine/Orange and Silverado Canyon fires.
It just feels surreal. But the outpouring of care and concern is amazing. We were flooded with offers of places to stay, offers to help move things and general love and support.
God is good. I’m oddly calm.
Filed under: Living in LA LA Land , , evacuation, fire, orange county
We thought we were out of the woods when the fire turned west instead of east but today the fire creeps closer. From our offices in Lake Forest we can see the hills smoking and pieces of orange glow. It’s crazy.
We can definitely smell fire and the smoke is filtering into the building. A lot of people are suffering with burning eyes, coughing and allergies.
We just learned that the The Wal-Mart about 1 mile away, near Alton and the 241 has just evacuated. At this point, the fire itself is about three miles away. It is definitely getting closer.
A lot of people had trouble even getting into the area to get to work because of so many road closures around us.
We are praying for safety, the winds to calm down and wisdom for leaders, firefighters and those whose home is in danger.
Since I live so close to work I really have no where to go. I opted to just stay at work since I’m closer to the fire if I head into the foothills and go home. It’s very odd.
Filed under: Living in LA LA Land , evacuation, fire, Lake Forest, orange county
What did you say?