October 26, 2007 • 3:34 PM
Now that we are out of imminent fire danger the biggest threat is smoke inhalation.
The sky is still filled with plumes of white and black smoke and the ground is beginning to be covered with ash. I can’t imagine what’s in our lungs.
Today at work they were handing out masks to help reduce the congestion and sneezing but the watery eyes and burning throat are hard to fight. Tina has some great pictures of the efforts.
Since we lived so close our house was filled with the now familiar fire smell. We’ve been running the air conditioning so there is at least one filter to what is passing into our lungs.
All I can say is praise God for allergy drugs. I’m doing all right.
Filed under: Health, Living in LA LA Land , allergies, fire, orange county, smoke
October 25, 2007 • 9:39 PM
The Orange County Santiago fires continue to head east along the edge of the canyon towards Silverado. The state fire authorities are reporting that we are 30% contained with 27,000 acres burned so far.
The frustrating thing is that its hard to get information about the Orange County fire specifically. The tv news focused on Malibu for the longest time and seemed more concerned that the filming of 24 was delayed because of the fire than the fact that ours was raging. My parents, who live in Ohio, didn’t even know that the fire was anywhere near us because national news focused on Malibu and San Diego.
The best place to get updates has been the Orange County Register. They have blogs, photos, video, and maps to make sure we know what’s going on. When in doubt go with the paper, tv is just too sensational and focuses on really trivial details and information. You can also submit your personal fire photos and video.
Maybe my bias against tv news is showing just a bit.
Filed under: Living in LA LA Land , fire, news, oc register, orange county
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
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