Friday, October 26, 2007

California is burning- new updates

I am correcting some things and updating this on 10/27/07 I am sorry I didn't write this all (this whole post I mean) sooner, but we have been under a tremendous amount of stress lately.
Here is our state from space. This picture was taken October 24th I believe. In blue, that's where we are. The red are active fires burning at the time of the picture. In yellow I approximated the area where two more have started.

None of the photos in this blog were taken by me. Whenever possible I have included photo credit.

For the last two weeks, I, along with the rest of California, have watched and read with shock and horror the tragic events that have been unfolding in our beautiful state.

Somewhere, here in our very midst are evil people.

People who's only thought is to cause mindless devastation, and inflict tremendous danger on their fellow men.

To me, it is unimaginable that one human being could be capable of causing such destruction to their own land, their own neighbors,
to their brothers and sisters.

Fires threatening homes in San Diego County

Current active fires burning as of today. Since the beginning of October, there have been 35 fires in California.
Of those 35, 23 are under investigation, and are believed, or are known to have been Arson.
Some of those fires were small, and out quickly. Others turned into unbelieveable infernos.


San Diego County I believe

Photo taken by: Redlands. I'm not sure which one this is, it looks like Orange County- but I now believe it to be Malibu.

Satellite image of smoke plume from space.

Photo by: Clodagh of fire in Canyon Country. My dad's former home is just South of this picture.


Photo by: Pooya of Sand Canyon. The above two photos are of either the "Meadow Ridge" or the "Buckweed" fire.

Photo by: Palony of Valencia, of the "Ranch" fire I think. This was the closest one to us.

Photo by Marenghi of the "Ranch" fire in Castaic.

The Buckweed, Meadow Ridge, Magic, Aqua Dulce and Ranch fires are all the closest to us.
800 square miles have burned so far. Some of these are 100% contained, or are expected to be within 24 hours. But there are still 9 actively burning fires.


1 million evacuations

2,000 homes destroyed


11 people dead....... so far


Here, we are okay. The winds have shifted onshore, helping the firefighters. Our canyon is filling with smoke from the San Joaquin Valley, as the wind sucks it all back this way.

The wind has been blowing about 30 mph every day here, over the weekend and Monday it was about 65 mph.
We are scared.
But, we are okay for now.

Thank you to everyone who has emailed us and left comments. Our church is very involved in the efforts to help those evacuees left with nothing. They sent down two semi trucks full of food to San Diego on Monday.
Pray for them.
Pray that those responsible are caught.
Pray for our firefighters, they are stretched so thin right now.
Pray that no more fires are started.

I love you all,
Rachelle

I am happy to say that winds dying down in the fire ravaged areas have helped fire fighters. The winds have NOT died down here in the mountains, in fact they have picked up considerably again. But, all the fires near us with the exception of the "Ranch" fire are 100% contained now, and we have cloud cover. The marine layer is moving in, and will provide welcome cooler temps and moisture in the air to help the firefighters.
My husband reports rain in Bakersfield this morning. Let's hope it moves up here, I am weary from holding my breath.....


26 comments:

little things said...

I am sorry for all that were injured in this fire, and happy that you and your critters are safe.
I was pregnant with my second child during the Malibu fire in 93. I coughed for days and weeks, and couldn't believe how many ashes could continue to fall from the sky for so long....

singleton said...

Oh, we're praying sweetie, and praying hard....on every count.
peace~love and prayers

Casdok said...

I cant even begin to imagine what it must be like.
Prayers to all.

i beati said...

I thought of you a million zillion times and my brother in law in Irvine and friends South of there. oh the overwhelming saddness of it all, and to think of the wild animals who couldn't make it, but I have heard some heartwarming stories as well. Glad your precious family is safe and well. sandy kessler

Rachelle said...

Dear Karoline,
Thank you my friend for the hugs!
Slainte~
Rachelle

Rachelle said...

Dear Itlt,
I remember those fires. I lived in Lake Forest that year when the Laguna Beach fire swept through the canyon. It was terrible, ashes the size of 1/2 dollars rained for about 3 days straight.

Living in SoCal has become an occupational hazard these days I'm afraid!
With all the wildfires in the last few years, we haven't had a smoke free fire season that I can remember since moving up here.

My lungs will be happy for one, as will my stress level!
Slainte~
Rachelle

Rachelle said...

Dear Singleton,
Thank you my friend, prayers work!
Slainte~
Rachelle

Rachelle said...

Dear Casdok,
Thank you, thank you, thank you :))
I am a living testimony of the power of prayer!
Slainte~
Rachelle

Rachelle said...

Dear Sandy,
I am sort of glad I don't have television. I think I would get too sad!

With all the folks praying and thinking good thoughts for us, what could happen, right? :))
Slainte~
Rachelle

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Thank God, my dearest friend that you and yours are safe. I have been frantic for the past few days, and praying hard (as well as my kids, husband and dog and anyone else I could buton-hole) for you to escape this horror that has swept your neighbourhood. I hope you continue to be protected and shielded from this awful disaster, I am in terror (I do not use this word casually) for your well-being. Hold on, bonny lass, nothing lasts forever.. sending you so much love and positive thoughts - your friend, carol. ((x))

silfiriel said...

Glad to hear again from you Rachelle, you really got us worried. Glad to hear that things are getting down and cool, over there. i couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like these past few days surrounded with flames. Lets hope it won't ever happen again.

All the love from across the world.
Pozdrav.

mrsnesbitt said...

Sending you HUGS from here in Yorkshire. We have watched the terrible scenes on the news and said what an act of evil bastards this was.

Denise
xxx

i beati said...

Sending you precious rain!!

Anonymous said...

I saw a shot on the news over the weekend of some abandoned llamas who were running down a road in terror. I'm so glad you didn't have to evacuate and face the dilemma of what/who to take! We saw a little rain north of Malibu this weekend but it was a painfully small amount. At least the air has some humidity again. I heard that one of the "arson" fires was a guy who had gotten lost in the woods and thought that if he just made a little fire his friends would find him. More than his friends have found him now. Amazing. As for the rest of the arsonists, I can't think of a harsh enough sentence for anyone who has that little regard for human life and society. I am so grateful that my family in San Diego was unharmed and that you and yours are okay as well. What an unbelievable week. I'm finally getting to the point where I can turn off the t.v. to think of other things.

Mary said...

Hi Rachelle!
I'm Mary a friend of Miss Kessler,
She said you liked my Autumn Empress Drawing. If you want to see more of my art I could invite you to view my private blog called the Wanderer's Haven. Just email me at Sizzarea@Yahoo.com.

My prayers go out to you all in California. God bless!

Anonymous said...

I too, have been thinking/praying for you and yours. I had even pulled out a map to see where Lebec is. It's good to hear your area was not burned. Close call though.

Easybreathingfella said...

Hi Rachelle,
Having just returned from holiday in the company of many of your countrymen, many of which were truly concerned about the fires.
Having now seen your excellent report and graffic illustrations I can fully understand why.
I will hope and pray that you and your family and commuity remain safe.
Thinking of you through your troubles.
Regards
Keith.

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Hi sweetie, I'm just checking in with you, I hope all is as well as can be for you. I'm thinking of you. (x)

Victorya said...

I've been thinking of you a lot down there, hope the winds stay calm and you don't get too much smoke or ashes your way!

Catmoves said...

I'm glad you've survived with only some smoke damage. That can be fixed up (you've got plenty of time...hehehe).
We've been busy talking with and sending what aid we could to my Aunt in San Diego county. She's survived nicely in spite of her doctors.
Love you, glad you and yours are ok.
slainte

Anonymous said...

My ex GF had to evacuate.She lives in San Diego. Unknown if her home was destroyed.And the fires hit close to mom again.But she didn't have to evacuate. Most of the fires are contained now.But the winds are expected to pick up again:( Hope you liked my homepage update and the new pics.See you during the holidays

DILLY said...

Hope ok!
Dilly an Bob TB send hugs an hope ok!
¬"

silfiriel said...

hi rachelle
please come and just say "hi, we're ok"
how's it going these days?

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Where are you? Are you still safe? (hugs)

karoline in the morning said...

still thinking of you and wishing for peace..

k

Rachelle said...

Wow, I just want to say hi to everyone!
I have fallen behind on my blogging, that's for sure.

I am okay, thank you all for asking!

Dilly, thanks for the visit my dear!
I am happy to see you here :))

Denise, thank you for visiting me, :))

ibeati, nice to see you here!

hollywood, thanks, I know you know *exactly* what we've been going through here!

Shrink, Victorya, Easy, Silfiriel, Catmoves, Chewy..... um.... I'm Okay! LOL just out of the groove for the moment. I feel a bit like a record with a skip, doomed to repeat the same word over and over until someone smacks me upside the head! HA!

I promise to do better this blog entry! I do I do!

I love and thank you all for being there for me, I sincerely do.
((massive amounts of hugging))
Rachelle