For those of us 'outsiders', here is THE site about the fires to check:

http://www.fire.ca.gov:80/
It is a very topic specific and organized site. It also shows the available shelters and wether they were able to accept more people or not. These folks have their act together! It is impressive, the info they have.

I have to warn you tho, that you definitely have to know the 'lay of the 'land about who is where in relation to what'.. It is a big area and areas are defined by either old ranch areas or new 'neighborhood' names [I think]. Since I have and have had many friends in CA, I do worry for and about them. But getting it into my brain [I'm visual] is at times hard to grasp.

Melody, I have to tell you about 'fire retardants and foams'. I used to actually WORK [I was not a fire person] for a VFD and a pumper truck of FOAM costs $50K per truck. Not to mention as in sodas it has an expiration date? Fire retardants are very expensive, tho maybe not as much as foam-I do not know. But, I do understand that there can be 'ecological' concerns or repurcussions when they are used. So, in any fragile environment, such as are in areas of California, the benefits may not offset the side-effects. A lot of the fire departments in such 'suburbs' rely on donations for equipment [foam & trucks] training and supplies. That these folks have been working 24 hour days with 18 hour rest breaks is way beyond me. They deserve any and all respect we can give them.

Daniella, Kmeb, Shelley and David....I truly hope you and all are at least safe, better yet, not affected.

Had I not been to the West Coast ages ago [during a dry season] and actually seen how the land lays [lies?] could I grasp the issues you all face daily. From all I've read and have learned, the East Coast droughts of 10" below normal [about 1/3 less of normal] is peanuts compared to your what? A 2" for the year to date? Any your current NORMAL humidity of 2-8%? Gee I count myself lucky with anything under 50%. Granted I like it DRY? But honestly, not that much, thank you.

We do however live where we are. And we all make do. But for those with disabilities [mobility wise especially] this must be super scary and hard. It is surely hard enough without any impending weather/worldly threats!

Again.just check in to let all of us know you all are OK! That would help me sleep at nite. Good thoughts and pain free moments! - j

Does anyone on the west coast know if James Michener or another wrote a book about the Coast? That would certainly help others gain a grasp of the long term and short term 'evolutions' of the area. Onward!

Oh about the 'foam thing'? A big pumper truck full of foam is good for about ONE intersection car crash [where the leaking gas has or might catch on fire]...just an FYI