Oregon is getting a misty rain and temps are dropping
we had a 2.5 day heat wave - now it's over

but maybe some of it will dip low enough to help CA

OCCHIC-O-LA and STARBURST
Im so happy to hear you are ok
If you need anything CALL me
We have 2 unused rooms available for anyone's needs.

yes, definitely hot, 96 here this afternoon, by the beach where it is rarely above 80 even in the worst part of summer.

i hope everyone remains OK.

Yes Hope, you're correct that things are far from over, hope it didn't sound as though I was implying they were. In fact, it sounds as though there have been some setbacks in just the last hour or two. OC, it must be very smokey indeed near you, am concerned and hope you aren't having respiratory problems.....Even though I'm farther away, the smoke is settling in my lungs and making me feel like **** so I can only imagine what it must be like closer to the action.

Hubby just drove by on the way home and said things look terrible.

Do hope everyone is doing ok.

thanks guys for checking in!!
I hope all is well for all of you
my thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Love and hugs,
Victoria

ps look forward to seeing all of you soon!
love V

I spoke to one of the fireman that owned a home up in Lake Arrowhead. His house was lost in the fire. He said that it looks like a disaster zone up there and it is still burning.. My heart goes out to so many that have lost there homes and sentimental belongings that can never be replaced.
I hope that everyone stays safe and thanks to everyone for checking in on us..
Many Hugs
Dawn

Hi guys,

Just to let you know we are thinking of you down under. Im hearing terrible things on the news and hope you are all o.k.

Keep safe everyone.

Ozzys

Everybody stay safe!!!!!



Peggy

I am near Starburst and OCGirl,

We have ashes falling and have had since yesterday. All schools in our school district have been closed. Our high school is a one way in, one way out proposition; except for a dirt path, that, in an emergency, could be utilized, providing, that it was also not on fire. The high school is nicely nestled at the end of the 241, in brush country. Their "emergency path" would take kids through more brush and brush covered hills, to get to "safety". Am glad they closed that school, as that area burned back in 2003 and is probably ready for another burn.

Since, hystorically, all the idiot, dysfunctional arsonists come out when we have a spurt of fires around here, I have been out watering down the yard, bushes, etc. Anything to reduce the heat around here (it is pretty hot/dry where I am at). We had the yard cleared, trees topped, brushes trimmed a week before, when we heard that the winds were possibly on their way.

We are not in danger, but, there are hills (dry brush) close by, and if some stupid, deviant arsonist sets them on fire, we are in trouble. We were evacuated back in 2003, when flames were only a mile or so away. I had a neighbor's young child over at my house, along with my own, and he was sure he was going to burn to death.

I would never downplay these things, as kids, especially have no idea how these things will play out, and can be quite frightened. It was difficult to calm him down, and deal with my own concerned kids. At that time, hubby was stuck in traffic, and couldn't get back home. It worked out, but was tough on the younger kids.

My brother fought fires out here back when there were no houses out on these hills. He had worked in forestry since college, had been a hotshot, firefighter, jumping from planes, cutting lines, going wherever there were fires (up and down california, and out of state).

He was injured fighting an arsonist fire up in the hills of los angeles. A boulder came loose and tumbled down on him after all the brush, bushes, and trees had been obliterated. The boulder snapped his leg. He had to be air lifted. If the fire had been nearby, he would not have been able to get himself out of there.

He loved to fight fires, but hated the devastation, especially when caused by arsonists, or plain stupid people who ignored warnings, lit their campfire, roasted marshmallows, gulped down 'smores, and then watched the wind carry it, setting fire to the surrounding forest and habitat.

I give thanks to all the firefighters out there doing their job, even if they are not able to help everyone, or save everything. It is a part of living in this area. People need to use common sense, and understand that just the heat of a approaching wall of fire can cause houses to explode; and that as long as there are fires burning, there are copycats out here capable of adding to the conflagration.

I am still waiting to hear from my dad about how family and friends down in San Diego fared (all were evacuated). We still don't know if they have homes to go back to. Sucks.

So Cal may not be completely on fire, but, for those that have lived here a long time, and have extended family, friends from Los Angeles down to San Diego, it certainly feels like we are all affected somehow. At this point, am just holding my breath to find out how everyone has fared.

I would have to say, things are certainly not "peachy" here, yet.

my best to all.

The ashes are falling like snow, but the smoke is clearing , it seems to be hanging around in pockets. I hope everyone is safe now.
Thanks for thinking of us.