To get you up to date since I'm sure my info is more current (and it's on all the channels instead of any regular programming ... NBC is reairing Monday night primetime on Sunday for us), the current count of evacuated residents in San Diego is 300,000 and as of this morning there were at least 1,000 homes and another 100 commercial properties burned down.
I just heard an updated California wide count (LA and San Diego basically) and it's at 500,000 people evacuated and 200,000 acres burned. The Witch Creek fire (denoted in one of the pics below) alone is at 145,000 acres.
The fires have encircled San Diego, from Fallbrook/Ramona to the north to the mountains east (and a little fire started about 5 miles east of me near Tierrasanta) and there's a big fire that started near the Mexico border and is coming north towards Chula Vista and Spring Valley that they say is getting close to a housing development of like 2500 homes. (that damn wall we built keeps it away from Mexico :). The thing that's really creepy is that they've done mandatory and voluntary evacuations from Fallbrook/Poway all the way due west to the ocean ... The OCEAN.
I guess this is the almighty punishing us for not getting rid of the Chargers yet.
Anywho, here are some pictures of what things look like ... if the weather cooperates, I'm sure everything will come under control in the next few days ... if it continues to act like a bitch, then I might start packing up a few things and hope that I can get through one of the fires since they've closed certain freeways and maybe I'll live in Chicago and just dodge blizzards for a while. :)
GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY! I am just happy to hear that you are okay. These pictures are f'n mindblowing. I saw what was happening at Pepperdine, and trying to envision the same thing happening at 'ol BU. It is odd that wind in the one picture is blowing towards the ocean, instead of eastward as it does here, but maybe that's how things go on that side of the Rockies. Stay safe, duder!
ReplyDeleteAlso, you forgot to put where you live in relation to that burned out car.
ReplyDeleteThe wind blowing towards the ocean is a big reason why the fires are so strong and how they got going.
ReplyDeleteWhen the wind blows westward from in the inland area, that means it's warm wind and is called the Santa Ana winds.
They're hot, dry and lovely for fires.
On the bright side, a bunch of us are getting together today to make a big dinner to try and find some joy in all of this mess ...
Thanks to all of you for the support and think cool thoughts and calm breezes for us.
That car is about 15 miles north-northeast of me. I already checked, they didn't leave any good CDs in the glovebox.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a BBQ is it?
ReplyDeletesmoke outside prevents it ... just a few minutes outdoors and you feel like ass ... sadly, the food will be prepared indoors ... :(
ReplyDeleteJosh is right, this is mind-blowing... it looks like Judgement Day out there. How are your folks doing? Hope you all stay safe... let us know if there's anything we can do. The USPS is halting mail delivery to many of these areas, so I probably can't overnight you a copy of Maximum Overdrive on DVD... but if you you need cash, a place to stay, whatever, you name it. We're here.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys ... it looks like things should be okay, tomorrow should see the wind die down more and the humidity start to rise.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all the support. Really, it's just like having a very, very, very odd week off of work at this point.
The worst thing for me is that all of the networks preempted their primetime shows so I'll be looking for all of my shows online I guess.
All of my friends and family are fine as far as I know. I know people who have loved ones that are evacuated or are probably going to have to leave soon but so far my circle seems to be okay.
I'll post if anything really new pops up but now that the federal and state agencies are a bit up to speed (and more importantly the weather is starting to help out), I think the worst is over.
Hopefully, I don't have to repost a similar thing in another four years. This whole sky of smoke and ash is getting annoying.
Well, you may be rid of the Chargers for this weekend anyway, with everybody holing up in Qualcomm stadium. Although after what allegedly happened at the Superdome, I'd saty away from there.
ReplyDeleteThis is all somehow related to Al Gore winning the Nobel Prize.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, hang in there. If shit gets too rough, just start driving towards Chicago. Without Josh to lose the gas cap, you should make it all the way. Then you can become my daughter's nanny and hilarity will ensue.
I think having me as a constant influence in her life would do little more than ensure she ends up a card-carrying lesbian who starts up Lilith Fair II. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I do blame Al Gore ... someone check his coat for a matchbook.
Lilith Fair II....I believe that is the name of JackEdge's 35th Live album...
ReplyDeleteGoddammit! I'll never live down the gas cap thing. I was hopped up on Truckers Choice, allright?
ReplyDeleteWait, you were hoarding Truckers Choice and didn't share!?! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was in the center console! If wouldn't have been driving drunk I am sure you would have remembered.
ReplyDeleteVodka is my weakness ... that's true.
ReplyDelete