California wildfires - Kittens check in!

[BBOvenGuy]

It seems like half of Southern California is on fire.

Where I am, in Ventura County, the fires are a safe distance away, but the smoke has been horrendous. For a look at what things were like when I was driving down the I-5 on Sunday, check out my LiveJournal entry here:

http://bbovenguy.livejournal.com/410482.html

My aunt and uncle are in Carlsbad. They were given a voluntary evacuation notice, and have packed up their car in case things get worse. I know some former Kittens with family members in similar situations.

So how's it going for all of you? Are the other Southern California Kittens doing all right?

[gorn]

A much appreciated thread, BBOvenGuy!

My Uncle and his girlfriend had to evacuate from Fallbrook; they're staying with friends in Mission Viejo. They spent hours on the road, though; sounds like traffic was re-routed through Camp Pendleton to avoid the fires. They didn't call us until after 1am last night. Glad they made it out, first & foremost ... but my Dad is a little worried about their house. He and his brothers built that house back in the 60's, and it's still got all my grandparent's stuff in it. Old, old stuff that can't really be replaced, you know?

I hope everything turns out OK, but this fire looks pretty damn bad ...

[mscheckmate]

So far, my relatives in Santa Clarita and the San Diego area have been able to leave the evacuation centers and go home. The fires are burning farther away from their houses, so they are out of danger for now. We haven't been able to reach my cousin in Canyon Country, but she should be all right because the fire was not near her neighborhood.

[xita]

I know we have the best firefighters and resources. It's a testament to the low casualty number and that they are really using every resource out there.

It's cooling down so it should get better plus the winds finally died down. Unfortunately without the wind the smoke is just settling in where I am. I am hoping it's better tomorrow cause it was quite bad today, as bad as I've ever seen it.

[mscheckmate]

I can personally vouch for the Orange County Fire Authority. I've seen them make quick work of several fires over the years in the Santiago Canyon area. Some of the OCFA officials, though, have been complaining this week that they did not get air support (water-dropping helicopters and planes) until Tuesday. They feel that if they had gotten air drops on Sunday, they might have been able to keep the fire from spreading. The good thing is that the newer developments in the fire area were constructed with fire defense in mind: fire-safe landscaping, wider streets, and fire-resistant home construction. This has made a huge difference so far in the outcome of that fire.

With so many massive fires burning at once, personnel and equipment are going to be stretched thin at times. I am incredibly grateful for the amazing work the firefighters are doing. And average citizens and businesses are stepping up and volunteering to help those displaced by the fires.

[gorn]

Looks like my uncle's place is OK so far. My folks heard somewhere that you should try calling the house and see if their answering machine picks up. Of course, it only works if you've got an actual machine in the house, not an answering service. Luckily, my uncle is still a couple of decades short of the 21st century - they called his house and his machine picked up. Word on the street is they're going to hear Saturday if/when they can go home.