Fire and Lightning

Had a very close fire this week, houses burned. Now contained. We drove the burnt area this weekend. It saddens me so much for those who are facing the loss. Some stay to the last minute hosing down their roofs. It was called the Trabing Fire. This picture was taken about 16 miles north, from Santa Cruz.

We had a thunderstorm with lightening Friday (no rain) so many of the lightning strikes started numerous fires throughout the state.

I couldn't believe my ears tonight when they said on the news, Governor Swartzenegger announced there are presently 520 wildfires in CA.

My asthma has been well controlled this last year but not now. There's no place I can go to get away from the smoke. The usual ways out are blocked from day to day.

Truly, I am NOT in personal danger from the fires, per se. It's the smoke that's tough to take.

The "Trabing" Fire was so close that leaves were lifted off the eucalyptus trees and flung all around town, and of course it snowed ash for days.

It was a very hot day when it started. I had just put my cat in the car to take to the vet. I had put ice packs around her carrier to keep her cool, plus I had the air conditioner going. It doesn't go into the back seat very well.

Just a few blocks from my house I suddenly noticed a big plume of smoke. I decided to not take the freeway because it looked to me that fire might be on the other side of it. So, I drove through town. But, the further into town I went the more I realized the fire was a lot closer than I thought. The plume looked more like a bomb had gone off. By that time, there was traffic on the streets. I decided to turn around and went back home.

It was later that I learned the fire was burning the forested area that grows right up to the edge of town near the airport and hospital.

Moving Away from Fires?

Someone has made a suggestion that I consider moving out of California. Over the years I have lived all over the country. My first husband was in the military. I am living now where I want to live.

Asthma and allergies can be where ever one lives. (Mold, Humidity, plants one is allergic to, ice cold winters)

Of course, the fires this year are really bothersome. In the early 60's, I lived in Los Angeles where the smog was really bad, similar to the air quality going on around me right now. But it was just as bad in Buffalo NY, as well as Indianapolis when I lived there.

I figure wherever any of us live, natural phenomena is going to affect us in some way or another.

Fires are a natural part of life here. It's just that this year has been way over the norm. It's been a dry drought summer. With the Summit fire, nearby, I drove up to San Francisco and stayed at my son's house, and could do it now if I feel it necessary. For part of the fires he was getting smoked out, too.

Regardless of the smoke, I'd rather stay here at home where I am most comfortable and everything I need is available. I'd rather sleep in my own bed than my son's sofa.

Presently, the largest fire is expected to be contained by the end of this month.

Too Many WildFires

Not all the fires are still burning.

So far we have had 1700 in the state since May.

I have lived here a long time and have never seen so many wildfires.

The fire closest to me right now has been burning since June 21 and has decimated 190 square miles of national forest.

The air quality is very bad, everything is smokey.

My asthma is really aggravated.

Asthma Fires

I have recently been asked for an update on the new fires in my region. A new one called the Basin Complex Fire is in the same county where I live. Though it is probably at least 30 miles away, the smoke spreads over the area. As long as I stay inside it doesn't bother my asthma much. I have a small air conditioner in the bedroom and I can hole up in there with my books, computer, and TV if necessary.

There is a bigger fire south of me about 40 miles or more. It's called the Indians Fire  It's presently at about 10,000 acres.  It's more brush and grass than the other, they say, and in a more uninhabited area.

Locally, over a thousand have been evacuated. Though it is a smaller fire than the other one, it involves Redwood trees. I am saddened that there are fires at all, but also saddened that the trees are being burned.

All in all there have been hundreds fires in California right now

more info on those fires:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_2008_California_wildfires

Seeds of Hope

The Fire is completely contained. They are now spreading seed.

Hopefully, it will grow enough brush that next winter when the big rains come, there will be minimal mud slides.

I am leaving for Southern California area Friday.

I am riding down with Xavier and Trish.

Will be staying a week and visiting Gretchen, with some time with Laurie.

Alex was so excited that he kept jumping up and down. He looks like he's floating in the pic.

Home Again

I'm back home now with house closed up and air filters running.

The temperature has dropped and we are having a little bit of rain, so this makes it easier on the firefighters.

Hopefully they can get the fire contained! I hate to see the forest decimated like this. In the winter and spring when we get heavy rains there is nothing to prevent the mudslides.

Thank heavens the weather is cooler, and wind is in opposite direction.

The smoke from the is not so bad.

Escaping Smoke

Had to escape from the "Summit Fire" nearby. Ash and smoke everywhere.

The part of California where I live has patches of redwood forest encroached upon by civilization. The fire started in a rural area about 7 miles from where I live. Even though I am in a city (and surrounded by strawberry fields), I am well protected from it spreading to my area or home.

Strong southerly winds drove the smoke and ash directly into town, and further. I haven't had an asthma attack in at least a year and I didn't want to wait around to see what would happen.

Since my son and his wife live in San Francisco, it made sense to go stay up there. Conveniently, I had a medical appointment today at UCSF. So, I used a tank of gas to complete two tasks at $4.15 a gallon!

The fire has moved further up the mountain and since the wind has turned north, I think it's safe to go home and sleep in my own bed tomorrow. The weatherman says it looks like we will be having rain this weekend.

The picture, I took with my cell phone as I drove east out of town. Notice the size of the trees in the middle line and you can get an idea of the size of the cloud of smoke. It was approximately seven miles away, in Corralitos. The hills in the background are where the fire has now moved.

Note:
See more info from Wikepedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summit_Fire