I had my first moment of panic today when I tried to call my sister and all I got was “network busy” on her land line. I’ve been careful not to call her on her cell phone, but even the land lines are maxing out, I’m sure with calls from concerned relatives and friends…in addition to all the emergency phone traffic.
The rest of the country finally woke up that this fire is a big deal. I got my first CNN alert today. And 20/20 had a special about the fires. I watched the show until I got disgusted with an over-the-top promo for the next segment on fire tornadoes. I had my fill of “20/20’s California Burning.”
I’ll stick to the dispassionate, but no less colorful coverage from the LA Times, etc.
And, of course, I’ll do my own reporting on the family.
Sisters and housemates are fine. They’re taking in evacuees and making sure they have water and nonperishables stored. I gave them my “stock up for disaster” speech, with the added urging to save water in case the infrastructure crashes from the crush of evacuees.
So far, their urban area is safe. Just smoke and ash outside. Plus no work or school. None of this can be good for their lungs. And mom has all kinds of breathing problems.
Mom is still OK a few miles up north, though the evacuation line seems to be getting closer, within two miles.
Virtual Farmgirl 
I have heard reports that there are 500,000 to one million evacuees. Each morning, I wake up to 2-3 new fires. The air is rich with smoke and fallen ash. Fires are surrounding the downtown area, and at one point today, freeways were closed throughout San Diego. There are wind gusts from 60-100 mph throughout the county fueling the fires…though these past few days have been terribly surreal, I am amazed to the extent of outreach and support. It comforts me to watch so many people at their best.
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I have heard reports that there are 500,000 to one million evacuees. Each morning, I wake up to 2-3 new fires. The air is rich with smoke and fallen ash. Fires are surrounding the downtown area, and at one point today, freeways were closed throughout San Diego. There are wind gusts from 60-100 mph throughout the county fueling the fires…though these past few days have been terribly surreal, I am amazed to the extent of outreach and support. It comforts me to watch so many people at their best.
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