Firestorm 2003

[Steve-o-bud]

Hoosierpop here (Hollypop's DH)
I'm just finishing up my 5th 12+ hour day here in the newsroom of the San Diego Union-Tribune. My job has been working with the CDF and creating a full page map outlining the fire's footprint. Very devestating!!! While at work on Sunday Holly and the kids were at home. Reports were rolling in on the speed of the fireline. It came within 1-2 miles of our home, we are a stones throw from the Mission Trails Regional Park, which it hit a portion of (Tierrasanta neighborhood). When the TV station mentioned our neighborhood that's when the family headed out with all our photos, documents, dog and cat. Luckily the fire was contained and didn't spread any closer to home. The air for the past four days as been grey and filled with ash. I don't know how many times I've hosed down the sidewalks, patio, car and pool area. This weekend I need to clean out the pool filter, the pool was grey from ash. What is very touching is where it's spread thru Julian and Cuyamaca State Park. We were just camping up at Paso Picacho on SR-79 south of Julian. The  drive home was breathtaking, noting all the horses, beautiful scenery and fresh air and dreaming how cool it would be to live up there with horses, etc. Now, it all looks like a war zone. Anyhow, it's time to get tomorrow's map proofed thru the copydesk and try and get home before midnight. I think I've seen DW a total 5 hours this week. The good news is we're going camping next weekend in the desert at Agua Caliente State Park for 4 nights and plan on enjoying the natural spring-fed pool (always 89

[Hoosierpop]

For those interested in tracking updates this link from the CDF has somewhat updated info. Click on the fire of your choice,  then in the left column  you'll see

[Dee4j]

friends of ours lost their  home to the OLD Fire in San BERN. These fires were a great tragedy to many. I have lived in SoCal all my life and never seen wildfires like these.

[gsm x2]

friends of ours lost their  home to the OLD Fire in San BERN. These fires were a great tragedy to many. I have lived in SoCal all my life and never seen wildfires like these.

Ditto that.  Rarely hear of lost house in the 10's, almost never in the 100's and NEVER in the thousands.  

gsm x2

[Hoosierpop]

Hey Camping Coxes, Over the weekend we had a story in our Business section on the bed & breakfast community with a map that list what got hit. Here's a summary:

[Camping Coxes]

[Camping Coxes]

Do you by chance have a listing of injured or killed residents of the area? At least I'd know that much. Or even a listing of personal homes (not businesses) that were lost also?

I got an E-mail and then a call from my friends.  Their personal home was not burned, but it's uninhabitable from smoke damage.  It's being repairs and electrical lines are being restrung.  On the B&B, it burned, yet the rose garden alongside of it is intact and roses are blooming.  Go figure.  They said the burned ground is patchy -- one area is black, and ten feet away is a green meadow untouched.  But at least I know they're physicall okay, and they had good insurance.  Some things cannot be replaced, but that's the reality of any kind of disaster.
 
Thanks HoosierPop for all your help.  You gave me the most information I've gotten through all this.

[Dave]

Our friends own a B&B in the Pine Hills area, near the Pine Hills Lodge.  From the path of the fire on the Julian map, it looks like it went right through their area.

If you are speaking of the White House, unfortunately it is gone.

[Camping Coxes]

Our friends own a B&B in the Pine Hills area, near the Pine Hills Lodge. From the path of the fire on the Julian map, it looks like it went right through their area.
 
If you are speaking of the White House, unfortunately it is gone.

I was, and I was finally able to contact the owners and they're fine.  Do you live in the Julian area, since you knew what I was talking about?
 
I just got an old roll film developed and on it were pictures we took last time we were there.  It was very sad to see it and realize it's not there anymore , but at least we have our memories.