We Are On Fire!!!!

[Dee4j]

I just sent an e-mail to popupmamma

[Dee4j]

Roberta (popupmamma) e-mailed me back, they are all fine but have a mess to clean up like Sue & Dave. They were evacuated and things were scary. She didn't mention the Allen family so I'm hoping no news is good news. She said she was going to try to post today..

[JimQPublic]

Just found out that a shirttail cousin lost his place near Arrowhead.  Good news is that it's a vacation home and he had insurance.  In other words no family heirlooms and he still has a place to live.  Unfortunately a blown water pipe in the upstairs bathroom soaked the entire house for two weeks earlier this year.  Insurance covered about $40k and they spent another $40k out of pocket to replace all the drywall and flooring along with some redecorating.  It was finished up one week before the fire took it.  They got to spend one night in their spruced up cabin.

Another camping friend (not on this list) who lives in Arrowhead full time is 95% sure that her house made it, though houses burned on the next street downslope.

[wavery]

Just found out that a shirttail cousin lost his place near Arrowhead.  Good news is that it's a vacation home and he had insurance.  In other words no family heirlooms and he still has a place to live.  Unfortunately a blown water pipe in the upstairs bathroom soaked the entire house for two weeks earlier this year.  Insurance covered about $40k and they spent another $40k out of pocket to replace all the drywall and flooring along with some redecorating.  It was finished up one week before the fire took it.  They got to spend one night in their spruced up cabin.

Another camping friend (not on this list) who lives in Arrowhead full time is 95% sure that her house made it, though houses burned on the next street downslope.

We still don't know if Carolyn's daughter's house made it. It was in the worst hit area of RS so it doesn't look good. I'll probably be going up there as soon as they open the road.

[wavery]

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Here are some pics:
http://family.webshots.com/album/561212756tuufdP
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Pic #48-#82 are from my brother's house.

I updated my pics and put some captions if anyone is interested. The pictures don't tell much if you don't know what they are.

To view these pics properly, after clicking on the 1st pick, click on the + on the right side (next to "Full size"), that will increase that pic, then click on the pic, that will increase the size again. To return to the list, just click you "Back" button.

[Dee4j]

We still don't know if Carolyn's daughter's house made it. It was in the worst hit area of RS so it doesn't look good. I'll probably be going up there as soon as they open the road.

glad to hear your place in Fallbrook was ok and hope carolyns daughter is too..

[wavery]

glad to hear your place in Fallbrook was ok and hope carolyns daughter is too..

Thanks......puts a whole different spin on our joking around about fire......Who'dve thunk... :eyecrazy:

[Dee4j]

Thanks......puts a whole different spin on our joking around about fire......Who'dve thunk... :eyecrazy:

Joking  :confused:   just kidding ... :J

[PopUpMomma]

Hi All.....
we are great.  And so are the Allen's  We were asked to evacuate twice and both times it was a mistake.  But that was ok.  As I keep all of you and all the families, the fire fighters that are still in the hospital, the firefighters who worked to safe homes, which incudes two of my brothers and a cousin in ramona, the families that have lost their homes and worse, the loss of  family members, in my prayers at night, I ask all to also keep in mind our ultility workers who now are working around the clock trying to repair and get power and gas to people who still have homes standing.  Trying to shut down power and gas to make it safe for others to do their jobs.....My son is one of those and although he is young, I can see the despair of what they are working in along with the extremly long hours that they are working is taking a toll on him and his co-workers.  Please keep those workers in mind when you count your blessings at night.....Now......DEEP BREATH.....let's go camping!!!!!

I'm also concerned about popupmamma and the allen family anyone know where in SD they live?
the air is horrid here..I have the AC on.

[wavery]

Hi All.....
we are great.  And so are the Allen's  We were asked to evacuate twice and both times it was a mistake.  But that was ok.  As I keep all of you and all the families, the fire fighters that are still in the hospital, the firefighters who worked to safe homes, which incudes two of my brothers and a cousin in ramona, the families that have lost their homes and worse, the loss of  family members, in my prayers at night, I ask all to also keep in mind our ultility workers who now are working around the clock trying to repair and get power and gas to people who still have homes standing.  Trying to shut down power and gas to make it safe for others to do their jobs.....My son is one of those and although he is young, I can see the despair of what they are working in along with the extremly long hours that they are working is taking a toll on him and his co-workers.  Please keep those workers in mind when you count your blessings at night.....Now......DEEP BREATH.....let's go camping!!!!!

Thanks for posting. These fires effected so many people. Glad all is well.

[BootheBunch]

Hi All.....
we are great.  And so are the Allen's  We were asked to evacuate twice and both times it was a mistake.  But that was ok.  As I keep all of you and all the families, the fire fighters that are still in the hospital, the firefighters who worked to safe homes, which incudes two of my brothers and a cousin in ramona, the families that have lost their homes and worse, the loss of  family members, in my prayers at night, I ask all to also keep in mind our ultility workers who now are working around the clock trying to repair and get power and gas to people who still have homes standing.  Trying to shut down power and gas to make it safe for others to do their jobs.....My son is one of those and although he is young, I can see the despair of what they are working in along with the extremly long hours that they are working is taking a toll on him and his co-workers.  Please keep those workers in mind when you count your blessings at night.....Now......DEEP BREATH.....let's go camping!!!!!

Glad to hear from you!!  Doubley-glad you are alright!!

Take care!
Lisa

[griffsmom]

Roberta, thank you so much for letting us know that both you and the Allen family are safe!!!!  Dave and I feel so blessed, and yet guilty, that despite the scare we had with the fire in our area, we didn't face anything close to what you have gone through in San Diego. I guess you could call it a little bit of survivor's guilt. Please let u sknow if there is anything you need that we can help with.

 
We will definitely keep the utility workers in our prayers along with the firefighters, policemen, and everyone else affected by this tragedy. There are so many unsung heroes in times like these.

[wavery]

In Fallbrook and other places over SoCal, the firefighters, utility workers and others worked VERY hard to avoid a catastrophe and I say, "God bless all of them".

I would just like to point out that many of the homes in the Fallbrook area are in un-incorporated areas. They have no fire protection services and no fire insurance (the insurance companies will not cover them). The home owners worked very hard to save theirs and their neighbors homes. As you can see in my pics, these are no small homes. Many of them are very large estates. Homes in excess of 6,000 sq ft. and beautiful properties. Almost all of these people have swimming pools that supply their own fire fighting equipment.

I just think that these people contributed to minimizing the damage that was done and limiting the spread of this fire. They should be recognized for their efforts.

I just simply can't get over the fact that, that fire didn't take out that entire town. It was sooooooo close to getting completely out of control. 60-90mph winds whipped that fire at an incredible rate, sending burning embers for miles.

[Mpsabatt]

I have just returned from fighting the fires in So.Cal. I took a strike team(five engines fifteen fire fighters) to the Malibo fire and when the wind died down and that fire became manageable we were sent to the Santiago fire. My strike team was made up of two volunteer engines from Mariposa,one engine from Los Banos,one engine from Merced county ,and one from Merced City.It is heart breaking to see homes being devoured by a wild fire.You can be thankful that Ca.has a mutual aid system that can muster the resources needed to combat these fires.Actually we try to protect the homes and Bus. from the flames.We went into one box canyon with 37 homes and after the fire had passed through the canyon we had 37 homes still standing.In fire camp we mingled with firefighters from as far away as Shasta Ca.There were alot of volunteer firefighters from around the state.On one day our Div.Boss was from Ariz.In one of the canyons we were there way in advance of the flame front and worked very hard at preping the homes.We were moving flamables away from the homes and even piles of firewood.These are things you should do if you have time befor you evacuate.The striketeam took up a collection for the folks that lost thier homes in the Modjeska canyon. Thanks for your prayers

[wavery]

I have just returned from fighting the fires in So.Cal. I took a strike team(five engines fifteen fire fighters) to the Malibo fire and when the wind died down and that fire became manageable we were sent to the Santiago fire. My strike team was made up of two volunteer engines from Mariposa,one engine from Los Banos,one engine from Merced county ,and one from Merced City.It is heart breaking to see homes being devoured by a wild fire.You can be thankful that Ca.has a mutual aid system that can muster the resources needed to combat these fires.Actually we try to protect the homes and Bus. from the flames.We went into one box canyon with 37 homes and after the fire had passed through the canyon we had 37 homes still standing.In fire camp we mingled with firefighters from as far away as Shasta Ca.There were alot of volunteer firefighters from around the state.On one day our Div.Boss was from Ariz.In one of the canyons we were there way in advance of the flame front and worked very hard at preping the homes.We were moving flamables away from the homes and even piles of firewood.These are things you should do if you have time befor you evacuate.The striketeam took up a collection for the folks that lost thier homes in the Modjeska canyon. Thanks for your prayers

I certainly appreciate the hard work, dedication and training that you guys have. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for the coordination and management of this tragedy.

Everybody sees and appreciates the guys on the fire lines. There is NO DOUBT that these guys are incredible in their efforts and results.

I would also like to give a BIG "THANK YOU" to the management and other coordinators behind the scenes that are often over-looked.

I don't think that many people realize how close these fires were to becoming a real catastrophe. As I traveled around Fallbrook, it was so mind boggling that they were able to stop that fire in such dry conditions in extremely high winds. It is absolutely remarkable. I am sure that the other areas are similar.