We Are On Fire!!!!

[Calstate361]

I would like to say again from the NorCal folks that we are all glad to hear that all of you are doing OK and also a BIG THANK YOU to all of the people involved in coordination, fighting, protecting, and getting service up an running again.

As the Cowardly Lion (from Wizzard of OZ) says:  I do belive in miracles, I do believe in miracles, I DO, I DO, I DO!

Joan

[Dee4j]

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

A BIG THANK YOU to all of you...I met some firefighters last night Brandon, Billy, Joe & Eric from Merced fire dept. They came in to get something to eat where I work. They were staying in the Hotel next store.. A great group of firefighters...again THANK YOU ALL!!!

[griffsdad]

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 live in Foothill Ranch and this was the second fire in 10 years. Words cannot express our deepest thanks for all the hard work you and your fellow fire fighters did in containing the Santiago Fire and the rest of the fires in California. I'm reminded of words from Winston Churchill to the young fighter pilots protecting their country during the Battle of Britain. "Never in the field of human conflict did so many owe so much to so few". So many owe a big thanks for a job well done in fighting these devastating fires.

[Dee4j]

Kevin has a band tourney in SD this weekend at Mirs Mesa HS it's off mira mesa Blvd between the 805 & 15.. are there any road closures down there due to the fires??

[Sue Hardee]

Kevin has a band tourney in SD this weekend at Mirs Mesa HS it's off mira mesa Blvd between the 805 & 15.. are there any road closures down there due to the fires??

Mira Mesa is right next to where we live...the 15 is wide open and i beleive everything you will use will be open also.  The skys are blue today and smell is much better....Good luck to Kevin...All our high schools  Are triple A's and compete in those tournaments.  I remember when our Daughter Becky was in band and we went to many tournaments...it was so much fun and unblievable how great the kids can perform...its like watching a professional  musical performance.  I would cry because I was so proud of all the kids..These kids don't get the acalates like when they play sports....But they work as hard as anyone that is in sports...My oldest was an athelete and my youngest was a band nerd.   I was proud of both... One was injured for life and one was not, guess which one?

[Dee4j]

Mira Mesa is right next to where we live...the 15 is wide open and i beleive everything you will use will be open also.  The skys are blue today and smell is much better....Good luck to Kevin...All our high schools  Are triple A's and compete in those tournaments.  I remember when our Daughter Becky was in band and we went to many tournaments...it was so much fun and unblievable how great the kids can perform...its like watching a professional  musical performance.  I would cry because I was so proud of all the kids..These kids don't get the acalates like when they play sports....But they work as hard as anyone that is in sports...My oldest was an athelete and my youngest was a band nerd.   I was proud of both... One was injured for life and one was not, guess which one?

Gee I think I can guess...I'm glad Kevin is a band geek :p
I go to the ER enough!!

my plan is to go from campland 5 N to 52 E to 805 N exit Mira Mesa Blvd does that sound right?

[Sue Hardee]

Gee I think I can guess...I'm glad Kevin is a band geek :p
I go to the ER enough!!

my plan is to go from campland 5 N to 52 E to 805 N exit Mira Mesa Blvd does that sound right?

Try to get thru all these area before 3:00 p.m all roads leading to SD are terrible by 3:00  and the military get out then also which will impact Mira Mesa Blvd.

[Camping Coxes]

These kids don't get the acalates like when they play sports....But they work as hard as anyone that is in sports...My oldest was an athelete and my youngest was a band nerd. I was proud of both... One was injured for life and one was not, guess which one?

My kids are fond of reminding me I was a band nerd.  And I remind them that I got to go to San Francisco, including all the coastal stuff along the way, twice for 5 day tours, and I also went to Hawaii to perform for 7 days, all because I was a band nerd.  I'm still in close contact with one friend from high school -- a fellow band nerd (and softball and Girl Scouts).

[Dee4j]

Try to get thru all these area before 3:00 p.m all roads leading to SD are terrible by 3:00  and the military get out then also which will impact Mira Mesa Blvd.

even on Saturday?? actually we are dropping Kevin off at 9 am and heading down to SD They will be at the field by 1 pm so we will too.

Sue I think I have your number but if you don't mind will you pm me it just is case

Thanks

[kimrb266]

One of the parents in Sarah's class just came back from fighting the fires for 2 weeks. He is in the Reserves and he couldn't believe the devistation. It was very nice to see him and that he returned safe. He's now waiting to hear when he's going to be deploid overseas.
 
Coodoos to all that fought to put these fires out. It's hard work and we appreciate all that they do.

[griffsmom]

I posted a few of the pictures that I took during the fire. Some of them are a bit blurry because they were taken at night, but you still get the idea.  It was beyond scary.

 
http://family.webshots.com/album/561306803qPLkBG

[Dee4j]

I posted a few of the pictures that I took during the fire. Some of them are a bit blurry because they were taken at night, but you still get the idea.  It was beyond scary.

 
http://family.webshots.com/album/561306803qPLkBG

That is scary!! I've been there done that when I lived in Newbury  Park...what fun evacuated horses etc...for as much as I love my campfire..fire really does scare the %$^%$ outta me

I LOVED the morning after picture, it's actually beautiful...much better than I look the morning after :eyecrazy:  :J

[griffsmom]

I LOVED the morning after picture, it's actually beautiful...much better than I look the morning after :eyecrazy: :J

I suppose you could look at the effect of smoke and smog on sunrises and sunsets as God's silver lining...

[TheViking]

I LOVED the morning after picture, it's actually beautiful...much better than I look the morning after :eyecrazy: :J

 
 
Try--ing... to... hold.....back......:yikes:

[wavery]

Great pics Lori. I liked them best because there were no homes burnt in them :sombraro:

Those houses are well built, with fires in mind. I am sure that is why they didn't evacuate you.