Monday, October 22, 2007

The Fires

It's in the air... we can't see it, but we are breathing in the smoke. Our cars and yards are covered in ash... our eyes burn and our throats sting. School has been canceled, roads are closed and we are closing our windows and turning on the fans. The news plays endlessly in the background.

There is an almost palpable nervous tension crackling around us... a heightened sense of awareness and a subtle aroma of panic.

Over a dozen fires rage in southern California. My mother in law has been evacuated and is on her way...

I have gassed up the car, and parked it "nose out" in the driveway and have methodically been adding items to a tote bag by the front door: dog food, medication, photo albums, a change of clothes for everyone.

Just in case.

*** update ***

So far, so good... a breeze began in Laguna yesterday afternoon and blew out most of the smoke and ash and nothing has started or come closer... still nerve wracking but ok.

*** update 2.0, Wednesday ***

Ugh, today is miserable as we are on the receiving end of the smoke and soot from the Camp Pendleton as fire well as the Santiago/Modjeska Canyon blaze... the sky resembles a factory town in China, bright, but you can't really see the sun... we are covered in ash.

But still, we are safe, we have our home and our things... our precious things... drawings and cards and photos and silly stuffed animals... things that I don't need, but which I am so very glad to have.

47 comments:

Tuesday Girl said...

I have been wathing and it is so very scary.
Prayers for your family & all of those in California.

Anonymous said...

We are thinking of you and everyone out there in S. CA. Stay safe, my friend!

Anonymous said...

Thinking about you. I can only imagine how scary this is...

Jill said...

Yikes... how nerve wracking. I hope they stay clear of you and you don't have to take that tote bag anywhere!

Kayce said...

Thinking about you! Come on up to SCruz!!

M3 said...

Yeesh. Hope that tote bag stays parked by the front door. Sending good thoughts.

Amy Y said...

How awful... Hope you guys stay safe!!

Daniella said...

Thinking of all of you during this scary time.

Susie Sunshine said...

All of S. Cal is in our thoughts and prayers. Stay safe.

Mel said...

I've been thinking of you guys... I'll keep you all in my hopes and thoughts until this damn fire's gone.

Anonymous said...

Which fire is closest to you? San Diego or Irvine?

Joannah said...

It's awful, isn't it? I've lived here my entire life, and I've never seen anything like this.

Be safe!

Anonymous said...

I've been thinking so much about you, friend! God bless. I hope you stay safe and sane. xxoo

Kristin said...

We're doing ok... the wind has changed and we're now getting an offshore breeze which has cleared out a great deal of smoke... fingers crossed that it continues!

Thank you for your prayers, everyone... we're doing ok but the tote bag is about to burst.

Michelle said...

Yeah. it's scary. We're in no danger of evacution, but it is still scary. I drove right by one of the fires on the way home today. Ironically, I was on that particular road because the toll roads were closed,(and the fwys were a mess) but I put myself in more danger with my little detour than I had if I had taken the Freeway home.
I hope these winds die down soon.

Kristin said...

Michelle, I was thinking about you... glad it's looking safe.

Anne Marie said...

Thinking of you and everyone in Southern Cal. Hoping that "just in case" truly is "just in case". Friends of ours in San Diego are in a hotel right now.

wzgirl said...

I've been tapped by the Red Cross already. I hope that things do not get much worse. I'll keep your family in my thoughts/prayers...hoping that your emergency bag stays right where it is by the front door.

Phoenix said...

I hope it goes away soon. I remember the ones a few years back and I know these are worse. I'm so glad I'm not there. The air that bad, I'd be in the ER. Suck.

My aunt and uncle evacuated, but mostly because of the air. I hope you guys are okay and your house stays fire free.

Lisa and Tate said...

Scary business.... prayers are with you and all the others in S Calif.

Lena said...

I'm doing the same thing, K.

Gracencameronsmomy said...

oh man, I hope you guys are ok! scary!

Jen R. said...

We have family in San Diego that had to be evacuated. Hope you're doing OK

'kmum said...

Thinking of you and everyone else. Take care.

rubyiscoming said...

Just terrifying. Stay safe

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

I've been wondering how you guys are. You seem remarkably calm...

mamatulip said...

Oh, honey. Stay safe.

Shelley said...

Call us if you need a place to stay.

Shell

The Domesticator said...

I am praying for you all.....and I'm not religious...go figure!

Seriously, take good care, Kristin. I am thinking of you and your beautiful family.

Be safe.

Chrissie said...

Be safe...

Pollyanna said...

Oh, my prayers are most definately with you. We had a fire that burned only 8 miles from here this summer. We went to bed every night wondering if we would get evacuated or not. It's so worrisome and exhausting. Keep us posted so we know you are okay!!!

Los said...

Our prayers are with ya, Kristen - I've been watching the news ... I can't believe the absolute destruction!

Stay safe!

Wendy said...

I hope the fires stay away from you and you all stay safe.

Anonymous said...

in laws are at my house too. life inside is miserable. school closed? i ventured to irvine for music class yesterday. met someone you may know. she belongs to the oc families that adopted from china ( i know tht isn't the right name). cute little girl. can you believe that someone set this fire on purpose?

nini

Anonymous said...

It must be terrifying. My thoughts and prayers are with all those in Cali.

Daniella said...

Still thinking of you. Our niece is in Cal and she was evacuated. Thanks for the update.

Anonymous said...

I hope you guys are still safe and sound. I can't imagine!

Kristie said...

Hope everything is going okay on your end and that they can get those fires unwrap soon. Scary stuff for all of you in the area... Stay Safe

Lisa said...

How scarey. I hope all stays well for you and your family.

carrie said...

I'm thinking of you -- all of you.

There is a lot of help on it's way from these parts. I hope it calms down soon!

Shelley said...

Ugh - Grody air! It's like an oppressive pall over us. I just can't stand it!!

Hedy said...

Wow. I'm so sorry this is going on right now. I remember how scary it was down there at this time of year. Every year.

Stay safe, and keep us posted. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. :)

-H

Shelley said...

Again? :)

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

Thank you for letting everyone know you're okay.

Mimi Lenox said...

Wow. So glad to hear you and your family are ok. Sending prayers....take care.

Scribbit said...

Glad to hear all's well, considering what could have been for you. What a week.

Damselfly said...

Huh, I didn't realize you were that close to the fires! I'm glad you were safe.