FIRE - Here We Go Again!

It was four years ago that we evacuated our home to flee the raging Cedar Fire. That fire started on a Sunday too. If the fires that started yesterday in Potrero and Romona had waited five days until October the 26th, it would have been the exact four year anniversary of the fire that burned our canyon down.

There are fires all over San Diego County - at least 8 - and the Santa Ana winds are supposed to continue through tomorrow. There are also fires all over in the Los Angeles area north of us. San Diego's Wild Animal Park is under threat, a hospital is being evacuated, and 250,000 people have fled their homes for Red Cross evacuation centers or the homes of friends or family in safer areas.

The two photos below were taken as we left just ahead of the Cedar Fire in 2003.

This is an ironic bit of Deja Vu. The same type of wind-driven fires, on just about the same day, four years later...except that these fires are even bigger and more widely spread. Over 100,000 acres have burned in less than 24 hours. At times, in certain areas the winds have reached hurricane force. Live embers and ash are raining down and the fire fighting planes are grounded because of the wind conditions. These fires are fast so one must be prepared to leave on a moments notice.

Yet right now it is relatively calm in our canyon. We can even see a little sky blue through the smokey gray but none of us trust it enough to let our guard down. We KNOW how often the wind changes direction and how quickly the flames move and consume. Needless to say all four of us have been up all night monitoring the fires on the TV and the radio - and packing. No one can sleep.

One packs important papers, jewelry, instruments, photos, clothing, medication, pets, pet food, pet meds, and small heirlooms and keepsakes if there is room. Once packed there is nothing to do but wait, watch, and wonder if you will have a home tomorrow.

Our house and belongings survived the fire in ' 03 but my friends and neighbors all lost everything. Because the insurance companies are so full of shit it has taken all of these years for life to get somewhat back to normal. Some people got royally screwed by the corporate profiteers and still haven't been able to rebuild. Now it's happening all over again.

Another irony - The rebuild of the house that burnt to the ground across the street four years ago is almost complete. As I write I can see several construction workers finishing up the roof and working on the windows.... strange considering the red flag alert.

If we have to leave we are taking the computer but will not have internet access where we will be staying so I may not be able to write for a while. If our canyon is spared this time, I will blog updates now and then ( if we still have power).

I had been working on a piece about Blackwater's impact on the environment in Potrero. I hope the eagles survived - there are three documented eagle nests in Potrero. We were just there during the encampment two weekends ago and spent time with many of the lovely, brave people who live there. Quite a few folks were injured and one died in this fire. Potrero was hit pretty hard. Let's just hope that Erik Prince of Blackwater does not see this tragic fire as an opportunity to siphon a fortune in taxpayer dollars away from the fire victims like he did during Katrina. We don't want thugs with guns and we can't afford them either!

I will say this about the environment - it is even more fragile after a fire like this and needs time to recover. The wildlife that survive are traumatized. We took care of some of our wild neighbors after the last fire. The animals do not need guns, speeding Humvees, and helicopters to add to their suffering. Also consider that Blackwater proposes to build an 18,000 sq. ft. armory to store their ammunition. Heckuva lotta ammo - Good thing it wasn't built yet. Dumb idea for a fire prone area don't ya think? Ka Boom!

Oh my gosh, this is a sequel! They just reported that "The Terminator" is on his way. Rewind! Replay! Nothing like another fire photo op. Hey, hey the Govenator is on his way - just like in ' 03!

Anyway we are calm but remain alert and ready to leave if need be. It all depends on how the wind blows...

I think I'll go wash some dishes and watch them work on the rebuild across the street. Maybe it will take my mind of off tomorrow.
.............Kitchen Window Woman............

UPDATE - I went to wash the dishes and looked out the window - the construction workers were gone! Its much smokier now so we are keeping the door shut. The wind is picking up some and doing it in gusts. Those guys left because they couldn't breathe. I'm just wondering why they were even working as through out SD county everyone has been sent home from work and all the schools are closed. Dishes are done so back to watching, waiting , and wondering and trying to keep my eyes open. KWW