The Southern California Conflagrations

[The Rez]

Folks,

May I please ask your Prayery Dust [whatever method you employ] to those in harms' way due to the conflagrations on all sides in Southern California.

This is *not* just "firefighters doing what firefighters do" This is pastors, teachers, homeowners, renters, anybody who hasn't yet been manditorily evacuated. Folks w/ any tool they can find - fighting for their lives.

I've seen friends on TV being interviewed as they fight. Jeff Gill - Pastor in Charge of Calvary Chapel's Youth Camp near Green Valley Lake said the camp is in jeapordy. The town of Green Valley Lake has been entirely evacuated, leaving the homes to just burn. That's 2 miles from Jeff.

At Twin Peaks [near Lake Arrowhead] the Calvary Conference Center is staffed by about 75 ppl. All but the kids are evacuated. Staff, however, is in the fray. In essence, able bodied people are drafted to stand in the gap. Mike Maguvero, Pastor in Charge at Twin Peaks says things are holding - for now.

Many churches have camps in these mountains. All are in the same peril. This thing goes round the horn from our local mountains, down to San Diego - and across parts of the Mojave - up the coast thru Malibu, into the Ridge Route [also called The Grapevine] leading to Bakersfield. Magic Mountain is on the cusp as I type.

There simply aren't enough firefighters to combat the vastness of the area. More vast than imaginable unless your heart is here embodied in people like Jeff and Mike. Even the stark smell of the burning is causing my Mama difficulty in breathing - and we're not near any flames at all.

My friend Carol, in Silver City, NM tells me her mother is having the same breathing trouble. The smoke from CA has blackened the sky even in Silver City.

Buildings are just buildings, and Campgrounds are just campgrounds. Please . . . reach out your hearts to the people.

Rez

[BILLW]

Hey Rez,

Our prayers and thoughts are with you and all the good folks in harms way.

Bill

[Dream Street Rose]

I will have to say it is getting a little hot here. The temperature yesterday was 97 and smokey. About 9pm Ken came upstairs to tell me to look out the back window. There it was, the dreaded flames. They are still miles away but it gives you a chill to look and realize how many people have lost their homes. Hopefully the fire will not get any closer as we plan to leave for Arizona in the morning. I would hate to cheat Walter out of a good steak dinner so those flames better back off.

DSR

[Don Quixote]

Hi, Rez. All of our best wishes to you out on the Coast. I understand that the Santa Ana winds are at least one more day away from calming down; we'll keep all of you (I understand that there will be around 1 million evacuees by the time this is all done) in our prayers.
Best,
DQ

[charlene]

Stay safe - we're all thinking of you folks out there..

[SilverHeels]

thinking of you all and wishing you safe.

[Doug]

Just a quick note to let those of you who were concerned know that where I am located in San Diego County (office in El Cajon, live in Santee) has not been affected by the fires raging here. The only effects have been smoke, ash and an orange sun.

We basically kept our store closed for a couple of days so we did not add to traffic and phone calls.

Unless Janice has moved, she lives in La Mesa and is not in danger at this time.

I know I and am sure Janice, appreciate your prayers and concern.

Sending prayers and thoughts to all those affected (directly and indirectly) by the fires. Please stay safe and be well.

Pam

[Yuri]

Doug,
Nice to hear that you are alright with all the excitement California is experiencing. Earthquakes, mud slides, wildfires - what's next, a plague of locusts? I guess there is a price to pay for living in Paradise.
In 2004, my wife and I visited some of her relatives in El Cajon. They too report smoke and ash but no immediate threat. Now that the Santa Ana winds have died down perhaps the end may be in sight but there will no doubt be a long recovery period.
Just want to add our prayers and best wishes to all those affected.
Yuri

[Jesse Joe]

Do stay safe all you Californians, thinking of you all.

~ Jesse Joe ~

[Yuri]

Unbelievable!

[timetraveler]

After reading this, I think I'd better check in with my uncle who lives in Silver City, New Mexico & see how he's doing. I knew it was absolutely horrendous, but I'd also forgotten about how far the wind would carry the smoke.

[SilverHeels]

I was watching a special report on the News today. As Doug says, above, it is indeed 'unbelievable'. But what is staggering is how the plant life is reincarnating. Little sprigs of green can be seen amidst the charred remains of trees and bush in the canyon. Truly amazing.
Doug, I heard from Janice a couple of days ago and she was safe and away from the danger zones. Glad to hear you and yours are safe.