Jon,
I've read about the fires. I pray you and your family are safe. If possible, let us know on the forums.

God be with you.

Peg 

Peg, we are all safe, as are our friends and neighbors. I think there is only one fatality, so far, but the property damage is going to unbelievable. We live in the center of San Diego City, so we are fairly buffered from the fires which are in the more vegetated areas. There are heavily vegetated canyons interspersed with the housing developments, which make them desirable for living in, but also make for disasters like this. I lost a few banana trees to the winds today, but otherwise, all is well. WE are supposed to ave 24-36 more hours of wind, and it is not at all over until the wind dies down. The wind driven flames and travel 30-40 miles per hours at times, and the embers skip miles ahead, blown by the wind, and start new fires in advance of the main fire line. I have watched these fires, here and in LA, for 50 years, but this is so far beyond anything that I have ever seen before: totally unprecedented, even with the worst ever fire of 4 years ago.

Thank God :)

Cecil

jon,

thank God for His mercy, so glad to hear you are safe.  my brother and sil are safe as well but considering heading north to get some cleaner air as the ash and smoke are quite bad.

we have had drizzly rain and cooler weather here in missouri, wishing you had some of the rain.

elizabeth

Jon,
Thank God you are all safe so far. When I read that the SD Zoo was evacuating I was really worried. I don't remember exactly the distances but it didn't seem to be very far from downtown SD.

The Gang here from GW are all worried about you and wishing you the best.

Peg

Actually the Zoo is fine, but their companion park, The Wild Animal Park, is in the northern part of the county where the worst fire is. I don't think they are in any danger at this time, but they are taking many precautions, and the wind makes fire direction very unpredictable.

There are still many homes threatened, and all will depend on direction and velocity of the wind today. The fire dept seems to think winds are milder and that they will be able to get more aircraft dropping water, and fire-retardant, which will make a big difference in shaping the direction and scope of what burns today.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/14403203/detail.html?dl=headlineclick

Never in my life did I think that where I live here in Del Mar, West of the 5 freeway, would there be a mandatory evacuation due to a fire. 5 miles away houses in Rancho Santa Fe are burning, just north of Morgan Run Golf Course.

They are saying the worst is over though. I feel lucky to an extreme degree- all I suffered was an uncomfortable night and stinging eyes. I wonder what happened out at Leo Manuel's place. From what I recall he lived quite close to Poway.

When I talked with Leo Monday morning, the fire was another canyon over. Haven't had an update, other than he was probably evac'd.

My brother lives in San Diego, am getting worried because we haven't heard from him yet, internet or Cell phone.  I am sure he is okay though, but not knew how bad things were.  Glad you and yours is okay. Ciao, Maggie

Actually he lives in Carlsbad, does anyone know how it is there, Near oceanside, Ca.     Ciao

Maggie,

Carlsbad is a bout 30 miles north of downtown San Diego. It is more to the north of the fire.  See http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=&city=carlsbad&state=ca&zipcode=

The area between Escondido and the Interstate 5 Shield towards t4he lower left is the area which has been most intense last night and today: Del Dios Hwy, Rancho Santa Fem Olivenhain, and so forth. He would be north of the evac zone, so should be reachable. So, alternative answers could be staying with a girl friend, avoiding his sister, or big game hunting in Botswana. 

Thanks alot Jon,  that made me feel better, but I would imagine he could be big game hunting,  but he would NEVER want to avoid me his FAVORITE sister,  I am going to check out that girlfriend thing though, I haven't liked many of them so far!!!!!!!!! but a definite possibility.  Ciao,  Maggie

Maybe, since you are looking for him, you are the hunter and he is the prey? ;-))

I'm glad your area is safe Jon. I wish i can send some of the rain we're getting now in Pa over. 
Majority of CRFG members live in SoCal I'm pretty sure many of the rare fruit trees have been burned in that area. I would hate to see an orchard that I've been growing all my life to be burned in minutes.

Bass