Just 4 Today, I’ll drink my fiber twice (done once), drink 2 liters of water (I’ve drunk about 1/2 liter), walk 5 miles (yesterday - 4.08), NOT eat between meals & NOT take seconds.
Several people have asked about catdog. She lives in Los Angeles but we weren’t sure if she’s been affected by the fires. So far, her neighborhood is safe. But things are bad in Southern California. The headline in the Los Angeles Times says that 500,000 have been told to evacuate. And an LA Fire Marshall said (on the radio) that because of the winds, no one in Southern California is safe.
The community at DailyKos has some resources — diaries for people in the area needing emergency information — diaries for volunteers (who are desperately needed) — and diaries for those of us who are far away and worried about those in danger. They are all linked from California Wildfires Mothership - Liveblog.
Today I’m praying for the people of Southern California.
What are you going to do today?
J4T I’ll drink my water & pray for SoCal. I have another blog-buddy in San Diego, he says his house is outside the evac zone at the moment but he’s been staying with rels because of the smoke. He doesn’t think his (rental) house is in any danger, but his workplace may be in the evac zone today or tomorrow.
Here on Planet Georgia, we have more rain on tap for today and pretty likely through Friday.
Morning KB and FAR.
J4T I’ll drink 2 liters of water and pray also for SoCal.
I don’t know if we’ll get anymore rain, but our temp will be dropping all day down to 59F this afternoon.
The high winds and the effects of them are just astounding.
I have friends in San Clemente, between SD and LA. I called yesterday, and they said the winds are so strong they have to keep the windows closed. And there is so much dirt in the air, their plants are brown. They aren’t in any danger, which is a relief. In fact, Dan is a surfer, and he’s enjoying great waves from the wind. One small positive in a world of negatives there, right now.
I’ve spent lots of time in and around SD, and it’s so awful to think of what’s going on there. My friends who used to live there have all moved so I don’t have anyone specific to worry about - just worry in general.
How completely awful. I keep checking head’s blog, but there’s nothing. I sure hope he’s okay.
Smoke from the fires makes orange light over downtown Los Angeles, near where I am this morning. The nearest fire is at least 10-15-20 miles away.
There is scarcely any movement of trees in the nearly non-existent breeze. Hard to believe what’s going on to the north, east and south of us.
There were ashes that fell from somewhere last night on the cars in my neighborhood. No way to know from which of the 12 to 20 fires.
The Los Angeles neighborhood called Los Feliz, which had a big fire in Griffith Park a few months back, seems to be safe at this point. Our councilman made sure they dropped stuff on the hills of the park to stop erosion if/when it ever rains again, and there’s no way he’s going to let another fire get going up there if he has to fight it himself with a shovel and garden hose. Our beautifully restored observatory seems safe, at least for now.
I have friends who live in the Santa Clarita/Canyon Country areas I’m worried about, though. That’s about 25-30 miles up the road. A mobile home park went up in smoke last night about 5 miles from one of my friends, and with the winds, 5 miles is NOTHING, depending on the direction. Embers fly for a couple of miles and start new fires.
A big concern out in the more rural parts is the wellfare of horses and other large animals. Pierce College in the San Fernando Valley is sheltering quite a few horses right now.
No way of knowing where the next fires will start– and given the fact that there are people out there who like to start fires, even if no power lines go down in the wind, like in Malibu, more fires may well start. Everything is as dry as you can possibly imagine, just waiting for a spark. I’m looking at the Hollywood Hills and hoping nobody gets any bright ideas today.
catdog, thank you for the update. We’re thinking of and praying for you and your friends. What a nightmare. Please keep letting us know that you’re okay. Fingers crossed for rain.
Good to hear from you, catdog. Best wishes to all of you, and may the weather change soon.
Thanks for the update and glad to hear you are safe catdog. Our thoughts are with you and everyone out there.
Well gang, that stuff out there that we have to breath looks like you would need a knife to get through it.
The amount of smoke in the air is unbelievable, and it’s coming from all directions, piling up in the Los Angeles Basin, making a faux “marine layer” of smoke as far as the eye can see.
Makes for a great sunset, but lousy breathing !
catdog, I’m so glad you’re doing OK. The breathing thing is bad, though, because the bad air can go on for a long time.
Mister just found a story that said 1 Million people are being evacuated.
catdog, I hope you stay safe.
What you said, KB.
Hi Boran. I wish we knew how knucklehead’s doing. Has anyone heard anything since Sunday?
Don’t worry folks, this neighborhood already had its crisis. Except for the unbreathable air (thus no walking today, or probably for the next several days, except when I’m in San Francisco tomorrow) and the extremely dry high heat, we’re ok.
It’s our friends and relatives elsewhere in SoCAL we’re worried about here in Los Feliz/Silver Lake. Although it is POSSIBLE we could have a fire here, it is a lot less likely than some other places. Griffith Park/Hollywood Hills already had 2 scary fires this earlier this year, so much of what was there to burn has already done so, or had a lot of fire retardant dumped on it from numerous helicopters.
So far it looks like my brother in law’s 2 brothers who live in San Diego County are ok, and as far as I know my Santa Clarita/Canyon Country friends are ok. I’m worried about Tarzana friends backed up on the Santa Monica Mountains, but so far so good there.
Trouble is, as long as it’s this dry, and the winds are out there, anything is possible. Rumour is, the winds are dying down, at least in L.A. County. Pray it’s true !
catdog, thank you for touching base with us. We can’t help but worry.
I am praying that those winds die. And that your — everyone’s — friends and families stay safe.