Oceanside, CA - 10/28/2003
I wanted to give a first-hand report on the horrible wildfires devistating Southern California for the past few days.
First of all, I would like to ask you all to say a prayer for all of those who have lost loved ones and their homes. Over 12 people have died and 650 homes have burned down as of today in San Diego county alone.
Our home in Oceanside has not been threatened. Fortunately we are close enough to the ocean to receive off-shore winds.
We are sustaining smoke damage however, and it is very hard to breathe. We have been warned to stay inside and not drive anywhere. The sky ranges from black to an eerie orange color. The sun is red. Ash is falling from the sky like a light snow.
The mayor of San Diego has asked all business' to remain closed to free up the roads for evacuee's and rescue workers.
The areas burning are inland, with Santa Ana winds (hot dry winds that blow west from the desert areas) fueling huge fire lines over tinder dry brush. We have not had rain for over 6 months.
3 of the 5 fires are 0% contained at this point and are raging unchecked... all that can be done is to evacuate and hope the winds die down.
This is the worst firestorm I have seen in all the years I have lived in SoCal.
God help us all...
I have posted a few pictures in PhotoShare that I borrowed from our local newspaper. When it is safe to go outside, I will try to take some personally.
