Prayers needed. Please.
We live in San Diego, one of the areas of Southern California hard hit by wildfires that started yesterday. As I write this, nearly half a million people have been manditorily evacuated from their homes. That's more than 15% of the entire population of San Diego County. Freeways are closed. Schools are closed, businesses are closed. It's nearly impossible to breathe outside and ash is covering my car and my yard. Power is going out around the county and we've been asked not to use our cell phones.
Today is the fourth anniversary of bringing Aidan home from Haiti, and in a few days it will be the fourth anniversary of the Cedar fire which killed 15 people, burned over 280,000 acres and destroyed 2,820 homes and buildings. The Cedar fire got to within about five crow's miles of our neighborhood and the day I saw burning embers landing in my back yard was the day we hauled ass out of San Diego and sought refuge at my mom's house in Orange County.
San Diego's fire officials are saying that the fires that rage here today will be more devastating than the fires four years ago. I can't even wrap my mind around this.
At this time, we are not in any danger. We live in the Clairemont area of San Diego, just east and a skip north of SeaWorld. It's not hard to do, though, with six or more different fires now burning here to feel unsafe and exposed and helpless. Most of our major freeways out of the area are closed or so covered in smoke as to be dangerous to drive so our options - and the options of our 3,000,000 neighbors and friends - are limited.
I was first aware of the start of fires when I received a call yesterday from a photography client in Ramona that it was windy at her home and she was going to see if her husband wanted to cancel or relocate their shoot. She put the phone down and seconds later I heard her say something in the background and then she got back on the phone and said there was dark smoke and ash in her backyard and that we'd have to cancel. They are a family of five - three kids five and under - and have pets and horses. I can't imagine what they are going through right now. Now multiply this scene by hundreds of thousands of people. Un-freaking-believable.
So, please, pray for Southern California. There are very few areas not affected by the fires in some way, whether by loss of property, evacuation or by the choking smoke and ash.
Please pray for our firefighters, military personnel, and police as they work to protect and serve.
Prayers are going out to you and the many families in the affected areas. Hugs to you. Hang in there.
Posted by: Maria | October 22, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Prayers being said before, and more so now....
Hugs!
Posted by: josette | October 22, 2007 at 03:46 PM
I heard about the fires this morning (I'm 1 hour south of Chicago)and will keep everyone in my prayers. I can't even imagine what you are all going through out there.
Posted by: Cathy | October 22, 2007 at 06:21 PM
You are all in our prayers Tina, thank you for posting to let us know you're doing okay and for putting a very real perspective on this. All I've heard today is bored newscasters repeating the same facts over and over, so thank you for adding the human element in. Keep yourselves safe and God Bless.
Posted by: Crys | October 22, 2007 at 10:36 PM
I'm so glad to hear you're okay--for now. You and the rest of the people of San Diego and surrounding areas are in our prayers!
Posted by: Elisha | October 23, 2007 at 09:14 AM
I'm watching the news closely, and thinking of you the entire time I do. Seriously, seriously, seriously, let me know if you need to evacuate -- our home is open to you.
And tell Aidan "auuuguguguggh." Of course. ;-)
Praying for your beautiful family,
k.
Posted by: Chookooloonks | October 23, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Tina, grab those babies, hubby and scrapbooks of yours and find a safe place for your family. I'm praying for all of you! I'm in tears over what I see and hear on the news.
Posted by: Julie Hickey | October 23, 2007 at 04:32 PM
Tina,
Just know that you are in my prayers and I am constantly asking Jonathan about you and the family to make sure your ok. God Bless you all and hopefully we'll get to meet soon.
Daney (Jonathans annoying kisses GF haha)
Posted by: Daney | October 23, 2007 at 07:08 PM
I'm definitely praying here in Seattle!!!! I can't imagine. I remember being in the fires in 1995 in Orange County, and seeing them come down the hill next to our school was so scary!!! We are keeping all of CA in our prayers!
Posted by: joy | October 23, 2007 at 09:32 PM
Keeping you and your family and the rest of So-Cal in my thoughts and prayers. Please stay safe.
Posted by: Joy U | October 24, 2007 at 12:27 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Tina. Every summer there are huge fires in Australia and I worry every time. My parents live right on a National Park and prepare each year for evacuation. Fire is so random and unpredictable - it pays to be prepared. The footage on the news is so intense! I really feel for those in CA who've lost their homes, and especially for the fire fighters - they do an amazing job and deserve more recognition. Keep safe - I'll be thinking of you.
Posted by: Lisa Warren | October 24, 2007 at 09:56 PM
As you pray for Cynthia and I we too pray for you and all of California. Thank you for all of your kind words to my wife and to me through her.
Posted by: Jeff (Cynthia's Husband) | October 24, 2007 at 11:58 PM
sending prayers your way!
Posted by: stephanie | October 25, 2007 at 03:38 AM
Tina, praying for you and your family to be safe...this is just so unbelievable. I seriously just cannot even wrap my brain around it, and what you all are going through. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you, girl. Huge hugs!
Posted by: AFerguson | October 25, 2007 at 06:40 AM
Prayers for you and your family, your friends and neighbors affected and all my Southern California friends. My heart goes out to you.
Posted by: Lisa M | October 25, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Lifting my brothers and sisters in California up in prayer.
Blessings!
Posted by: Adriann | October 25, 2007 at 05:21 PM