Evacuated from the fires, but home and ok now

This was the view from my backyard yesterday morning. It should have been a pure blue sky.

It got worse than this before it got better.

The land our house sits on burned 11 years ago in the Harmony Grove fire. That open space just behind our fence is surrounded by houses, but the high winds were carrying embers up to two miles, so any fire in the general area could have ignited it. The winds were so hard Sunday night and all day Monday and last night that some trees were snapped along the street and a neighbor’s patio table was smashed. Our poor tipu tree bent at 90 degrees in this photo (to the left of the curved wall) seems to have made it, but many of our trees are de-leafed.

We had a mandatory evacuation yesterday afternoon because our neighborhood backs onto the open land going toward Elfin Forest. In addition to the Witch fire covered in the news there was a fire called the Coronado Hills fire in San Marcos, which is upwind of us. I don’t think it was on the news much with so many other more dangerous and volatile situations, but the police closed this area and drove around with loud speakers telling everyone to evacuate. Some neighbors stayed, but because of the amount of ash falling and another night of winds coming, we didn’t want to have a middle of the night exit. We had lost cable and internet in the morning and we were feeling very cut off.

We had received a reverse 911 call around 6 am telling us to be ready for evacuation, so we had already packed the cars with photos and albums, quilts and knitting, artwork and other special things, papers and necessities, etc, awaiting the mandatory call. While it was hard to leave home, we did it with more than the clothes on our backs like so many people, so I’ve not been as worried. Notice that photo albums, quilts and knitting were in front of papers on that list - I did the papers first, but those crafty were the things closest to my heart! We felt lucky to have had so much time to plan.

We stayed with my SIL in OC last night. In OC it was very hard to get detailed news about SD because of all the fires in the OC and LA areas My husband returned this morning to find relatively clearer skies and the barriers into our neighborhood pushed aside. The girls and I followed this afternoon (and the two cats and dog – that was a fun ride!).

Because the Coronado Hills fire was 100% contained this morning at just 300 acres we’ve decided to stay, but of course can leave asap if required. The yard and walks are ashy, but the house was closed up to the winds before the fires got bad, so it’s pretty clean inside. I’m so thankful for our good fortune, but I have friends still evacuated and they're more in the line of the active fires than us. I used to live and work in Rancho Bernardo, so of course this all hits close to home. The areas of the Witch fire west of I-15 are very familiar to me. I used to drive along Del Dios Highway every day, so it’s been hard not to stay glued to the TV.

My husband is working from home because they’ve asked everyone that can to stay home, so I’m only getting to “borrow” the PC for a few minutes. The winds are only going to improve from here and the temperature is dropping from the record highs, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. My kids are off school for two weeks anyway (modified year-round) and now the house is in chaos, so you might not hear from me for a bit, but we're OK. Take care everyone. Our thoughts are with those who've lost their homes or don't know what they'll find.

Comments

[Miss Christine]

Oh Nancy--knowing that you're in San Diego, I have been thinking about you (as well as my many other West Coast cronies, both from blogworld and real life) and hoping all were ok. Will cross my fingers that your good luck continues. Stay safe.

[Paddy]

I've been thinking of you since the news broke- glad you and yours are alright. Knit on- through all crises.

[Ruthanne (in Seattle)]

Nancy - I'm so glad you're all together at home. . . good thing you loaded the important things in the car! Continue to take good care. Thanks for letting me know to check your blog!

[Jeanne]

The orange skies these days are unsettling, to say the least. Glad to hear that you are all okay.

[Agnes]

I'm glad to learn that you are back home and okay. I am awaiting news of my sock pal who also lives in San Diego. She said one of the fires was just 4 miles away from her home and she was to leave.
Take care and stay safe.

[Natalie]

I'm glad you are doing ok. My sister hasn't had a mandatory evacuation yet but she did stay at a friends house because they do not have central air or air at all and couldn't stand the smoke. Crazy. Hope you stay safe!!

[Terry]

My heartfelt good thoughts for you and your family to stay safe. Take good care!

[ellen]

Thanks for letting us know you are safe.

[Michele]

OMG Nancy. I am happy that you guys are safe. I didn't realize how bad it was until this week. I moved from Riverside 2 years ago but my family is still there. The fires are not very close to them but are surrounding that area. Thanks goodness you all are ok...

[Lois]

I read your blog all the time and am glad you and your family are ok - what can knitters across the country do for those that lost everything - knitnana has started up cloths for crisis again, but let us know if anyone starts anything - such as donating yarn, needles, etc. for those knitters that lost everything...

Lois in MA

[JessaLu]

So scary - good to hear you guys are doing ok.

[Risa]

Nancy, my thoughts have been with you since the fires hit the airwaves. I'm relieved to know that you're safe. Stay safe.

[--Deb]

Phew!!

[Margo]

It's so frightening - I remember when the Oakland fires were happening around here. Fire is terrifying. I'm SO glad you're all OK and back home. Praying this ends soon.

[Gaile (Vancouver BC)]

Such a scary time for all of you. I'm glad you are okay and back home. I hope you'll be able to stay there now, and won't be evacuated again. My prayers are for all in this situation at this time.

[Julia]

It looks so scary on TV and even from space! Hose everything down real good outside. Keep all that stuff packed in the car though. And take care.

[Jeanie]

I can not begin to imagine how scary all of this has been. I am so happy you and your family are safe. I hope for calm winds and lower temps. We will be travelling down to San Diego in about two weeks and I am sure the landscape will be overwhelming-how sad. Stay safe.

[kelly]

I can not even imagine! So glad you are all safe and sound. -kb

[Becky]

I'm so glad you guys are okay. I lived in OC awhile and that whole year I was so afraid of what might happen with CA weather. Thats sure an erie photo you posted. I've been praying for all of you there in CA fire country. I hope by this weekend there's some relief. Having been hit by two hurricanes in the past 5 years I can sympathize, although I think the fires are 100 more times scarier and deadlier. Take care. And be careful.

[Heather]

It was a really scary time wasn't it! I hope the fires continue to be contained and we get appropriately happy weather. The ash is killing me though, I never thought it would be so bad!

[Janice]

Glad to hear you are okay. The footage that they're showing on the NorCal news stations has been absolutely frightening.

[Jules]

So glad to hear you're ok, it all sounds terrible. Living in England, I have nothing to compare this to, never had to face anything like this myself so can only begin to imagine what its like for everyone concerned.....prayers for everyone involved

[Emma]

I'm happy to read that you and your family are well and safe.
Hope it stays that way.

[michelle]

So good to hear that all is well with you and yours.

[moni]

I am so glad you are okay. How scary. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.