Monday, October 22, 2007

San Diego Fires Update #3

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Western Alpine, Harbison Canyon, and La Cresta. That last one is five miles via crow flight from my home. The first one is five miles from my brother's home. As far as I can tell, this is purely precautionary. These communities are enclosed by canyon walls or sit perched on the top of a peak with twisting, winding roads. These areas were burned to the foundations by the Cedar Fire in 2003. The fire roared through the canyons in the dead of night so fast that evacuation orders were not able to keep up with the beast. That day was hellish for the residents. As I write this there is no fire approaching these communities. The Sheriff and fire services, I believe, want people safely out of the way in case history repeats itself.

El Cajon and Alpine are still safe although the circle of safety is growing smaller. It is my guess, based upon too much experience, is that it will be Wednesday or Thursday before the fire siege is lifted.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Deja vu. Orange skies and falling ash. Breath out only. Flames cresting the hill. Memories of 2003.

Up here in the rainforest of SE Alaska, we're got wind and cold rain. Nothing's gonna burn except in the woodstove.