Synchronicity hits hard. Ralphie starts a thread about being worried about her parents, and, this morning, a lightning strike has started a brush fire that is now approaching the house.
Let me back up a little here. I am living on a ridge above Wooden Valley California. It is in the Mount George quadrangle, should you look it up on mapquest. Growing up in Napa Valley, I have seen those 100 foot flames as the hills and mountains surround us. I have known the terror, but was always living on the valley floor, well away from the conflagration. I remember when we moved up here in June thinking well, now we don't have to worry about flood, now it's fire.
The yard is filled with emergency personell, due to the convienience of access off of Monticello Road. They tell us that they have little access to the fire, and that it is moving toward us.
Being athsmatic, I threw some important papers in the trunk of the car, and left my in-laws to watch the property. I come to you from my folks place in Napa proper.
At least my stuff is safe in storage. But, as I said, I remember horizons filled with flame in the past, and now it is, indeed, up close, personal, and hopefully, just a flash in the pan.
Too much fire on Hatrack today.... Posted by ginette (Member # 852) on :
Good luck Erik! How long will it take before you know for sure what is going to happen to your house?
Posted by T. Analog Kid (Member # 381) on :
Prayers and thoughts with ya', sir...
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
Yikes! Make sure to check in with us when you can, so we know you're OK. I hope you are safe!
[ September 03, 2003, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: saxon75 ]
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Wow Erik, I'm glad that you got out of there when you did--asthema is never fun. I hope the rest of your family has the good sense to follow you if conditions worsen. Do keep us posted.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
Take care Erik!
Urban interface is what firefighters refer to when wildfires start butting up against settled areas. Where I come from, some of the most sought after summer homes land is right up on the hills among the old growth forests. And it's can be a real recipe for disaster.
It's got to be tough on firefighters to move from fighting a wildfire to combatting structure fires. And fighting both, at the same time using two different types of tactics, has got to be worrisome on the best of days.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
(((Erik))) I hope you get to go home soon.
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Poor Eslaine!!!
Asthma is the bane of my existence as well. ;_; (sob) I can completely understand wanting to get away from there (I had a complete mental shutdown due to lack of air after being rained on by firework components at the Weird Al concert... I can't imagine how bad it would be near a fire...) but I bet it's hard to leave your home behind and not know what it's going to be like when you return. (((((hug))))) It'll be all right, you'll get through it!
[ September 03, 2003, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: Ryuko ]
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
At least you didn't stay to roast marshmellows.
Good luck.
Now, if everyone on Hatrack gets together and blows real hard, we could blow that puppy out. On Three
One
Two
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Bloooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Aww, Erik! I hope everything will be ok!!
(((((((((((((((Erik))))))))))))))))
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
Take care, man. Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :
Whew.
Thanks Dan, that must have helped. Of course over 200 CDF firefighters attacking the ridge with big water drops from helecopters didn't hurt either!
When I got back this evening I heard the stories from my in-laws. Apparently CNN and NBC were here. I can't tell, there is no television reception right now (typical).
Right now they have a company up there putting out hot spots. We were commended on how we keep brush away from the house, but you really have to out here in the sticks. We are watering around the perimeter.
It was scary, but I'm glad you were here in spirit for me. Thanks. Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Actually, Dan, I think that all the hatrackers blowing on the flames would have probably made it worse.. O_o;;
But I'm glad you're OK, eslaine!!
Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :
Thanks Ryuko. That means much.
Grrrr. Looks like I missed an entire round of dkw's Guess the Author game!
Oh, well. I think I have a pretty good guess this time, and, failing that, remembered to critique! (poor PSI Teleport)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Glad you're all safe, and all is well! (((((Erik & family)))))
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
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