They are now reporting 31 dead and 200 still missing. Shelters are full. The air quality in the North Bay (Paridise...Camp Fire) is worse than Beijing. You can't see, and you can't breathe. Even if the air looks clear it is filled with horrid particulates that you cannot see.
We are not in the path of the fires in Butte County. (Camp Fire). Butte is about 2 ½ hours north of here. That said, the entire North Bay (from Golden Gate Bridge up) is under a fire watch, and things are so dry it just take a puff of wind to throw a spark in a new area.
What we do have is smoke. I can’t see the hills from where I am sitting, on a hill overlooking Petaluma and out to the hills). The air quality is so horrible. I am kind of holed up at home (which is fine with me).
Now to the south. I lived in Malibu for 20 years. I evacuated there 3 times for fire. People think of Malibu as the beach, but the other side of the highway goes up the hill and into the brush. And that brush is a hop skip and a jump over to Thousand Oaks.
When they called the evacuation of Malibu all I could think is the two lanes in and two lanes out. And that is it. You certainly could not go over the hills to Thousand Oaks or Hidden Hills, etc. It must have been a nightmare. I get really annoyed about the reports in the press about the movie stars who are worried about their homes. I get it....worry is worry.....but those people can rebuild or go to one of their other homes. There are 12,000 people who live in Malibu……….regular people, in regular homes who are not rich, and cannot rebuild easily. And then factor in there is a finite number of builders, lumber, etc.....and you end up in a bad place. Thousand Oaks is a bedroom community. Some stars live there. All of the above applies. And all this does not even take into account the devistation to tiny Paradise.
And President Trump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Although what he said is mostly accurate he was a total A$$ for saying it while people are trying to save each other, and Cal Fire personnel are risking their lives to rescue people, and search for missing people, collect bones and parts of people for identification. The State (I Think)
Ban on removal of live oaks in California
"The state of California bans the removal of certain native trees, including oak trees. Oak trees existed in the state during ancient times, according to the city of Los Angeles, and were used by Native Americans and Spaniards living in the area. Homeowners have the right to remove trees that pose a health or safety risk, but they must petition the city before removing the tree."
It is just a mess. Please continue to keep everyone in your prayers. They are going to need it. And, please keep this thread non-political.
BTW - Someone (Fed or State) is sending a mobile DNA station. People who are missing someone can have their DNA registered so that fragments or unidentifiable bodies can be tested against the DNA on file.
Malibu had to be evacuated, among other areas. The loss of property is going to be staggering, but the loss of life is worse.
