The alert sounded at about 12:30 this morning: “prepare to evacuate!” A wind-blown fire had jumped across the valley in the next county over and was racing down the hills toward us. We quickly packed and put all our essentials in the car and waited for further news. Fortunately, the winds died down a bit and the fire slowed its progress. This evening they’ve reversed direction and we’re now (maybe) safe. The mandatory evacuation zone came to within a half mile of our house. My wife is still panicked. We lost our previous house on only 15 minutes notice before the wall of fire hit. We barely made it out with just the clothes we’d worn the day before. Two neighbors didn’t make it out.

Today the sky was orange and the sun was a pale blur trying to peek through. It looked like snow falling outside and the yard is now covered in white. While the weather report said that we would hit 107°F today, we only got up to 85°F because of all the smoke. Humidity made it down to single digits for a while before the wind shifted and brought a sea breeze. At least a few dozen houses were lost (and probably a lot more) and several thousand people (along with animals, big and small) were evacuated to the County Fair Grounds evacuation center.

I rather thought we would be safe, as the main evacuation center is only a few blocks from the house, as is

JesusA (imported) wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:49 pm the largest hospital in the county.

I’ve been running on adrenalin all day, but I’m now ready to collapse for the night. I’d happily take whatever bad weather any of you are experiencing....

JesusA (imported) wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:17 pm The alert sounded at about 12:30 this morning:

“prepare to evacuate!”

JesusA (imported) wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:17 pm A wind-blown fire had jumped across the valley in the next county over and was racing down the hills toward us. We quickly packed and put all our essentials in the car and waited for further news. Fortunately, the winds died down a bit and the fire slowed its progress. This evening they

’ve reversed direction and we’

JesusA (imported) wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:17 pm re now (maybe) safe. The mandatory evacuation zone came to within a half mile of our house. My wife is still panicked. We lost our previous house on only 15 minutes notice before the wall of fire hit. We barely made it out with just the clothes we’d worn the day before. Two neighbors didn’t make it out.

Today the sky was orange and the sun was a pale blur trying to peek through. It looked like snow falling outside and the yard is now covered in white. While the weather report said that we would hit 107°F today, we only got up to 85°F because of all the smoke. Humidity made it down to single digits for a while before the wind shifted and brought a sea breeze. At least a few dozen houses were lost (and probably a lot more) and several thousand people (along with animals, big and small) were evacuated to the County Fair Grounds evacuation center.

I rather thought we would be safe, as the main evacuation center is only a few blocks from the house, as is

JesusA (imported) wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:17 pm 940]
the largest hospital in the county.
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quote]


I’ve been running on adrenalin al

JesusA (imported) wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:17 pm l day, but I’m now ready to collapse for the night. I’d happily tak

e whatever bad weather any of you are experiencing....

Jesus,

First, thank all the gods in heaven that you and your wife are safe! Next, give your wife a big hug. Sometimes it's only the little things that we can be thankful for and yo did have a chance to pack up important papers and hopefully a few treasures. Use e the resources they make available like Red Cross and FEMA. Hopefully, you were able to get your insurance papers as well.

Now, seriously, what can the community here do to help you? What can I do to help you?

I don't have any points at hotels but, I do sometimes have credit card points and Amazon points (which are about as good as cash o Amazon). Your insurance should have "loss of use" in the policy which will pay you for hotel stays. You might need to travel out of town and people can donate airline miles.

Please don't let pride get i the way - if there is something you need that your insurance isn't covering, please let the group know. I am fresh out of Airline and Hotel points after my move to Florida. However, I do have other kinda of credit card points and Amazon gift cards that I can donate.

Enough about the physical. Once again, I really do mean it when i say, I'm grateful you are safe and that your wife is as well. You house can be replaced, I know that a house is just four walls and a roof but, a home is everything your build inside those over a lifetime. Still, you both are alive and you can rebuild the house and turn it back into a home.

TMFL

Thanks for idea, TopMan. I have a lot of points at Best Western and Quality Inns. Have used before for other people, so I know it would work.

The fire line seems to be holding. The change in wind direction is blowing the flames back over burned territory. There have been no new evacuation warnings since last night. (Dave and I were on the phone as it came in.) THe smell of smoke is still heavy, but the sky is no longer orange.

Thank you for the idea of using hotel points (and frequent flyer miles) to help. I will be making the offer to friends who have been evacuated.

I tried to tell you, you could have got a house here in Indiana for pennies compared to CA. pricing, but then again, you also get the threat of the New Madrid fault, tornadoes, and all the drama that goes with Midwest thunderstorm season. Never mind the winters. Glad to know you're safe for now.

Arab Nights (imported) wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2016 12:42 am After back to back hurricanes

in Homestead, FL, there was an interview clip of a resident who said he was

Arab Nights (imported) wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2016 12:42 am thinking of moving to Flagstaff, AZ.

Aside from the occasional touchdown of the jet stream, Flagstaff has seen little excitement since a basalt flow toasted some Indian corn pre-Colombus.

JesusA (imported) wrote: Wed Sep 30, 2020 6:02 am The fire line seems to be holding. The change in wind direction is blowing the flames back over burned territory. There have been no new evacuation warnings since last night. (Dave and I were on the phone as it came in.) THe smell of smoke is still heavy, but the sky is no longer orange.

Thank you for the idea of using hotel points (and frequent flyer miles) to help. I will be making the offer to friends who have been evacuated.

:)Glad your safe and the weather here is dry with fire danger. Ernie of Maine

It's turned cold and rainy here it's 46 degrees and foggy last week it was in the 80's and we needed AC Northwestern Pennsylvania weather.

Chesleyt (imported) wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2020 4:11 am It's turned cold and rainy here it's 46 degrees and foggy last week it was in the 80's and we needed AC Northwestern Pennsylvania weather.

My Mom grew up very near Elmira NY and I remember visiting there more than once to look at the fall foliage in October. Back then, we just had the car radio and a AAA map to guide us and we'd either head down from the Southern Tier into Pennsylvania or north to the Finger Lakes to find good pictures.

Enjoy the weather while it's cool and you haven't gotten the snow yet.

@Chesleyt, you live in a very beautiful part of the country with real seasons. I live in a part of the country with two seasons - "hot" and "not as hot". But, I can't complain when it's 80 here and there is snow in Pennsylvania.

Although some Autumn colors can be seen,

HOT!

DRY!

No Marine Layer for a long time.

Air seems dusty.

The corn is ripe and the critters get some

and I get less. So sweet and tender picked

and eaten with no storage.

Moi