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I'm okay... We're okay. Still not out of the woods, thoug...
8 months ago
Dear Fellow FA Artists, Friends, Fans, Writers, Crafters and other highly creative people.
Last Monday night into Tuesday Morning the Pasadena area and surrounding communities were hit with cold arctic winds, some gusting up to 100 MPH. The Electricity in our area was knocked out in the morning, and there wasn't much else to do but listen to the news on my Transistor radio and pack up in case we had to evacuate the premises. It was during the early evening when I got word of the Palisades Fire and the destruction that was being wrought by the combination of drought dry vegetation and very high winds. Shortly after dusk, I stared to smell wood smoke, and I heard on the radio that a wildfire had broken out in the hills above Altadena, a community just to the North-East of Pasadena. We could see the fire line quite clearly from our house on the hill, and as a precaution, my friend Noah and I loaded our "Bug out bags" and selected "Treasures " into the truck just in case the fire would spread into our area. I decided to sleep in my shoes that night, and I'm glad I did.
I was awakened about 4:30 AM by Noah knocking on my door. He told me that the police were announcing that the neighborhood had to be evacuated and to report to a gathering point which we believed was the parking lot next to the local Ralph's. The most difficult procedure of our ordeal was getting my pet cat "Rey" into her kitty carrier. We waited about four hours at that location for the "All Clear" signal, until Schirm went on scouting a trip to determine if it was safe to return to his place. Once it was determined it was safe to leave Noah took off to put some of his "Treasures" into his storage locker, while I had Schirm drive me and Rey back to the house. Schirm had to drive a roundabout course through the higher end community, where damages by the high winds was evident with toppled trees and broken off limbs. I unloaded my stuff and put Rey still in her carrier into the living room and then went to fetch my computer tower. Rey was so excited to be back home that she burst out of the flimsy cardboard carrier through a weakened seam. I half expected her to run under my bed or the couch, but instead she started begging for breakfast as if nothing happened.
Well good for her! I spent the rest of the day making contacts with my family and friends through my Android phone, to let them know I was okay. By Wednesday evening, the winds had abated considerably, and since the electricity was still out, Noah and I decided to go out to "Too-ee's" in South Pasadena. This proved to be the perfect "Catharsis" for the two of us, because the good food and conversation lightened our moods greatly. Upon our return I was so relieved to see that the lights were on again and I looked forward to sleeping that night in comfort. I decided to go straight to bed instead of unpacking my bags, but I plan to leave the medi-kit and my clothing bags packed until I'm certain the Eaton Canyon fire is completely under control.
We're safe for now, but we're still not out of the woods yet. There are predictions that the winds will return in a few days, although not as strongly. Also, there are spot fires breaking out every few hours it seems. One arsonist has been caught, but there might be a few "Copycats" out there setting blazes to stretch out the protective services even further. Wish us luck that things will return to normal soon.
"Peace."
Last Monday night into Tuesday Morning the Pasadena area and surrounding communities were hit with cold arctic winds, some gusting up to 100 MPH. The Electricity in our area was knocked out in the morning, and there wasn't much else to do but listen to the news on my Transistor radio and pack up in case we had to evacuate the premises. It was during the early evening when I got word of the Palisades Fire and the destruction that was being wrought by the combination of drought dry vegetation and very high winds. Shortly after dusk, I stared to smell wood smoke, and I heard on the radio that a wildfire had broken out in the hills above Altadena, a community just to the North-East of Pasadena. We could see the fire line quite clearly from our house on the hill, and as a precaution, my friend Noah and I loaded our "Bug out bags" and selected "Treasures " into the truck just in case the fire would spread into our area. I decided to sleep in my shoes that night, and I'm glad I did.
I was awakened about 4:30 AM by Noah knocking on my door. He told me that the police were announcing that the neighborhood had to be evacuated and to report to a gathering point which we believed was the parking lot next to the local Ralph's. The most difficult procedure of our ordeal was getting my pet cat "Rey" into her kitty carrier. We waited about four hours at that location for the "All Clear" signal, until Schirm went on scouting a trip to determine if it was safe to return to his place. Once it was determined it was safe to leave Noah took off to put some of his "Treasures" into his storage locker, while I had Schirm drive me and Rey back to the house. Schirm had to drive a roundabout course through the higher end community, where damages by the high winds was evident with toppled trees and broken off limbs. I unloaded my stuff and put Rey still in her carrier into the living room and then went to fetch my computer tower. Rey was so excited to be back home that she burst out of the flimsy cardboard carrier through a weakened seam. I half expected her to run under my bed or the couch, but instead she started begging for breakfast as if nothing happened.
Well good for her! I spent the rest of the day making contacts with my family and friends through my Android phone, to let them know I was okay. By Wednesday evening, the winds had abated considerably, and since the electricity was still out, Noah and I decided to go out to "Too-ee's" in South Pasadena. This proved to be the perfect "Catharsis" for the two of us, because the good food and conversation lightened our moods greatly. Upon our return I was so relieved to see that the lights were on again and I looked forward to sleeping that night in comfort. I decided to go straight to bed instead of unpacking my bags, but I plan to leave the medi-kit and my clothing bags packed until I'm certain the Eaton Canyon fire is completely under control.
We're safe for now, but we're still not out of the woods yet. There are predictions that the winds will return in a few days, although not as strongly. Also, there are spot fires breaking out every few hours it seems. One arsonist has been caught, but there might be a few "Copycats" out there setting blazes to stretch out the protective services even further. Wish us luck that things will return to normal soon.
"Peace."
There's now a report that one suspect has been arrested, suspected of being the arsonist to at least five separate fires. Seven are officially dead. Though that is just a super early count, as up to ten thousand structures have already been lost and most of the fire is, as of yet, uncontained. No telling how many fought for their homes, unaware of how fast the fire would be spreading. Of course the Hollywood Hills one is now being contained. Somewhere around thirty-one thousand acres have already been lost and it is going to balloon far past that amount. Doesn't help when firefighters tap into hydrants that have no water. (The blame is that the power company has voluntarily shut down lines, leaving vital pumps off that would have otherwise helped to keep the water flowing.) Streets were gridlocked with abandoned cars when owners fled on foot. Not to mention other bad choices that have escalated the issues.
I bet after all this is done, insurance companies are going to quietly conduct an evacuation of their own.
My home is presently insured for half a mil, and if it were destroyed damn right I'd expect every dime of it. And damned straight I'd be getting a lawyer if they wouldn't, and squeeze more out of them for dragging their feet.
I remember leading a local prepper group in the early 2000s. Folks didn't believe the value of a B.O.B. or a pandemic kit (n95 masks, gloves, eye shields, cleaning gear, etc) then Covid hit. Folks wised up fast and I got quite a few calls from members saying "you were right".
It's better to be prepared, kids.
On a somewhat related subject, I was watching a few videos about these self contained mini homes that various places are now making. Some use solar cells on the roof and a ton of batteries to stay off the grid. Electric toilets and gray water tanks to be free of sewer services. (Water the lawn with the dirty dish water and shower water.) Just need a garden hose to fill the fresh water tanks with. While there will have to be some high maintenance bills down the road, this stuff is getting pretty smart in light of aging utilities that are doing mandatory power outage periods. And even the Tesla models are aiming to be very affordable. Great drop and live solutions for all that space that Los Angeles is going to have, once the destroyed neighborhoods are cleaned up.
-Sends lots of hugs.-
Honestly, isn't 2025 going to be bad enough...?
We can't chalk up a year that's started so soon.
But yeah, this is sheer hell for those in the area. Even where I live, I have a bug out bag handly, got too much easily flammable fields around the place myself. Came close 3 years ago when a tossed cigarette managed to spark dry leaves on fire along the side of the building and the building insulation, basically 60s era wood pulp caught like a punk for lighting fireworks and smoldered up within the walls. I thought neighbors next door were burning a fire again til I saw smoke pouring out from a door frame and outside smoke rolling from under the siding. I could feel the heat a good 2 feet up and I alerted the neighbor upstairs. I started pulling siding from the front and splashing water on the insulation. My neighbor was in panic mode, I told her to call the fire department. After several minutes, no sign of the fire department. I yelled at her to assist at minimum filling a bucket with water to soak the insulation, which she did. After a good hour the fire was out. I asked her why didn't she call the fire department, Her answer was she was utterly scared and panicked. Landlord came over to view the damage then said "Pity you were here and put it out, I rather wash my hands of this place." Needless to say, this didn't please her tenants one bit. Landlord had the damaged siding replaced. But we both suspect the tossed cigarette came from the panicked neighbor, who smoked at the time, and didn't want to be blamed. But it couldn't be proved. She since quit smoking cigarettes and switched to vaping. We now keep dry leaves fully away from the building.
Glad to hear that you are alright and safe!!!!