I just got off the phone with my 95-year-old father.

[MineralMan]

He lives in Fillmore, CA, a small town in Ventura County. They've shut off the power there, due to the high winds, so he called on his cell phone, which had a low battery, but we talked for a while. He's going to fire up a generator to run his refrigerator and charge his phone. I'll hear more later, I'm sure.

There's no fire, but he said Southern California Edison says the power will be off until tomorrow. He'll be OK, and I hope no fires get started. Fillmore is a couple of high ridges away from the Simi Valley, where the fire is burning near the Reagan Library. The wind's blowing in the wrong direction, though, for the fire to move in his direction.

[malaise]

1. Does he have a car charger for the phone

Hope you dad and mom stay safe

[MineralMan]

3. He probably doesn't. But, he can use the

regular charger with the generator.

My mom is in a nursing home in the next town from there. I don't know if its electricity is out, but he has been to see her and will go back again this afternoon.

[malaise]

5. I'm hoping for the best for all our family and friends in California

This is now an annual disaster

[MineralMan]

6. Thanks so much.

Yes, climate change is making the fires and winds in California much worse, I think.

[Ohiogal]

2. Your dad sounds pretty self sufficient for his age

I wish him all the best and I hope he stays safe. That's got to be a terrifying situation out there where he is.

[MineralMan]

4. He is. He lives on a citrus/avocado farm.

At last count, I think there were three generators there. He probably had one all gassed up and ready to go to work. He'll be fine.

[MoonchildCA]

7. I have a friend who lives there as well.

She's disabled and "couch bound." They live in senior housing in town and had their electricity off for two days a couple of weeks ago.
It's really difficult for her because she can't get out, walk around, or anything. She just sits on the couch with her phone dead, waiting...

I work in Ventura, and live near Ojai. We haven't had our power turned off yet in either place, so far.

[MineralMan]

9. Ojai is likely to see a power outage if this keeps up.

Everyone should be OK, though, but it's really inconvenient, especially for our elders.

[secondwind]

8. I hope your dad will be okay, he sounds like someone who knows what to do in an emergency!

[MineralMan]

10. He'll be OK. I'm sure he had everything set up for this.

I don't worry about him. He knows his limitations and won't get overtired.

[Polly Hennessey]

11. We just went through mandatory

power outage here in the Sierra Foothills. Strange scene seeing/not seeing any businesses open. Total darkness. Our electricity came back on yesterday. Your father sounds like quite a guy. Wish he had been in my area.

[MineralMan]

12. My father is very self-sufficient. Stubborn, too.

For him, it's just another day. The power will come back on, he knows. He's not worried. He's right, too. He'll drive over to see my mom again later today. He still drives. But only on surface streets with little traffic. He probably shouldn't, but try telling him that.

[SWBTATTReg]

13. At least you have good people on the ground keeping a very close eye on things in CA...

that's a good thing, and one can sleep better knowing that there are very competent and very able people on the ground keeping a close eye on things and they are very aware of the needs of special needs people in case evacuations are needed. Keep safe and of course, best wishes. The winds I'm hearing about out there are amazing...I never knew how powerful they can be out there.

[MineralMan]

14. My sister and her husband live in the same town as my father.

My brother-in-law will be out there shortly. I called him right after talking to my dad. We have a network available to respond when there's a need. It's the best we can do, due to my father's independence and stubbornness. Any time something's going on, someone drops in on my dad to make sure everything is going OK. Neighbors, relatives, etc.