UPDATE... Okay the latest fire in So. Cal. is burning about a mile away from my house.

[cherokeeprogressive]

Last edited Sun Aug 23, 2015, 10:09 PM - Edit history (1)

I took these pictures earlier this afternoon. Fingers crossed!

ETA 7 pm: 30% contained. Numerous tankers on the job, along with a handful of helicopters. El Pollo Loco closed for the day at 3 pm in order to make 500 meals for the firefighters and law enforcement personnel. Numerous hotels/resorts/B&Bs offering free lodging for displaced homeowners/renters. Once again the community comes together in support of its own and those who help keep us safe. I love this place; the sense of community is fucking awesome.

[Beaverhausen]

1. Oh no. Where are you?

Hope you stay safe.

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. I'm in the San Bernardino National Forest about a mile from the "Summit Fire".

Started this afternoon at about 12:30. Ashes falling in my yard now. I think they're getting a handle on it though. Glad we have a reverse-911 system.

[annabanana]

4. Oh please be careful

fingers crossed indeed

[dixiegrrrrl]

33. which way is the wind blowing...?????

and do you have an escape route?

[malaise]

3. That is frightening

Please make sure you have all your important stuff read to move if necessary. Stay safe!

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Wel have all the important papers in place. We could be out in about 5 minutes...

If they were ever to need Bear Valley evactuated though it would be a total nightmare. There are three lanes in, and three lanes out. Three two lane roads for about 18,000 people.

Looks like they're getting a handle on it though. The DC-10 is here. It's flown over my house about four times at an altitude of about a thousand feet.

[haikugal]

7. Don't wait...leave.

Nothing worse than having to drive through a fire..

Stay safe and please let us know how this works out.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. Thanks. Our firefighters are kicking it's ass along with the tanker pilots.

I'm online with the local community website and there are people posting from the location of the fire. It seems as though the worst may be over and they are considering letting the people evacuated from around 500 homes back.

[haikugal]

11. That's good news...I had a close call years ago.

Let us know when it's knocked down, please. We care about you.

Thanks for the come back.

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. Here's a cool link that shows where the fire is and who's been evacuated.

I'm in the area of Juniper and Teakwood, about 2 O'Clock from the top right corner of the red box which denotes the fire.

ETA: linky

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zFrgA6g9DD8I.kYPrfUPU6cLM&usp=sharing

[haikugal]

20. .

[emsimon33]

36. You are in Big Bear

Are helicopters using the lake for a source of water to drop on the fire?

[cherokeeprogressive]

38. All of them.

The fire seems to have laid down nicely overnight.

[emsimon33]

44. Good.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Having lived in Arizona and now living in California, these fires are a constant worry. With the drought, even more so.

[oldandhappy]

6. Go now! You can always come back.

I waited last year until the bull horns came around. Then the streets are full!

Be safe. Hugs.

[PoliticAverse]

9. Got marshmallows?

Best wishes to you!

[AuntPatsy]

10. Fingers crossed with you, stay safe...

[Sissyk]

12. Wow! That looks really close.

Take care of youself!

[Hekate]

14. Best wishes from Santa Barbara County

Stay safe

[newfie11]

15. If your still home leave now

That fire can move at incredible speed.
We came close to loosing our place years ago. The fire was jumping large distances and as we were driving out(with 14 horses and 3 dogs) the ash was smearing the windshield and that along with the smoke caused us to go slower than we wanted to.

Stay safe my friend. Remember no property is worth your life. Leave now.

[eridani]

16. Oh shit. Please stay safe! n/t

[Initech]

17. One of my brothers' good friends is in the National Guard...

And has been fighting these fires for the last two and a half weeks. That's pretty incredible. I'm really hoping these won't reach homes in that area.

[Marrah_G]

18. YIKES!

I can't imagine.

[etherealtruth]

19. Hoping beyond all hope that everything remains safe for you and yours

[suffragette]

21. Please be safe!

[MissDeeds]

22. Please don't take any chances

Better to leave now and be safe. So sorry you're having to deal with this.

Best of luck.

[cui bono]

23. Yikes! I agree with others... get out now!

If you wait until it's mandatory you could get stuck in traffic.

Stay safe!

[bigwillq]

24. Hope everything works out OK for you.

Stay safe.

[cherokeeprogressive]

25. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONCERN. The firefighters are once again kicking ass. 30% containment.

Looks like it's holding at 100 acres.

You guys are fucking awesome.

We'll be okay. Truck's loaded with the needed stuff. I know of a couple dirt roads on the north side of the lake that lead off the mountain. Fire is on the south side of the lake so if the word comes, we'll be down before most others.

We're prepared and I'm keeping my eye on the sitch.

Thanks again!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. I'm glad you're OK...You've got your wits about you.

[redwitch]

30. Sending my best wishes for all in harm's way.

And damn! Firefighters are awesome! And, crazy. Thank goodness!

[840high]

34. Be safe.

[SummerSnow]

27. Leave now and get to a safe place. Be careful.

[sheshe2]

28. The images are frightening.

Stay safe.

[PumpkinAle]

29. Was near Carson City

Lake Topaz, Markleeville area - the whole area is full of smoke from the various fires. Driving in the mountains and seeing the devastation is heartbreaking.

Sending out good thoughts to you and to all those fighting the fires.

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. A strike team left from San Diego 2 hours ago

it was a structure protection strike team. They formed up, got some chow and headed north. So did a couple of the Air Attack units from Air Base Ramona. They will be staying overnight at Hemmet.

It is expected to be hotter than the cool side of the Sun tomorrow. which will not help, but humidity will be high. That should help. Stay safe.

(yeah, yeah, I know what AA means, but not everybody does)

[riversedge]

32. I hope you and your family will be safe.

[emsimon33]

35. Soak down your house, from the roof down if you can

A friend lived in Lakeside (San Diego County) during the Wild Cat Canyon fire. They always kept the bush cleared from their property. When they were alerted that the fire was heading over the hill toward their house, she and her husband turned on the sprinklers, took down curtains from windows and moved furniture away from windows, and soaked down the house before leaving. Their house was the only one in the neighborhood that was spared.

Be careful. I worked at CSUSB for awhile and I know how windy that area is. Good luck!

The sky this morning in the five Cities area of the Central Coast was darkened by smoke clouds. I didn't realize that there was also a fire in your area.

[malaise]

37. Another update please

Stay safe

[cherokeeprogressive]

40. Still dark here but the fire seems to have laid down nicely overnight.

Haven heard any helicopters since about 10 last night. Faint smokey smell, not much ash falling at the moment to speak of. I'll know more in a while when I get to work.

Letcha know.

[malaise]

43. Good news

[Vinca]

39. That's terrifying! What a nightmare. Stay safe.

[cherokeeprogressive]

41. I am getting the feeling that when the morning briefing is held; the news will be very good.

Seems to have laid down nicely overnight.

[Vinca]

42. Let's hope for some rain.

Although at this point, with so many trees gone, your next problem could be mud slides. You live in a beautiful place just the same. Eventually it will go back to some kind of normalcy.

[emsimon33]

45. Good news. Please keep us updated.