PHOTO: It wasn't a mansion. But it was home.

[Bluebear]

Thinking of California today.

[robinlynne]

1. shit. I'm worried about the wild animal park. It can't be easy evacuating elephants and lions.

[hlthe2b]

2. Are they evacuating?

You mean the wild park to the north of SD and not the zoo, right?

[robinlynne]

8. yes. a DU poster says they're asking for volunteers to go help.

[begin_within]

14. Here's something that will make your blood boil. Maybe you shouldn't read it.

Four years ago, in the Cedar Fire, a guy who had more than 100 rare and exotic birds of many species. His area was evacuated, and he could have opened the cages to let the birds go. But he thought there was a chance that the fire might not reach his property, so he left the birds there in their cages, and they were all burned to death.

[mopinko]

24. letting birds go would NOT ensure their survival.

don't assume this person acted out of greed. letting birds go is usually a precursor to a slow, painful death. unless they are blessed with a quick kill by a predator. caged birds have no idea how to survive in the wild. especially a wild full of smoke and fire.
turn the temp down on your blood, man.

[NorthernSpy]

26. but can you think of a worse way to die?

Trapped in a cage, with the flames coming nearer, starting to burn you...


I think that's what people react to.

[mopinko]

28. would i rather have a fairly quick but painful death or

spend a week trying to figure out what happened to my home and my "tribe" while i starved? i'll take the flames, thanks.

[roguevalley]

30. smoke inhalation kills things before they burn. what a terrible,

terrible choice he had. I feel bad for all involved. and, in this inferno, there are thousands and thousands of animals, birds and insects dying. this is so very, very terrible.

[DesertRat]

21. They aren't evacuating the large animals

"Smaller animals, including California condors, were moved to the park's hospital Sunday. Other animals are being kept in their large field enclosures, which are considered to be safer because the vegetation is sparse."
http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_295121707.html

[Midlodemocrat]

3. God, that's just heartbreaking. I can't imagine how frightened the residents

must be. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

[Yael]

4. Holy WOW

devastating. :(

[ronnykmarshall]

5. Thank you

This Californian thanks you!

[Cooley Hurd]

6. Oh my God...

Praying everyone got out and the insurance companies don't pull any of the shit they did after Katrina.:(

[malaise]

7. So am I

Stay safe everyone. :grouphug:

[DesertRat]

9. So sad for everyone involved

We lived through wildfire one summer and all you can do is sit back helplessly and wait. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of the fires, especially the firefighters.

[devilgrrl]

10. Yes, but did they "hate America" as knuckle-dragger Glenn Beck asserts?

eom

[baldguy]

11. I guess he doesn't live in San Diego.

[devilgrrl]

13. Check out this thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2109298

It'll make your stomach turn. :-(

[begin_within]

12. San Diego was hit hard 4 years ago, and now again. How about some other place, say

*cough cough* Bohemian Grove *cough cough* to suffer from a naturally-occuring, not human-started wildfire?

[SoCalDem]

15. BACK YOUR CARS INTO THE STREET..park in front of the house

Cars in driveways , carports & garages always burn.. the ones in the streets can survive sometimes.. That's one less loss for the family..

If they cannot take all their cars when they evacuate...

[lonestarnot]

16. Bosses stepdaughter evacuated.

[SeattleGirl]

17. God, that's a horrible picture.

I know that there are a lot of people who have lost homes, and many more whose homes are in danger. I can't imagine what it would be like, and I pray that, first, the people and the animals stay safe, and second, that as few homes as possible are destroyed.

Thinking of everyone in SoCal.

[cboy4]

18. What are you talking about Bluebear. Look at that

luxury car burning on the driveway.

Thanks for this thread. :hug:

[Sparkly]

19. I can't imagine

what that must feel like. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this. :cry: :grouphug:

[pacalo]

20. Wow -- I'm so sorry for the Californians in harm's way. Very appropriate photo caption, Bluebear.

[midnight]

22. That looks horrible... Is that your home bluebear?

[Bluebear]

23. Oh no darling, thank you. I am in New Hampshire.

[stevedeshazer]

25. No one deserves this

Some regular folks just had their lives ruined.

I imagine family pictures and a million memories destroyed.

I know people whose houses have burned down. One family from my childhood lost their only son.

This is serious stuff.

[Olney Blue]

27. Oh no. This is so sad.

:-(

[Theres-a]

29. K & R

[terrya]

31. Thank you

I'm so saddened about the people who have lost their homes in these fires. :-(