We are all packed up here at my mom's house...ready for what could be the inevitable. Daniel and I sought refuge here...and here we are again...packing the cars. This time in a greater magnitude. We have packed up most the photos...my parents only wedding portraits left, photos of our childhood, photos of the grandkids, and grandparents. The xterra is jam packed with things that are important to us; to my parents and to me. My dogs are harnessed and ready to go, the bird is in its cage and shiloh, we'll grab him on the way out.
Mt. Miguel once was just a name I identified to my high school. Now its the mountain burning in front of my parent's house. Daniel came into my room about 3am and said the ridge of the mountain is burning. I walked out and was just startled...i dont know why...i guess i didnt want to believe it. But when i seen it, my whole body trembled for a brief moment. At that moment, i woke my parents and told them to get ready for the worse case scenario...here we are 3 hours later...waiting to go. We have not had the reverse 9-1-1 call as of yet. But we know its close. Mt Miguel is practically almost all charred. The fire really has no where else to go, but to the reservoir and to the surrounding populated areas. Bonita and Sunnyside is in imminent danger. Dictionary Hill has been evacuated. The fire is coming really close...too close to comfort.
This experience this morning is more surreal than yesterday. My parents are in a frenzy, they were absolutely sure that the fire wouldn't head this way...my oh my were they taken by surprise. My dad really did not know what do...my mom packed almost everything. Nonetheless, we got everything that means something to us. The phones are on the charger and we are ready to roll.
All this has really got me stressed out. my stomach has pains and i haven't slept since noon yesterday. my ass is tired. Spuds...you need to go home and pack your shit! get all your important papers, family pics, essentials and necessities and be ready. The fire is coming right at us buddy. Why the hell are you at work? home depot can make it without us! My ass is calling in today...my family is way more important than work! Go save your sister!
In any case, as soon as the sun comes up...we'll see what kind of chance this place has. Hopefully sun up will come soon enough so we can have those air tankers in the air to save spring valley and its surrounding neighborhoods. Imagine 300,000 people have been evacuated. Where do people pick up from here? What happens next? Where will all these people go? As soon as day breaks...more valuable information will be readily available. Hopefully the winds will be more forgiving today...hopefully the fire squads from the north are just on the outskirts of town and are ready to help. I hope things begin to more forward on a positive note....
Thanks to all the firefighters who are risking their lives to save our county....may GOD bless you all.
