A long monday as spudies would say it...a long monday since the last blog but more closely, a long monday for an evacuee. Yesterday was the precursor for the events of today. Actually, in all reality, Saturday night would be the precursor. Here's why: anytime the weatherman on any news channel indicates that there will be Santa Ana winds coming through the San Diego area, a fire always sparks. Coincidence? Who knows. Sunday, the Harris fire and the Witch Creek fires may have been the only ones burning....known to the general population. Come Monday morning, practically all of East County San Diego is in flames.
4 years ago, I was also forced to evacuate my home in the Tierrasanta area. During that time, I was living in the El Dorado Hills Apartments. I tell you that was a scare for me. I was not able to grab anything and evacuate, except for the clothes on my back and my purse. I had awaken to a glowing glaze across the skies...not knowing what it was I didnt think any thing of it. Up until my mom called and told me to tune into the news...holy shit...the fires were at Scripps Ranch, just a highway north of me. Next thing I knew, helicopters were flying over head telling everyone to evacuate. Totally surreal at the time. I got in my car and headed to my parents house. For two days I waited, until I was able to go back and survey my place...thank GOD it was untouched by flames. However, the surrounding areas were practically charred. It was one foot away from the apartment complex...one foot!
4 years later...2007...i am in the same situation again. Approximately at 3:30pm it was televised that the Scripps Ranch Area pack up and leave...a mandatory evacuation. The roads were absolutely a disaster. Cars lined up to get onto the highway. It took us seriously, 20 minutes to get onto the I15, when it would normally have taken us 5 minutes or less. This time, I was able to grab what was important and essential to us. Daniel and I left our home in hopes it will still be there tomorrow. So far, no fires in Scripps Ranch, our evacuation was just precautionary and hopefully will remain so. We hope that they will let us back into our homes tomorrow sometime. Being displaced from a place you call home, is never fun. Even when you see refuge at your parent's house...a house i grew up in. Its just not the same.
This by far is the worse fire in San Diego history...i believe it is safe to say that this has outgrown the cedar fires of 2003. The fires are all around the San Diego county. From my moms house, to the north, the Witch fire continues to burn whats in its path, to the east the Harris fire climbs through the rugged terrain making its way to populated areas, to the northeast, the Witch fire continues to be creeping all through Ramona and surrounding areas. The air is filled with smoke. The sense in the air is one of stress and worry....a sense of urgency lingers.
I pray for us all....
