I hadn't heard of any fires when I Went to the gym today, but while working out the sky outside started to change. Walked outside and the smoke was readily evident. Didn't know where it was but it seemed close.

By the time I finish working out and get to teh radio in my truck they're talking about the "Malibu Fire", the "Hwy 78 Fire" and the "Harris Fire", the latter two being in San Diego County.

Geez they can become dangerous fast. Four Firefighters sent to the burn center after the fire overtook their vehicle (firetruck?). Not good.

For smoke I keep N-95 masks in the truck but for some reason I didn't have one in my EDC backpack (that does extra duty as my gym bag). That problem is fixed, two masks are now in the first aid kit. They make good smoke filters.

Did you get the wonderful “snow” of falling ash, too? (Sadly, that is the most prevalent form of “snow” in Southern California.)

No snow yet, just that burning brush haze, particles too fine to see. The snow will come.

Y'know, that's probably one of the few things I hated about SoCal. The winds get all the dust in your eyes, your lips chap after the first day, you're walking at a 45 degree angle into the wind...

But, geez, it's kind of late this year for fires to just be kicking in. Have there been others that weren't as news-worthy?

As I recall this is the first Santa Ana of '07. Without that hot dry wind the fires don't do as well. There was a fire out on Santa Catalina that came real close to Avalon, but this is the first fire of significance on the mainland as I recall. I could have missed something.

Lots of evacuations ongoing in San Diego. SD Sheriff just called it worse than the Cedar Fire of 4 years ago which was really bad. It's already jumped I-15 and I-15 just north of me has been closed.

This is one of those times when I pack the truck and wait for the all clear. Same thing I did 4 years ago. Just glad I don't live a few miles north.

Latest info has 18,000 acres on fire in San Diego County.

Actually, with the lack of rain the past couple years, fire season is pretty much year round these days, even without any Santa Ana winds and the accompanying very low humidity to contend with.

One of the dozen fires to have sprung us since yesterday is really, really close to where I used to live earlier this year. I never really considered that neighborhood to be in any particular danger from wildfires, so this spate of fires has been personally sobering. I called my friend who still lives there and she says the smoke is quite heavy at times, although there are no evacuation orders for her area. She can't see any flames from her house even though the fire is pretty close. I don't know which is worse, being able to see the flames, or knowing that the fire is close but not being to see it.

Personally, I wouldn't wait for evacuation orders. I can think for myself.

By the time the smoke is getting kind of heavy, I've got my gear and pets loaded, and we would be headed out. The cats and the hens would be pi$$ed, but the dogs would think we were going on an adventure. I don't need to see the flames, thank you very much!

BTW, who actually gives an order for people to evacuate? I'm hoping it isn't some dimwitted politician.

Sue

Down here in San Diego it seems to a committee decision, but they seem to be evacuating areas early, possibly unnecessarily early, but better that than late. Sheriff was talking about a reverse 9-1-1 system where the emergency center calls you (computer message). If the phone rings tonight it won't be good news.

Here is a space view of the fires, and the resulting smoke, which is luckily being blown out to sea (sorry if it reaches you Aloha)...

Apparently, the "reverse 911" system only works for landline phones, not for cell phones ... the automated messages are sent out based on listed phone numbers in a specific geographic area, and cell phones aren't usually pegged to a specific address.

reverse 9-1-1 was never designed for cell phones, it goes by geo area AFAIK. My cell phone has a different prefix than where I live.

Looks like we dodged the bullet again. We were ready to go and still are; some of our neighbors left before the bell, but somebody needs to be a hold-out. One of my neighbors is with SDFD. He got off late last night and came home for a shower and sleep. Talked with him when I did a neighborhood watch this AM. He was on his way back to work and I'm sure is at the fire now.

Did a little more cleaning up outside, small stuff that can catch a spark. . . need to talk to neighbors on both side re tearing down the old wood fences and replacing with cinderblock/brick. We have a stone-coated steel roof, but with kindling on either side holding up the taller bushes, I don't see the stucco exterior holding up for more than a few short minutes. Maybe build a fireproof (concrete) storage unit offset from the house in the process. Store propane, ammo and other stuff you don't want in a fire outside in a small protected unit. Hopefully we won't get a fire in this canyon.