CA - Wind-Driven Thomas Fire Explodes to 31,000 Acres; 150 Structures Destroyed, 2017

[MelmothTheLost]

They’re in need of alfalfa hay, Timothy hay, cat food, rabbit food,

Rabbits do just fine on hay [dried grass] and water. Not only can their digestion be seriously upset by unfamiliar dried food (such as a different brand of pellets or muesli to the one they're used to), but pellets were originally developed by the meat industry to fatten animals up faster.

 

[Lilibet]

I just caught up on posts since I went to bed. Wishing I could share some of my sleep with those who have had none.

I see that San Diego county residents wherever they are have been told to be ready to leave and have their communication plans in place. Please comply! In my one experience with fire in San Diego county, we were in an RV at Santee Lakes Recreation Area. The fire was well north of us closer to Poway, but could have turned and raced down the canyon to the park. Southern CA fires are so unpredictable because of those canyons. Sleepless night. We would have just left the fifth wheel (our full time traveling home) and made a run for it in our truck.

Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers. IQ “phone home” (post when you can). Hugs to all. :heartbeat:

 

[LaborDayRN]

View attachment 127511
View attachment 127512
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/...s-Burning-in-Bonsall_San-Diego-462660123.html
View attachment 127513
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.31621,-117.161103,807m/data=!3m1!1e3

The homes destroyed by the Lilac Fire

Terrible.

 

[FindHG]

PC going on various officials (gist of it, not precise)
Prayers and help for senior displaced by fire
More than 800 to 1000 firefighters
Past experience in knocking fires down good, but devil winds unpredictable
BE VIGILANT and PREPARED
New fire 20 min
Near Alpine 15 acres, Cleveland National Forest, throwing effort to tamp it down quickly (8 acres controlling)
Declaration of Emergency thanked
Shelter 5, 900 sheltering, stage coach and HillsB HS full,
Still room at Palermer, San Marcos, Bostonia and one other open?
211 needs volunteers now, Red Cross (not right now but may later...),
about 270 people have called 211 to volunteer who are appreciated
4100 acres Lilac
15 helos on it this morning
Two helos did night flying last night
150 LE primarily road closures and security against looting
Alert San Diego, please sign up, for update notifications
Follow notifications and warnings: plan, pack, get out, don't wait for Mandatory Evacuation
GET YOURSELF OUT OF HARMS WAY
Returns delayed due to embers, hot spots, down power line, working on it
Public Safety number one
Recovery
www.sdcountyrecovery.com
Donate:
San Diego Foundation
50155 SD Recovery


Flight protocols changing from before
More Resources $460 million, but the dry conditions devil winds
Nothing different about these fire, less humid, lotsa brush, Santa Ana winds, only 3 locations in the world this combo happens
Goal to put them out when small but not always possible

85 structures, quite a few mobile homes (senior homes)
surveying now
much depends on the wind re more evacuation notices

900 hundred in shelters, usually 10 percent of actual evacuation pop, so maybe near 10,000 displaced

211 system explained and other organization and partners who do out reach to vulnerable pops

Today, more helos than before, better comm and response dealing with bigger volume, more response

Investigation of fire: Will take time to determine cause, finding all info first, puzzle pieces, will continue to work the scene.

Very concerned about pro-actively shutting down energy STG&E, which makes water from wells hard to get to in rural areas
~


Fire Putting out hot spots west of 76
Winds are expected until 3 pm
Bonsall residents recouping, checking on neighbors

At Del Mar Fairgrounds, now 12:47
http://www.cbs8.com/story/37018851/lilac-fire-sparks-near-i-15-sr-76-connector-evacuations-in-place


(thanks for all the info Magz :loveyou

IQ :heartbeat:​

I hope all your families and friends who are there have stayed safe and without loss.

 

[crhedBngr]

Power is out in some areas and sporadic at best, but people with cell phones are able to communicate.
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/w...tura-county-forces-thousands-evacuate-n826576
Update: We lost our home. Same for our next door neighbor and house across the street.

I'm so very, very sorry to hear this!

 

[crhedBngr]

I think I might have missed someone...need to go back.

I'm included in this list, but we are okay here. We're in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.

Hoping and praying things settle down here soon.

One of the interviewees not only lost his home, which was in the family for 30 years, but his wife passed three weeks ago! Horrible.

Lastly, thanks Margarita for all of your updates!

 

[Hraefn]

I'm included in this list, but we are okay here. We're in the South Bay area.

Looks like some air warnings are starting in the Bay Area due to the smoke drifting. Keep those lungs safe! :heartbeat:

 

[crhedBngr]

Looks like some air warnings are starting in the Bay Area due to the smoke drifting. Keep those lungs safe! :heartbeat:

Thank you! I will do so; the air quality down here isn't the best.

Just checking on the air quality for the Los Angeles Basin. Looks like moderate (81 particulates).

Enclosing a graphic for ALL California air quality (click for a larger view):

 

[verbonica]

Looks like some air warnings are starting in the Bay Area due to the smoke drifting. Keep those lungs safe! :heartbeat:

Just to clarify, the "Bay Area" they are referring to is the SF Bay Area (+/- 500 miles north):
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Air-experts-Smoke-from-Southern-California-fires-12414680.php

The "South Bay" in southern California refers to the area around Long Beach.

SF "Bay Area" also has a "South Bay", however, so it's sort of confusing.

Nevertheless, it is amazing that the smoke has managed to work its way north 500 miles! We have it here in the North SF Bay Area too, since yesterday... an eerie reminder of what we went through with massive fires here 2 months ago.

 

[FindHG]

North County Public Info Officer: John
Don't come back until residents get all clear.
Compliments crews since yesterday. Firefighters putting out hot spots. In Bonsall, less smoke from hot spots, rising straight up. Firefighters pacing, getting rest, hydration, nutrition part of being able to be safe. They train together, learned from 03 07 experience



Del Mar Animal Shelter:
Officials are asking for air mattresses, blankets, They do not need cat or dog food. Not cats or dogs there. They need water hose, though.
Volunteers needed this evening and tonight, four hour shifts, no exp. needed.
800 horses there, and a lost little black pig, owner not known.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/37018851/lilac-fire-sparks-near-i-15-sr-76-connector-evacuations-in-place
Upscale senior mobile home park Unit 85s destroyed? May include a good portion of the 65 structures reported lost overall by the FD. Embers landed in the park yesterday.
You can see from the structures saved how the fought the fire around it.
Plane dropping water on hotspots over the hills seen from there.

 

[FindHG]

:heartbeat: IQ :heartbeat:​

Brush fire sparks off I-8 in Descanso
2:31 PM EST


Adding, from recent reports: Firefighters addressing hot spots
smoke
a number of airdrops
follow through
at the senior mobile home park, estimated 30 or more of the overall 85 structures, perhaps. firefighters still tamping down hot spots.


http://www.cbs8.com/story/37018851/lilac-fire-sparks-near-i-15-sr-76-connector-evacuations-in-place

Community coming together to care for evacuated animals from Lilac Fire
Video Report By Kelly Hessedal, Reporter

 

[IQuestion]

Dear IQuestion,

I am so very sorry for the loss of your home.

This is just awful.

IQuestion what are you going to do? Do you have a place to sleep, get food, all the basic things you need to survive?

Please check in when you can. I can speak for everyone when I say we are worried about you and your family.

Thank you,
Tricia

Thank you TRICIA I want to respond to each and everyone of you, but am so sleep deprived right now....can only scroll and thank each post. While I originally wrote about losing not only my home, but also my next door neighbor.....it has turned out MANY more of my neighbors also lost their homes. In fact....I think there are only a handful left. No one is allowed to drive into the area yet. But my INCREDIBLE HUSBAND hiked up the hills and took photos with his phone!! (How can a person not love this magnificent guy? Although things are still smouldering....and probably not the safest thing to do.) He wanted me to be able to forward the photos to the insurance company so we could begin the claims process asap. A nice lady ( a living angel) gave us 2 new pillows and blankets.....saying she thought we should have something of our very own.
The photos helped the insurance adjusters understand the severity of our loss... a picture truly is worth a thousand words. We were immediately moved into the "major loss" category. I was also able to apply for a huge reduction in our property taxes under our state's disaster relief program, until our property is rebuilt....again, those pictures helped. (Please share this with anyone you know who has also suffered a loss.:heart
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/disaster.htm
Housing is in short supply since huge apartment buildings were total losses. So, even though the news reports 140 structures gone: ONE APARTMENT "STRUCTURE" can house 150 residents!
http://www.presstelegram.com/2017/1...tenants-homeowners-return-to-see-destruction/
And now water safety issues
http://www.keyt.com/news/safety/boil-water-advisory-issued-for-parts-of-ventura-county/668148686
Oh and did I mention the air quality is pretty dang poor right now, too?
Please let me reiterate....Mr. Wonderful and I are going to be just fine!! I am more worried about the displaced people who can not find housing, do not have insurance, are low on financial resources or who have been injured. "I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes, until I saw a man with no feet."?? Our situation is not ideal.... but we can not change what has happened. Ironically, I am optimistic today because I know what I have to do.. It was the "not knowing" that caused me so much stress. On reflection, I don't think there was a "failure in the system"....it was Mother Nature (powerful and unpredictable gal) reminding us that any system can be overwhelmed when thousands are in harms way. Love to you all.....taking all your squishy and loving hugs with me. Buh-bye for now. IQ

 

[Lilibet]

Love and more warm squishy hugs to both you and Mr. Wonderful!! Great job getting things done, cultivating a positive attitude and having compassion for those less able and less fortunate. I know that pretty soon you’ll be having fun sketching plans for your new house, checking out new furniture, planting new citrus and avocado trees and turning lemons into lemonade. Take care of yourselves and have a good cry whenever you feel like it. Lots of shoulders here. :heartbeat:

 

[FindHG]

Thank you TRICIA I want to respond to each and everyone of you, but am so sleep deprived right now....can only scroll and thank each post. While I originally wrote about losing not only my home, but also my next door neighbor.....it has turned out MANY more of my neighbors also lost their homes. In fact....I think there are only a handful left. No one is allowed to drive into the area yet. But my INCREDIBLE HUSBAND hiked up the hills and took photos with his phone!! (How can a person not love this magnificent guy? Although things are still smouldering....and probably not the safest thing to do.) He wanted me to be able to forward the photos to the insurance company so we could begin the claims process asap. A nice lady ( a living angel) gave us 2 new pillows and blankets.....saying she thought we should have something of our very own.
The photos helped the insurance adjusters understand the severity of our loss... a picture truly is worth a thousand words. We were immediately moved into the "major loss" category. I was also able to apply for a huge reduction in our property taxes under our state's disaster relief program, until our property is rebuilt....again, those pictures helped. (Please share this with anyone you know who has also suffered a loss.:heart
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/disaster.htm
Housing is in short supply since huge apartment buildings were total losses. So, even though the news reports 140 structures gone: ONE APARTMENT "STRUCTURE" can house 150 residents!
http://www.presstelegram.com/2017/1...tenants-homeowners-return-to-see-destruction/
And now water safety issues
http://www.keyt.com/news/safety/boil-water-advisory-issued-for-parts-of-ventura-county/668148686
Oh and did I mention the air quality is pretty dang poor right now, too?
Please let me reiterate....Mr. Wonderful and I are going to be just fine!! I am more worried about the displaced people who can not find housing, do not have insurance, are low on financial resources or who have been injured. "I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes, until I saw a man with no feet."?? Our situation is not ideal.... but we can not change what has happened. Ironically, I am optimistic today because I know what I have to do.. It was the "not knowing" that caused me so much stress. On reflection, I don't think there was a "failure in the system"....it was Mother Nature (powerful and unpredictable gal) reminding us that any system can be overwhelmed when thousands are in harms way. Love to you all.....taking all your squishy and loving hugs with me. Buh-bye for now. IQ

Thank you, IQ!!!! For taking the time to thank Tricia and all. Great information and update. I couldn't manage it normally, then in your situation, much less. Thank you

I'm sorry so many of your neighbors also lost their homes. The images alone overwhelm at times in grasping what's happening and the people touched by the fires. I bet you most of the homes and structures destroyed by the end of today would be in aerial footage available now, but it would be tough to organize. Bully for Mr. Wonderful! Please both stay safe and healthy, take care.
:heartbeat:

 

[FindHG]

How to Help Wildfire Victims in Southern California
by Kristina Bravo KTLA
Dec 8th 17 6:47 pm pst

Southern California Fires: Crews Near Ventura Have ‘Very Successful Day’
CNN WIRE via FOX40 tonight


http://readyventuracounty.org
http://readyventuracounty.org/images/ThomasEvac_26.png

via Map Room here: http://www.keyt.com/news/wildfire/thomas-fire-map-room/669530854

Community meeting in Ventura set for those affected by the Thomas Fire
VC Star / USAToday
7:30 p.m. PT Dec. 8, 2017


http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2017/12/08/free-masks-for-smoke-in-ojai/
Residents hand out free masks


VCFD PIO ‏Verified account
@VCFD_PIO
#ThomasFire UPDATE: Total number of people evacuated from the incident :: 87,043

Crews use backfires to help fight Thomas Fire
By Fabiola Ramirez, KSBY

https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/local-strike-team-assisting-southern-california-fires-67008/

Numerous homes and vehicles destroyed in rural enclave north of Ojai; heavy burning reported along Highway 33 near Rose Valley Friday
By Tom Bolton, Noozhawk, Executive Editor
3:17 pm Dec 8 17

County agency seeking short-term housing for victims of fire
Acorn, Staff Report
Dec 8 17


http://abc7.com/aerial-footage-shows-destruction-from-thomas-fire/2757981/

http://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/0...s-add-up-to-disaster-on-a-jaw-dropping-scale/

http://www.kgw.com/news/portland-crews-battling-california-wildfires/498147992

http://www.dailynews.com/2017/12/08...s-add-up-to-disaster-on-a-jaw-dropping-scale/

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news...unprecedented-and-sign-things-come/935639001/
view from international space station

Thomas fire extends flaming fingers toward Santa Barbara County line
Mike Hodgson, Santa Ynez Valley News
Dec 8, 2017 Updated 10 min ago

 

[margarita25]

Thank you TRICIA I want to respond to each and everyone of you, but am so sleep deprived right now....can only scroll and thank each post. While I originally wrote about losing not only my home, but also my next door neighbor.....it has turned out MANY more of my neighbors also lost their homes. In fact....I think there are only a handful left. No one is allowed to drive into the area yet. But my INCREDIBLE HUSBAND hiked up the hills and took photos with his phone!! (How can a person not love this magnificent guy? Although things are still smouldering....and probably not the safest thing to do.) He wanted me to be able to forward the photos to the insurance company so we could begin the claims process asap. A nice lady ( a living angel) gave us 2 new pillows and blankets.....saying she thought we should have something of our very own.
The photos helped the insurance adjusters understand the severity of our loss... a picture truly is worth a thousand words. We were immediately moved into the "major loss" category. I was also able to apply for a huge reduction in our property taxes under our state's disaster relief program, until our property is rebuilt....again, those pictures helped. (Please share this with anyone you know who has also suffered a loss.:heart
https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/disaster.htm
Housing is in short supply since huge apartment buildings were total losses. So, even though the news reports 140 structures gone: ONE APARTMENT "STRUCTURE" can house 150 residents!
http://www.presstelegram.com/2017/1...tenants-homeowners-return-to-see-destruction/
And now water safety issues
http://www.keyt.com/news/safety/boil-water-advisory-issued-for-parts-of-ventura-county/668148686
Oh and did I mention the air quality is pretty dang poor right now, too?
Please let me reiterate....Mr. Wonderful and I are going to be just fine!! I am more worried about the displaced people who can not find housing, do not have insurance, are low on financial resources or who have been injured. "I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes, until I saw a man with no feet."?? Our situation is not ideal.... but we can not change what has happened. Ironically, I am optimistic today because I know what I have to do.. It was the "not knowing" that caused me so much stress. On reflection, I don't think there was a "failure in the system"....it was Mother Nature (powerful and unpredictable gal) reminding us that any system can be overwhelmed when thousands are in harms way. Love to you all.....taking all your squishy and loving hugs with me. Buh-bye for now. IQ

:grouphug:

 

[margarita25]

PC going on various officials (gist of it, not precise)
Prayers and help for senior displaced by fire
More than 800 to 1000 firefighters
Past experience in knocking fires down good, but devil winds unpredictable
BE VIGILANT and PREPARED
New fire 20 min
Near Alpine 15 acres, Cleveland National Forest, throwing effort to tamp it down quickly (8 acres controlling)
Declaration of Emergency thanked
Shelter 5, 900 sheltering, stage coach and HillsB HS full,
Still room at Palermer, San Marcos, Bostonia and one other open?
211 needs volunteers now, Red Cross (not right now but may later...),
about 270 people have called 211 to volunteer who are appreciated
4100 acres Lilac
15 helos on it this morning
Two helos did night flying last night
150 LE primarily road closures and security against looting
Alert San Diego, please sign up, for update notifications
Follow notifications and warnings: plan, pack, get out, don't wait for Mandatory Evacuation
GET YOURSELF OUT OF HARMS WAY
Returns delayed due to embers, hot spots, down power line, working on it
Public Safety number one
Recovery
www.sdcountyrecovery.com
Donate:
San Diego Foundation
50155 SD Recovery


Flight protocols changing from before
More Resources $460 million, but the dry conditions devil winds
Nothing different about these fire, less humid, lotsa brush, Santa Ana winds, only 3 locations in the world this combo happens
Goal to put them out when small but not always possible

85 structures, quite a few mobile homes (senior homes)
surveying now
much depends on the wind re more evacuation notices

900 hundred in shelters, usually 10 percent of actual evacuation pop, so maybe near 10,000 displaced

211 system explained and other organization and partners who do out reach to vulnerable pops

Today, more helos than before, better comm and response dealing with bigger volume, more response

Investigation of fire: Will take time to determine cause, finding all info first, puzzle pieces, will continue to work the scene.

Very concerned about pro-actively shutting down energy STG&E, which makes water from wells hard to get to in rural areas
~


View attachment 127515 Fire Putting out hot spots west of 76
Winds are expected until 3 pm
Bonsall residents recouping, checking on neighbors

At Del Mar Fairgrounds, now 12:47
http://www.cbs8.com/story/37018851/lilac-fire-sparks-near-i-15-sr-76-connector-evacuations-in-place


(thanks for all the info Magz :loveyou

IQ :heartbeat:​

I hope all your families and friends who are there have stayed safe and without loss.

View attachment 127525

North County Public Info Officer: John
Don't come back until residents get all clear.
Compliments crews since yesterday. Firefighters putting out hot spots. In Bonsall, less smoke from hot spots, rising straight up. Firefighters pacing, getting rest, hydration, nutrition part of being able to be safe. They train together, learned from 03 07 experience

View attachment 127523

Del Mar Animal Shelter:
Officials are asking for air mattresses, blankets, They do not need cat or dog food. Not cats or dogs there. They need water hose, though.
Volunteers needed this evening and tonight, four hour shifts, no exp. needed.
800 horses there, and a lost little black pig, owner not known.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/37018851/lilac-fire-sparks-near-i-15-sr-76-connector-evacuations-in-place
Upscale senior mobile home park Unit 85s destroyed? May include a good portion of the 65 structures reported lost overall by the FD. Embers landed in the park yesterday.
You can see from the structures saved how the fought the fire around it.
Plane dropping water on hotspots over the hills seen from there.

:heartbeat: IQ :heartbeat:​

Brush fire sparks off I-8 in Descanso
2:31 PM EST


Adding, from recent reports: Firefighters addressing hot spots
View attachment 127531smoke
View attachment 127532a number of airdrops
View attachment 127533 follow through
View attachment 127534View attachment 127535 at the senior mobile home park, estimated 30 or more of the overall 85 structures, perhaps. firefighters still tamping down hot spots.


http://www.cbs8.com/story/37018851/lilac-fire-sparks-near-i-15-sr-76-connector-evacuations-in-place

Community coming together to care for evacuated animals from Lilac Fire
Video Report By Kelly Hessedal, Reporter

How to Help Wildfire Victims in Southern California
by Kristina Bravo KTLA
Dec 8th 17 6:47 pm pst

Southern California Fires: Crews Near Ventura Have ‘Very Successful Day’
CNN WIRE via FOX40 tonight


http://readyventuracounty.org
http://readyventuracounty.org/images/ThomasEvac_26.png

via Map Room here: http://www.keyt.com/news/wildfire/thomas-fire-map-room/669530854

Community meeting in Ventura set for those affected by the Thomas Fire
VC Star / USAToday
7:30 p.m. PT Dec. 8, 2017


http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2017/12/08/free-masks-for-smoke-in-ojai/
Residents hand out free masks


VCFD PIO ‏Verified account
@VCFD_PIO
#ThomasFire UPDATE: Total number of people evacuated from the incident :: 87,043

Crews use backfires to help fight Thomas Fire
By Fabiola Ramirez, KSBY

https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/local-strike-team-assisting-southern-california-fires-67008/

Numerous homes and vehicles destroyed in rural enclave north of Ojai; heavy burning reported along Highway 33 near Rose Valley Friday
By Tom Bolton, Noozhawk, Executive Editor
3:17 pm Dec 8 17

County agency seeking short-term housing for victims of fire
Acorn, Staff Report
Dec 8 17


http://abc7.com/aerial-footage-shows-destruction-from-thomas-fire/2757981/

http://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/0...s-add-up-to-disaster-on-a-jaw-dropping-scale/

http://www.kgw.com/news/portland-crews-battling-california-wildfires/498147992

http://www.dailynews.com/2017/12/08...s-add-up-to-disaster-on-a-jaw-dropping-scale/

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news...unprecedented-and-sign-things-come/935639001/
view from international space station

Thomas fire extends flaming fingers toward Santa Barbara County line
Mike Hodgson, Santa Ynez Valley News
Dec 8, 2017 Updated 10 min ago

Thank you FindHG for all the great updates, etc!

:yourock

(Eta gah I've exceeded the image limit with the multiquotes, etc, wanted to bring out the guitar dude above)

*****

Just a geeky observation, the number in one of your quotes above FHG is similar to the Alberta fire, iirc, in the eighty thousands?:


VCFD PIO ‏Verified account
@VCFD_PIO
#ThomasFire UPDATE: Total number of people evacuated from the incident :: 87,043


****

ETA:

"Alberta Emergency Management Agency estimated that 80,000 people had fled Fort McMurray; the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo said the figure could be closer to 90,000. Of those forced to evacuate, approximately 10,000 are north of the city, where they have been directed to shelter at work camps."
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/new...s-this-is-a-nasty-dirty-fire/article29862009/

 

[margarita25]

Has Katy checked in? Iirc from Maddy's case, she's somewhere near Santa Cruz?

Eta: not seeing any fires in her area thank goodness, knock on wood.

(Eta: o/t, except for their old buses burning up, public transportation it seems:

"Two Metro Santa Cruz buses suffered significant engine difficulties last month, highlighting the need to replace 62 of the aging vehicles. (Dan Coyro -- Santa Cruz Sentinel
SANTA CRUZ >> Two passenger buses billowed smoke in two weeks — a signal that Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District’s fleet is in dire need of an update, said Alex Clifford, CEO/general manager." ) Lol

 

[margarita25]

"As the fire raged, Spooky the barred owl, Sasquatch the red-tailed hawk, Handsome the turkey vulture and about 20 other "education" animals were placed in small crates to await the evacuation order, Stroud said. The "education" and "ambassador" birds are unable to fly because of injuries. They're used instead for educational purposes such as school visits."

Snip


"After evacuating from Ojai this week, the 24 eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and other birds in crates found a temporary home in the dining room and garage of a volunteer near the beach in Ventura County. Stroud said her sister, two Great Danes and three cats also took up residence there.

Stroud said her phone has been ringing nonstop with "thoughts and prayers" and donations for the animals."

www.cnn.com/2017/12/08/us/california-wildfires/index.html

 

[katydid23]

Has Katy checked in? Iirc from Maddy's case, she's somewhere near Santa Cruz?

We are OK still.

We lived in Ventura County for the past 17 years so we have a lot of friends and family who have sustained losses and some are still concerned up in Ojai area.

But we live in Woodland Hills now, so we are getting smoke from Sylmar area but no fires threatening us here.

We live very close to Pierce College, which is housing large animals. I was thrilled to hear they were filled up. So many animals were rescued and safely stashed there.