California Fires

Hope all are safe.

Thinking about family and friends in Cali.   I've been told that watching it on TV or a computer doesn't even come close to the scale of destruction.  Hoping and praying everybody and their animals are safe.  I did see @BOF posted on social media a few hours ago that he is safe.   Stay safe BOF, and everybody that is remotely close to this thing!

Prayers being sent!

We are OK where I am at, which is just north of LA. The devastation frankly is unthinkable, the Palisades area has some of the older historic and had amazing properties and they are all gone now. I drive down Hwy 1 to LAX often through Malibu and there are many homes on the beach that you would think would be safe and they are also gone. Very tragic and going to take a long time to re-build. 

We left Southern California in 1993. At the time we lived up a canyon road (Sutton Valley, Oak Park/Agoura Hills, Ventura County). We once watched a fire roar through the canyon and miraculously stop half way up our hill.

Because I traveled a lot for business I told my (now ex) wife if there’s a fire issue leave. It’s not just the fire. You’re not safe until you get to the end of the canyon where there are three road options instead if only one. You don’t want to get trapped in traffic on one road.

You can watch Channel 9 in LA on Pluto listed under CBS LA. Last night I saw people stuck in traffic jams because they waited until they felt they had no choice but to leave.

Tim and his wife moved to Santa Monica a few years ago. They and their 18-month-old daughter have an apartment just inside the evacuation zone, adjacent to Pacific Palisades. He posted scary images Tuesday afternoon before later escaping further upwind and inland. After a couple of nights in a hotel, a friend had an empty apartment they are able to stay in. They are some of the fortunate ones.

After I saw son's IG posts when the fires first broke out, I found KCAL on Pluto. I was riveted to it and X. Then it became just too overwhelming. Tim texted late last night about more evacuation orders, NBCLA  4 Youtube Live-Streaming, and tiny maps that were almost indecipherable to me; I barely know my way around LA. After eventually learning they were still safe, I was able to fall asleep.

I was out there a couple of years ago and drove through P.P. neighborhoods, loving all the unique and enviable homes. This devastation has really bothered me. I worry that there is a lot more to blame than Mother Nature.

P.S. - Tim also spoke about the Pacific Palisades HS Baseball team. He has talked with the manager who, a couple days ago said the field is untouched but hadn't been inside to see the condition of the equipment. Surely, they will need help with all kinds of gear. I can't fathom what life will be like for most everyone in the next week, much less getting a baseball season (and classes) underway.

My cousin who lives in Hollywood Hills was finally located by my other cousin in Michigan. She is ok, they were allowed to return home, last I heard.

TMM_Dad,

Good to hear that your son and his family are ok.

TPM

Channel 7 KABC has a 24 news app that doesn’t require a log in.