Ash Friday

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This is a picture my brother Chris found of our city. It looks so horrible, almost Biblical. It doesn’t seem this bad living in it. There is a great metaphor in this for life too right? You get used to the dimness when you’re in the middle of it.

 

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School has been canceled for tomorrow because of the ash and unhealthy air conditions. The fire is moving away from us into the more mountainous areas, so we are not in danger here. Friday we are planning to hunker down and watch movies, and maybe sneak in some extra cleanup jobs. Here are the latest stats on our fire:

Acres burned: 26,000 / Containment: 30%
Destroyed: 14 homes, 12 outbuildings
Damaged: 8 homes, 12 outbuildings
Injuries: 4 firefighters
Time of Start: 5:55 p.m. 10-21
Official cause: Arson
Point of Origin: Silverado Canyon and Santiago Canyon roads, then crossed Hwy. 241 to the west; moved toward Portola Springs, Northwood village of Irvine.
Firefighters: 1,000
Evacuations: 43,000 people
Location: Silverado Canyon and its 700 homes are “far from being out of the woods,” fire officials say; firefighters have had success keeping the fire away from Trabuco and Live Oak canyons, the most endangered communities. Modjeska Canyon appeared safe for now (5:45 p.m.)
Costs: at least $10 million in damages

4 Comments

  1. melly
    Oct 26, 2007

    Crazy. I think of our little sissy fire we had here in the valley, and how it blacked out the power for a while, and how you could see a little ash fall…..I can’t imagine how it is there….

  2. anne
    Oct 26, 2007

    thanks for the update, we are thinking(and worrying) about you up here!! It is amazing to watch it on TV, if you run into Anderson Cooper give him a big hug from us!!!!!

  3. Auntie Lauralee
    Oct 26, 2007

    Wow, it is so close to you! An unbelieveable sight.
    I sure hope they catch whoever did this terrible thing.

  4. Heather
    Oct 26, 2007

    You have been in our prayers every night, I was so shocked to hear how close it was to you guys. The pictures are incredible, it looks so crazy. Glad you are all ok though.