Burnin' Down the Road

If the land and fires in this image were differentiated a bit more clearly, you would be able to spot seven (eventually eight) separate wildfires burning across San Diego County today. Dry conditions, low humidity, high winds: a perfect firestorm.

The fires, in fact, stretch up the California coast through LA to Malibu, and this is the worst fire -- or collection of fires -- in San Diego history.

That the flames are to the north, east, and south of my position (roughly below the words "San Diego" on the map) suggests that the only possible escape from fire may be the ocean.

As it happens, I am fortunately situated very near the Qualcomm Stadium, which is being used as an Evacuation Center. More than 5,000 people are camping at the stadium tonight, many of them with no home to return to at the fires' end.

And the fires will not end any time soon. First, firefighters have had to devote far too much time to stubborn homeowners who refuse to leave. Second, they've had to spread their resources over too much ground. Third, they're daunted by Santa Ana winds which, at speeds often above 50 miles-per-hour, have fueled the fires and prevented aircraft from entering the area with water and deterrent dumps. Firefighters and the city have had to work to keep ahead of the fires to save people rather than work to keep on top of the fires to save property. With more than a quarter-million residents evacuated and only one death, I'd say they've done very well.

However, that doesn't mean it hasn't been (and doesn't continue to be) scary here. Many, many homes and communities no longer exist. Former evacuation centers have been evacuated. Homes which haven't burned have been looted. Insurance scams have already begun. And all through the day you've been told: don't use your cell phone because the Emergency Personnel need to communicate; don't leave your home because evacuees need the roads; sit tight until we call you -- and be ready when we do. And BY GOD, leave when we tell you to leave because we can't afford to divert firefighting efforts to rescue attempts!

My car was packed and ready by mid-afternoon. ID and insurance cards. Water, canned goods, flash light, handheld television. Laptop, iPod, cell phone, chargers. Actor bag, props, guitars, and a change of clothes.

In the last 36 hours the fires have spread like... well... wildfire. The evacuees have one advantage: they have 5,000 neighbors to wake them up if another evacuation becomes necessary in the middle of the night. Not knowing what progression of fire you might be sleeping through is by far the scariest prospect of the day.


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MORNING UPDATE: The fires have not yet encroached on Mission Valley and the nearby Qualcomm Stadium is still an evacuation center. However, there are now 12 fires being reported and more than a half-million evacuees. Everything north of Highway 56, Ted Williams Parkway, Poway is under a mandatory evacuation order. All schools are closed for the week. The good news: air relief is able to fly today.