San Diego Firestorm Wreaks Havoc

San Diego County needs all the prayers and help it can get right now, as it deals with a crisis of epic proportion. With 8 fires still actively burning, and most not near containment, today will be another hot and difficult day for firefighters, homeowners and residents of the County.

On a personal note, our nightmare first started with a phone call just after 11:00 yesterday from my daughter, who told me that her school was on fire and the entire student body was being evacuated. I got there as quickly as I could – people were driving like lunatics and I almost got hit multiple times. The school was covered in a thick layer of black smoke and flames were surrounding it (it did not burn down).

I finally found my daughter in the sea of cars and panicked parents, and we headed home. Our neighborhood was engulfed in black smoke and all the neighbors were frantically packing cars. The police were blocking roads and would not let my son into the neighborhood to help me load the animals and few possessions my daughter and I could fit into the car (photo albums and important papers, little else). Three homes burned down just outside the back gates to our neighborhood – homes I drive by daily. Very sad.

San Diego is in crisis. Please stay off the roads unless you have to be on them. If you can, donate supplies to various local organizations. Drink tons of water and try to stay indoors – the air is poor but it’s probably worse outside. Stay cool. Don’t exercise outside – I saw several people running and was shocked. Comfort your pets – mine are freaked. Be prepared to evacuate…we never know what the day might bring. Be safe San Diego.