Lockheed fire, Central California

[deborahjross]

The fire is still over the hill and several miles from our house. As of about 5 pm, we're outside the evacuation zone. I'm currently in Santa Cruz, where brown smoke is billowing across the sky. It's hot and dry, as usual for August, but the wind has died down and mist is expected overnight/tomorrow morning.

The latest news has the burn about 2800 acres, 0% contained.

Comments

[cynthia1960.livejournal.com]

I was wondering where the fire was when I was driving to work a little before 1 PM.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Just north and west of Santa Cruz. People think of this as Northern California, but it's Central Coast. Down toward the bottom of the map in your icon.

Most of the Bonny Doon Massif lies between us and the fires, so there's almost no visible smoke, whereas yesterday I could see billows of brown smoke from Santa Cruz (no mountains in the way, clear view up the coast).

[cynthia1960.livejournal.com]

Keep safe!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Thank you! We're watchful but not too worried at this point.

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that... will think rainy thoughts for you.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

What a lovely gift! Rain would be very nice.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

What a lovely gift! Alas, the sky is clear and a gorgeous blue. We would have much preferred dismal overcast.

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Be safe!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Thank you. We're keeping up with the Cal Forestry Fire reports. So far, no urgent worries.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Stay safe.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

We are doing our best! It's an old joke that California does indeed have seasons: earthquakes, mudslides, drought, and fires. One of the problems is that people, for quite understandable reasons, don't like little fires in their neighborhoods, so we get big fires from all that fuel. Fire is part of the natural ecology in this area. Add to that, the profusion of non-native plants like Scotch broom, highly aggressive, highly flammable, highly competitive with native, fire-resistant vegetation. Not good.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I worry so much about my California friends at this time every year. So far, no-one I know has been affected, but I feel for all those who have been in the fire's path.

[tcastleb.livejournal.com]

Oh geez. Looks like I left at a good time. Take care! (And thanks for finding my table a new home. :>) )

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

What, there are no fires in Arizona? Or maybe there's not enough vegetation to burn? Just joking.

And that YOU for your generosity re: the table. Now there are 3 happy people.

[sardonicus.livejournal.com]

Hopefully the coastal layer will come in and help to smother any breakouts. Stay safe!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

As of 7 am today, 4100 acres were involved, 5% contained.

[sardonicus.livejournal.com]

It sounds like it's mainly wind-driven at this point, so if they slow down maybe the local FD crews can get in on foot.

Water drops seems to be the main tool at this point, but nothing beats the guys on the ground. They are the ones that find the hot spots and brush fires.

Hope to see you again one of these days.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

They're reporting on this, this morning. I hope you're still safe. It sounds very scary.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Yes, fires are scary. We know people in the evacuation zone. I'll take earthquakes any day -- you can't see them coming, they're over in seconds to minutes, and usually you don't have to run for your lives.

I've been thinking what we would grab if we had to evacuate and realizing that we're prepared for earthquakes and power outages, not grab-and-run emergencies. This is a wake-up call.