Lilo, you have my best and most positive thoughts that the fires won't get as far as you. Hopefully they will contain it before that happens but you're wise to be prepared.

I know that area quite well and that wilderness area is so volatile.

You're in my thoughts and my heart.

Lilo, I thought of you and Joanne yesterday when I saw a map of the fires. Stay safe and know that many are thinking of you.

I too have been thinking of you over the last couple of days. I just returned from several days of taking care of a relative and had no computer and wanted to check if somebody heared from you upon my return. I keep my fingers crossed that all will be well. Good thoughts and a lot of sunflowers for you and yours.
Now I have to get out in the garden and see what went wrong, has to be some damage, since my handicapped husband sure could not water or do anything.
Lilo, please keep us up-to-date if you can.

Crossing all the fingers and toes that I have. This is soooo scary. Even if there seems to be no danger, just breathing all that smoke can't be good.

Take care and please don't wait too long if it starts looking worse.

lilo,

Sunflowers and prayers are coming your way.

Just a word of experienced advice having been through some horrific natural disasters, 'things' can be replaced, YOU can not.

Don't wait until the last minute.
If there is any question, please, please leave immediately.

Keep us updated as you can.

May you, your family, and all the critters in your care be safe. I am thinking of you.

I was wondering how you were going to get both the goats and Ralph out of there if it came to that. Keep checking in please! If you need to phone someone to give updates I think you have my number, right?

lilod,my prayers and thoughts are with you also and your family and pets. you're name is on my bulliten board to remind me. Keep Safe.
vickie

Thanks to all your good vibes! It has not gotten worse, though it looked really bad for a while.
As far as getting critters out, I think the cats, 4 of mine and 6 of Joann's would be the most difficult.
Goats are not much of a problem, they are herd animals, if you control one, the others will follow.
The wind shifted, and the skies cleared, this is not over, but my area appears to be spared for now.
It was great to be able to breathe clean air for a change.
Of course, there are so many counties affected, though Mendocino County is the largest in area, with the smallest population.
This was an amazing situation and the state and the local fire-fighters, plus help from other states did a heroic job, it's not over yet.
The State's CalFire website reports:
104,321 acres burned
229 fires contained
11,964 personnel committed
941 fire engines
271 hand crews
291 dozers
360 water tenders
42 helicopters
6 air tankers
destroyed 17 residences, 1 commercial facility, 19 out-buildings
The firefighters deserve all my prayers and thanks, they have been on the line since Saturday and just keep going.
All that is good news, the bad news is that the weather bureau advises dry thunderstorms next Saturday though Monday.
I think I can sleep pretty easy tonight, tomorrow is another day.
I am certain your prayers, good thoughts and sunflowers had an effect and helped to turn things around.
Keep sending them and thanks again from me and Joann

Lilo, I'm glad you are getting some respite and hope that you continue to do so. I know you have many critters to take care of, but the most important element is taking care of YOURSELF. I'll be thinking of you and sending some good vibes with the sunflowers.

Take care Lilo, sending prayers, lighting candles, holding thoughts....

The nice afternoon air yesterday was a pleasure, but now it's back to smoke again, the sun is just coming up over the hill, a glaring red disk.
There is supposed to be a get-together with youngest daughter Linda and her two sons, plus GGD Kailey and GS' GF Kim, whom I have not met.
I have been trying to convince them to call it off, so but they are stubborn.
I am sending her an email with the status report, she lives 100 miles south of here, so it's a long way to go for a day-trip.
There are three pounds of grass-fed ground beef in my fridge for grilling burgers, but I don't think I shall have a problem doing something with that beef should they decide on the wisest move and stay in Santa Rosa -
Anyway, whatever happens, I am sure it will turn out the best way for all concerned.
The link is from this morning's paper

Here is a link that might be useful: latest fire updates

That's scary. I hope everything improves for you.

Take care of yourself first, and then the 4-leggities.

More prayers, good thoughts and sunflowers coming your way in the hope that lots of rain will begin to come from those clouds. As everyone has said, please take care of yourself and don't delay leaving if the situation gets worse. Mother Nature sure has been doing a number on most of the U.S. so far this year! :>(

Lilo, please take care!

The smoke from brush fires is nothing to fool with either.

God bless and best wishes.

Lilo, you're smart to have everything ready to go, although I'm keeping everything crossed that you won't have to act on your evacuation plans. Stay safe!

Lilo, sweet lady, please take care.
My prayers are with you.

It hasn't improved, but it has not gotten worse, either.
Across the highway from the CalFire station a staging area has been set up for equipment, dozers and water-trucks owned by contractors and logging companies, it's impressive.
An other coastal community has been evacuated.
The Air Quality District advises that the air is bad and one should best not breathe? LOL/cough cough
What's worrisome is the dry thunderstorms predicted for this weekend -
Why does Smokey, the bear, say : "Only YOU can prevent forest fires?" must be joking - not funny

Here is a link that might be useful: What we can look forward to

Wish I could be there to help.

lilo,

Thanks for keeping us updated.

Continuing to send prayers and sunflowers your way.

How depressing to look at your forecast of "patchy smoke!" Here's hoping that you won't get anymore lightning strikes.

I've been offline all this past week and fretting that I didn't know what was happening...surely want to add my good thoughts for you and your family's safety and of course the animals. Mother Nature sure is playing havoc with us this year. It's heartbreaking and scary. Keep us posted...you're on my mind. josh

An update:
It is not any worse in my area, though further south, aruond the County seat, there is a new mandatory evacuation in effect.
The smoke is very bad around here, but, as we discovered, it is much worse elsewhere. We are fortunate to be the highest valley (in elevation, that is) in the Hwy 101 corridor, and the extra 1000 feet or so make a difference.
Still, we are all coughing a lot and shall be for a while.
The probability of thunderstorms and dry lightning has diminished a little, we are thankful for that.
2 miles from my place the Kate Wold Memorial Festival is taking place, about 2000 attendees and a great line-up of performers - must not be easy for them.
I usually sit on the deck in the evening and get my free concert, but I'm not sure I will this time.
My sister and her partner arrived yesterday afternoon, will spend the day and night here and move on tomorrow. We are staying indoors, did a quick garden-tour and back into the house.

I'v been off line for a week so I am at work and can respond to this thread.
Thank you for the sunflowers, prayers and good wishes they worked. It is better here today. I can smell water thru the smoke. The comming thunderstorms are going to be more east of us and may have some rain in them. Pray for rain. Thank you all again.
Joann

MODIS Active Fire Mapping Program

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS

California Fire Information:

Stay safe.

Lilo, thinking about you and praying that it doesn't come
your way. Take care.

How is everything tonight?

Andie, It's not too bad tonight, I can actually see sky and yellow sun - the smoke is not nearly as heavy.
We are experiencing a great relief because the Fire Fighter's staging area is right here in our town, about 2 miles from my property.
On the large field across the highway there is a tent-city, porta-potties, trailers from food-providers. I am sure they would not set up this big a facility if there was danger.
Three miles or so north of here there is the Kate Wolf Memorial Concert, about 2,000 or so attending.
All that makes us fell pretty secure.
I am coughing and sneezing and my eyes water, I think the days of smoke are really hitting home now.
My animals all are a bit under the weather, smoke gets to them, also.
My Taffy and Joann's RocCat - both very independent - have not checked in today, usually nothing noteworthy, but because of the fires, there are more coyotes heard and I'm sure there are many hungry and upset beasts around, driven here by the fires, so that's a concern, even though those boys are pretty wise and careful.
Taffy just may not have noticed yet that the house guests have gone; he tends to be invisible if there are strange cars around.
All in all, right now it is all much more positive, and the T-storms have not materialized.
Maybe the worst is over and pretty soon we can breathe again (with relief, that is)

So glad to read this little bit of encouraging news...except for the 2 missing cats. I know how you must feel better about the Firefighters staging area set up nearby. Saw a tv program once...hadn't ever really focused on the fact that for every firefighter probably takes at least 3 to 4 people to back them up with food, medical, communications, and a safe (though smoky) resting area to take a break before going back on the line.

Sure hope the worst is over...and the cats show up this morning. josh