First we build the houses.

Beautiful poem!

We were watching the reports on last night's news and were just awed by the huge firefighting supertanker planes now in use (DC-10 and I believe a 747).

The air firefighters (planes and helicopters) are rarely thought of as being in danger, but the high winds and up/down drafts as well as the smoke make for extremely dangerous conditions to be flying in. My hat is off to them and the brave crews on the ground.

We were watching the reports last night on the news, and it looks as though everyone is doing a great job of handling the situation, including all of those who have had to evacuate and/or have lost their homes.

I was especially annoyed with a lady reporter who was interviewing the governor and kept asking why there weren't more airplanes fighting the fires AFTER he had explained (more than once) that the winds were too great for safe take-offs or for flying. She was certainly looking for something negative to say. What a bozo! It is very easy for an airctaft to get sucked down into the fire in those conditions. There is nothing worth risking human life for, other than another human life.

Devon, I admire your positive thinking. You have chosen to look towards the future, rather than stay devastated over what can't be changed.

Sandy

Sandy---I second what you just said------Ca. folks should be so proud of thw way they are handling this situation!!!!

Devon as always you have beautiful positive thoughts and I agree this is a great country----

Thanks for an upbeat post.

Florence

So why do people in California keep building their houses in areas where it's well known that there are frequent wildfires? Especially in those valleys where they build up steam? And why don't the wealthy ones have that foam machine at their house to cover their house should the fire come close? And why don't folks have metal roofs & flame retardant siding? And why don't they clear the dry timber away from their houses?
It's like here in Oregon where they build houses on the side of hills when they know we have ALOT of rain & frequent mudslides. It's like asking for trouble & then complaining when it comes along -- as they well know it will.

I fell sorry for all of then!

Devon, your poem shows a healthy perspective of optimism and gratitude. Thank you for sharing it. Southern Californians have shown themselves to be strong, generous and resourceful. Hopefully, the same mistakes won't be repeated when rebuilding especially in these areas. I don't know how they find homeowners insurance though - or how they afford it.
We're still praying - especially now that evacuees are going "home". It can be difficult to get motivated in the face of such loss even while grateful for still having the ones you love with you.
Sherry

I was asleep when the reverse 911 call came in.
I knew we had Santa Ana conditions and a fire was way, way up in the mountains. Never imagined it would come to this ... Nearly 1 million Californians displaced.
I woke up the kids and called my husband who was working late to come and get us! We left at 2 a.m Monday and saw the flames advancing over the ridge.

After 5 days with just the clothes on our backs and the 5 of us living pretty much out of our van 100 miles north, we're back in Escondido today and thankful our home was spared.
Many of our neighbors were not so fortunate and it's difficult to see all the charred foundations where houses once stood.
I drove up the mountain to check on some of our kids' schoolmates and after much confusion mixed with some denial, I realized I couldn't find or see their homes because . . . well, the homes were not there anymore! The schools are getting lists together of kids whose homes burned to the ground. It is so sad.

The firefighters who saved our neighborhood commented that we were extremely fortunate since there were walls of flames almost 360 degrees around us. Our kittens are safe but scared and weak. I gave them baths, cleaned out their eyes, ears and noses which were filled with soot.
We have lots of ash and some came into the house through the door jams. We will be cleaning all weekend and for weeks to come.
I lost some of my rare roses (from the wind, 99 degree heat and not being there to water them) Fatalities were Burgundy Iceberg, Julia's Rose, Spellcaster, Ruby Pendant and others.

But I have NOTHING to complain about ... we got out and our kids have a home to come back to .... just a whole lot of cleaning up to do.
Very Thankful,
Denise

Oh, by the way, Peg in Oregon ... I'm a little offended that you think we asked for it. This was extreme. Don't judge us until you've walked a mile in our shoes across charred Earth.
Californians get a lot of criticism. Yes, we live where there are fires and earthquakes. We deal with it the best we can, we clear away the brush, we do the best we can.

Yes, there were a lot of wealthy people who lost their homes, but most worked hard all their lives to get to where they were.
They have a lot less now, because many were underinsured, not insured or their homes will cost too much to rebuild. What do you do with a quarter acre of charred dirt and rubble which is worth 200,000 in itself.
You can't sell it, you have to rebuild. The home is gone ... all they have is the land. Land is scarce and no place is safe from fires. Many homes in Rancho Bernardo were not in a known danger zone. Firestorms are sadly a part of nature and they will happen every time conditions are like they were last weekend.
Earth Abides