In case any of you are wondering ( I flatter myself), as of 12:13 pm, we're still ok and haven't been evacuated. If you know me at all, you know I'm practically hysterical and have done the only things I can do in times like these: packed up some bags, folded my rugs and cooked a Persian lunch in case it's the last meal we have in our home. I realize this sounds crazy, but today I don't think I care.
The reporters are covering every lick of this fire, and I'm not sure if it's good to be this informed or nerve wrecking. What started as two fires in the Harris area and in Witch Creek, have expanded to seven named fires in less than 24 hours. One reporter said, "The Witch Fire now has two heads..." They keep saying how this fire is much, much worse--worse than anything they have seen. They cannot even start combating the fires because of the weather conditions--it is 0% contained and spreading so quickly that the best they can do is evacuate neighborhoods and hope there aren't fatalities. Yippeee.
During the 2003 fires that came all the way to the I-15, I sat cross legged in our apartment and wrote the first draft of what would become my thesis. Today, I'm willing myself to sit still and write, because it is the only think that will stop me from losing my mind completely. When my brother called, I was close to tears and couldn't believe his calm (thank God for him and M). But then again, he isn't inhaling ashes and smoke, wondering if his happy little home will go up in smoke.
Strangely, all of this kind of reminds me of when we had returned to Iran during the bombings of Tehran. I can only imagine the anxiety my parents lived through as they tried to act normal and live life, never sure of when all they had worked for would be destroyed. I remember my mom calmly cooking with the emergency sirens screaming and the military's defenses rat-tat-tatting in the background; all of us huddled in the glassless hallway. She acted calm, but in hindsight, I know she was clinging onto the only ritual that would bring calm to all of us.
I guess no matter how hard I try, I'm still her daughter--just less calm (if that's even possible).
UPDATE: We have been evacuated and are staying with a friend. I have no idea what will happen, but we are safe.
8 comments:
Actually, I was concerned. I work right next to the Irvine fire, and people are quietly leaving one by one as more information comes in.
I hope that you and your loved ones are still safe and that when you read this, your house will be out of the fire's path.
Wow. The mere fact you you get yourself to write this (and other stuff) shows just how strong you are.
Instead of merely wishing you well, I am simply going to believe that you and your loved ones will make it out safe and sound. No way is fate going to let my only reader get hurt. I won't allow it.
Fingers are crossed for you my dear (which is making typing rather hard). Your most recent blog posts have been of the "scaring Alex" variety, I hope things get easier and less frightening for you soon.
Thinking of you and hoping for the best.
Downtown San Diego is a ghost-town
Fellow Pajiba-ite here-I hope you and your family are safe, I'll be thinking of you and everyone on the West Coast affected by the fires.
also a pajiban in palmdale. you're in my thoughts, as so many friends are right now. hang in there!
We used to live in CA, and know how awful fire season can be.
I hope the best for you and your family.
Thank you everyone for the kind words and positive thoughts. We just got back home, and while the danger is far from over in SD County, I think our area is safe for now.
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