A fire update.

This has been quite week since the 5^th largest fire in California’s history began on December 4^th near Ojai. CA. It has burned 237,500 acres so far with 709 single family residences destroyed. There are almost 8,000 fire fighters on scene with 983 fire engines, 27 helicopters, 79 bulldozers, and numerous other apparatus. Two main fire camps have been established to support the fire fighters.

All schools have been closed until after the holidays. Very few people are out and about so you can imagine the toll on local merchants. Masks have been distributed for free at several locations. Everyone goes about with masks on as there is fine particle ash in the air.

The real culprit here has been the winds in the canyons South of us. Here in our area we have not had any wind at all, but winds are forecasted for later in the week. All the smoke has drifted West along the coast so cities to the West are also getting all the smoke. Temperatures have been in the high 70’s and low 80’s and the humidity has been as low as 1% in the back country. All conditions which make fire fighting difficult.

We have been covered with smoke and ash the whole time but this morning we have real sunshine for the first time in over a week. I finally swept the patio this morning so we don’t bring the ash into the house. Wearing a mask of course.

Ash on our street.

This fire may burn for some time yet so it affects everyone in the area.

We have most of our Christmas shopping done, Christmas cards are mailed, packages sent off to friends and relatives, and a few parties have been attended. With the fire, lots of our gatherings have been canceled as some of our friends were in the fire area. All are safe so far.