From the disaster zone…

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Smoke thickened after I took this photo and is worse today.

I live in the area where high winds whipped up 60 different fires in a few hours early Monday (yesterday) morning. My neighborhood was on alert to evacuate, but that never became necessary. In this part of Northern California just north of San Francisco Bay, scores of my friends are among the 20,000 people who have been evacuated, and the homes of at least two families dear to me have burned to the ground.

Many hundreds of structures were destroyed yesterday, but fires are still burning and uncontained and it’s impossible to know at this point what the full extent of the damage will be, or how many lives will have been lost. Though we are all in shock at the speed and extent of this destruction all around us, everyone I know is thankful for the love and support, and continued existence, of their friends and family. I wanted you all to know that I am okay.

27 thoughts on “From the disaster zone…”

  3. My heart breaks for you and my old neighborhood.

    I stop in on a blog from my other old neighborhood on St John. It has only been weeks but all on that small island have really pulled together. They are even working out “Voluntourism”. St John is covered with vacation home rentals. By the way I cleaned for a couple of management companies- great business. People have to book way in advance so they are the ones asking if they can help.

    Is your church building safe?

    You are in my heart and my prayers and my thoughts. Love you.

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  4. So glad you are o.k. Our prayers are with everyone in the area. This is such a hard situation to go through. So many homes lost, lives lost too. Be safe, take care.

    Sherry H.

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  7. I was just thinking of you this morning and wondering if you were affected. Events like this jolt us out of the illusion we live in that we are ‘safe’ and secure.. it is so frightening and shocking to realise that there is no security, and all we have is each other. I know that you have the true riches of a loving family and friends around you and that you yourself have lots of love to give to your community. Sending loving thoughts your way as your whole community grapples with the ‘what next?’..

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  8. I thought of you and other friends in northern California this morning, and then realized that I also have a friend in Fullerton, on the edge of the Anaheim fire. I’m so glad you posted to let us know that you’re safe. When I heard about that first, small Oakland fire, I was a little concerned. I just didn’t expect a conflagration so quickly.

    Be safe, and know we are praying for an end to fire, and the well-being of all.

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    1. I don’t even know about the Oakland fire – it is not connected to these north of the Bay that are part of a large complex of the Tubbs and Nun Fires that are morphing and expanding to join forces. But I can’t keep track of much of what’s going on from the middle of the ever changing situation.

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      1. The Oakland fire was relatively small, and I believe has been completely extinguished now. I’m off now to check on the fires in your area. I see there’s been some containment in the fires farther south.

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  9. I am so glad you are safe. I am heartbroken over the extreme loss. I just can’t imagine how it happened so fast and so furious. The pictures are so devastating. I will continue to pray and I am so glad you are a safe.

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  10. I don’t normally comment, but I do follow your interesting blog. I’m glad you’re safe, and very sorry to hear of people affected by the fires. My prayers aren’t worth much perhaps, but…

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  11. Thank you for letting us know you are ok. There seems to be one disaster after another these days. I’m sorry for your friends and all those who have lost everything.

    Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

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  13. Praying for this tragedy. I am glad that you are safe and your church is in a fire free zone, but how traumatic for everyone. It feels like too much bad news for too many people this year.

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  15. I’m so relieved to read this, GJ, and know that you are okay, and also that your home has survived. I’m so, so sorry for your loved ones and friends who have lost homes and property. What a horrible event! That the high winds came and spread so many fires! May God be near you all and sustain you.

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  21. Gretchen, I’m so glad you’re okay but heartbroken when I see the news of the devastation. I’m so sorry your friends have lost their homes. I can’t even begin to imagine their sorrow and the difficult road they have ahead of them now.

    Be careful, be safe, praying for you and sending love,
    Dewena

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