San Diego Bonsai Buddies - Good Luck

[BrianBay9]

San Diego Fire - Bonsai Buddies, Good Luck

For those of you not following the news out of southern California, much of San Diego county is on fire, or threatened by fire. Judging from the evacuation maps I've seen, our friend Joanie may or may not have been evacuated already.

Joanie, if you've still got access to a computer, can you give us an update on our bonsai buddies in the county? I suspect Phil Tactill has been evacuated. Have you heard from Ted? It looks like his place could already have been lost. Cindy? Others? I know you must be out of your mind worried, but if you can, let us know how things are going for you.

Anyone else in San Diego that can give us an update?

BrianBay9

 

[irene_b]

I second the worry about our Bonsai Buddies there!
Your lives mean a lot more to us then your house and trees!
Please be safe!
Irene

 

[Bonsai Nut]

It was so hot here yesterday I had my kids sleep upstairs with me and had the A/C on all night. Couldn't open the windows because the smoke was so bad. Not that it would have mattered - it was hot all night (a rarity in Southern California) and was already 82 today at 6:45 am.

I've lived here 12 years and never seen winds like this. I pulled half a garbage can of eucalyptus leaves out of my pool - and we don't have any eucalyptus trees on our property. I had some ficus landscape trees in 15 gallon pots that were pushed all the way across my pool deck.

I know some of the fires were from "natural" causes (downed wire, car fire), but the one closest to my house was caused by an arsonist. It's so sad to see people who feel some sort of reward from causing harm to the greatest number of people.

Seems like the Orange County fire was put out last night - we could see some of the fire at night but it had dwindled considerably. This morning still smells smoky but the air is clear. I live in an area that is not at risk to any fires - too close to the ocean and too developed (i.e. irrigated with little open dry chaparral). However I know many families who live on the East side of the freeways closer to the mountains and the desert. A friend just moved out of a neighborhood that went up in smoke last night in San Diego. The East sides of LA, Orange and San Diego counties are cheap... but those are the areas at greatest risk because they border on the open scrublands.

 

[Bill S]

Didn't hit me until this post, but they have said that upwards of 500,000 people have been moved away from the fires. Hope all works out well. Hope this doesn't harm any of our friends.

Good Luck

 

[Dav4]

The last I heard, as of 1PM EST today, was that 500,000 people had been evacuated, upwards of 1,000 homes have already been lost, and most fires in the San Diego area are zero percent contained. Sounds absolutely awful. Wish all well and be safe.

Dave

 

[robert1955]

My fellow Bonsai "nuts"
I was evacuated on the 22nd, just got back late last night(25th). Our entire town of 45,000 people were told to leave and leave I did! 20,000 cars were escorted thru Camp Pendleton. My wife and I got important papers, pictures, our 2 dogs and cat. We went north up to Riverside and ran into people leaving the fire in the LA and San Bernardino counties. When we left the wind was blowing so hard the windows were shaking in the house. To our south the sky was black with a red glow to it. Its something I wouldn't wish on anyone. They, god bless our firefighters, stop the fire here in Fallbrook 1 mile from our house. We had our minds made up that we lost our home. We had 2 changes of clothing, but our home is still here. The ash stirred up like snow driving down the street. The town was on complete lockdown patrolled by the national guard, with M-16's. This has given us a new perspective on life. I spent 2 hours sweeping ash off of everything. And my 80 plus collection of bonsai were bone dry and many toppled but we have much to be thankful for. Here are some pictures that are 5 minutes from where we live.

 

[robert1955]

Heres a couple more and this rose bloomed while we were gone.

Bob

 

[robert1955]

If anyone has heard from anyone in San Diego or the East county please leave a message.

Bob

 

[BrianBay9]

Robert,

There's a discussion about this going on here too:

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/f14/san-diego-bonsai-buddies-good-luck-25963.html

Joanie is fine, as are Phil, Cindy, Lyn, Bart, John Tiess, ....I haven't heard about Michelle, nor about Ted. I'm most worried about Ted, Chris Manion and Dave Rochester, given the path of the fires.

Glad to hear you and your house are still standing!

Brian

 

[Smoke]

Isn't "Big Dave Rochester" the original bonsainut?

 

[robert1955]

Isn't "Big Dave Rochester" the original bonsainut?

I believe he is. He's a great guy.


Bob

 

[BrianBay9]

I believe he was also the original Chef Dave....before that handle was besmirched by a less reputable fellow....

Brian

 

[Chris Johnston]

My fellow Bonsai "nuts"
I was evacuated on the 22nd, just got back late last night(25th). Our entire town of 45,000 people were told to leave and leave I did! 20,000 cars were escorted thru Camp Pendleton. My wife and I got important papers, pictures, our 2 dogs and cat. We went north up to Riverside and ran into people leaving the fire in the LA and San Bernardino counties. When we left the wind was blowing so hard the windows were shaking in the house. To our south the sky was black with a red glow to it. Its something I wouldn't wish on anyone. They, god bless our firefighters, stop the fire here in Fallbrook 1 mile from our house. We had our minds made up that we lost our home. We had 2 changes of clothing, but our home is still here. The ash stirred up like snow driving down the street. The town was on complete lockdown patrolled by the national guard, with M-16's. This has given us a new perspective on life. I spent 2 hours sweeping ash off of everything. And my 80 plus collection of bonsai were bone dry and many toppled but we have much to be thankful for. Here are some pictures that are 5 minutes from where we live.

Wow Robert, you are a fortunate man indeed. Glad you and yours are all okay.