Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Week 9 - Wildfires
Feel free to use this site as a place to post your experiences, observations, thoughts, and feelings about the wildfires. Besides this being a good communication tool, sharing what you're going through can be healing as well. If anyone needs help or a temporary home, post that too. Best to all. Hope to see you Monday. - Moshe
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Here is a blog on the wildfires that I have been following. It is pretty good with up to date information if anyone is interested. http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2007-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=31
I feel fortunate not to have been personally affected by the wildfires. However, as I'm sure everyone did, I felt great concern. I could feel the seriousness of the situation just by going outside and smelling the smoke, watching the ash fall, and looking up to the grayness of the sky. Watching the local news only helped to reaffirm my fears, the maps of the fires showed that the City of San Diego was literally surrounded. I made a list of what I should bring, just in case.
The last couple days I've volunteered at the main evacuation site at Qualcomm Stadium and it was overwhelming. Over 10,000 people, carrying possibly all they had left of their homes; spread out in cots and sleeping bags all over the stadium. Amazingly people were overall in good spirits, despite the situation and the 90 degree heat. The site was very well organized and included everything people needed and more: food, water, clothes, internet access and even entertainment. Kids ran around, blissfully unaware; receiving toys, playing games, and coloring. I know that in every emergency, people are always looking to blame; but I can only hope that if I was ever in this situation, it could only go so smoothly.
This has sure been a crazy, unsettling week so far. And, unfortunately for many, the worst is yet to come as they pick up the pieces and try to go on. I've been glued to the news since Sunday. Did anyone watch as Larry Himmel reported his own home burning to the ground? It was heart breaking. And, yet, he was courageous enough to share it with the rest of San Diego and throughout the world.
Although my heart goes out to the handful of my friends and acquaintances whose homes were destroyed and, as of this moment, ten of my family members are still unaware of the status of their Fallbrook homes, I am thankful that my family and I are safe.
even though I have not been personally affected by the fires it is really scary to see what an impact this has had on the community. A couple of night ago all of us were outside and we could actually see an entire hill on fire...the power of it and the destruction it causes really teaches us that nature can be harsh...
My heart goes out to all the families who have lost their homes or been forced to evacuate due to the fire..I hope everyone in class is alright.
Let me say as well that my heart truley goes out to all of those personally affected by the devastating fires. It is amazing to see how a community really pulls together in times of need. ITs beautiful to see all the volunteerism and community support throughout the county. I often wonder why it takes a catastrophy to see a community pull together and help one another out, regardless I am so thankful that there has been such an amazing response to pitch in and help those who have lost their homes to pick up the pieces. I was watching on the news yesterday in regards to "one stop shopping", this was a term used by the broadcaster regarding to rec centers being set up with all the necessary agencies under one roof to help people put their lives back together (insurance, counseling, loans, home builders, ect) I thought that was a great idea. Well stay safe everyone and hopefully see you on monday.
Oh the fires, the fires. Where do I begin? We were evacuated on Sunday evening when Ramona caught fire (I do not live far from Ramona). My mom, dog, two cats, pictures and photo albums all fled to the town of Poway to a family friend's house. Their house already had another family (with a baby) who also fled the fires...it was deja vu from the Cedar fires of 2003.
In Poway we stayed glued to the news, I couldn't go the SDSU for my midterm due to complete lack of sleep (I slept on the floor) and the clogging of the freeways. All day we sat and waited, couldn't go outside b/c of air quality and couldn't do much else b/c too many people in one household...we did a lot of snacking and worrying.
Then Monday evening we were evacuated again, this time from Poway...and this time I went to the beach, I thought if the flames came that far I could at least sit in the water. A friend of mine put me up with my dog and two cats while my mom and our friends went elsewhere to safety. I have spent three nights with my friend in her tiny apartment in OB and I just now was given the all clear to return to our home. It is Thursday evening. I could use a shower and some clean underwear, but first I must de-flee the animals.
We were lucky this time, in the Cedar fires we weren't so lucky. My heart goes out to all the families who have suffered a loss. We have some friends in Fallbrook and we don't know the status of their house yet. At least we know everyone is alive and well.
San Diego on fire!!! I heard about the wild fire in 2003, I was not here then. But this has been a real night mare. I feel a lot for all the people out there, who were evacuated, some lost their houses, and everyone lost their peace of mind!!
I know of a friend in Victorville, Who had to do a voluntary evacuation and thenthey were asked to move back in. Last thing that upset the happiness to get back in their unburnt house was to go there and find out that there has been a burlgary and robbery in their house, and most of the valuables have been stolen. Its a materialistic loss, which shall be covered by the Insurance but not some irreplaceable valuables like pics, albums, and gifts from loved ones! Same thing happened to one of my students...This is the worst act, and I can't believe,how someone instead of trying to help and volunteer, but think of doing these horrendeous acts.
Great job Tiffany for volunteering!!I went there and registered, but did not get a call back..Bummer!!
And this one goes to all my classmates, and their friends and anyone they know..if there is anyone who needs place to live, please please feel free to count on me. My apartment is not very big, but my heart is...I am very willing, and shall be very happy, if I can be of any help to anyone!!!
Megan, hope you are doing fine, now back to your house..I can understand how horrible the last few days would have been for you.
This also goes a step ahead to prove, that our advancement and technology stands no where in front of the vagaries of nature.
Wow - what else is there to say about the fires? Devastating, sad, depressing, scary, all-around terrible. My heart goes out to everyone affected directly or indirectly. I can't even fathom the idea that someone may have started one or more of them on purpose. What in the heck could drive someone to do such a thing??? Since that person or people will likely never be caught, I just hope that he/she/they are feeling so guilty that they can barely take it anymore. But more importantly, I just hope that everyone who had a home that was destroyed is able to rebuild as quickly and painlessly as possible. What an amazing display of San Diegans' hearts through all of this, though. The community has really come together. And the news coverage and other health communication has been phenomenal, in my opinion, as nothing else was even on tv or radio for a few days (on local stations for those of us who do not have cable). However, I have heard a few people interviewed who have said that they were not given word about their neighborhoods' mandatory evacuations until they were almost too late (i.e., the fires almost consumed them). I wonder what went wrong...why were they not made more aware? What were they doing, if not watching the news 24/7 like the rest of us?
On another note, I have come across a few articles unrelated to the fires during these past few days, as I have been wasting hours of time doing nothing at my computer. The first one is about the lack of health literacy among poor people, as we discussed a couple of weeks ago: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071023/hl_nm/india_health_information_dc;_ylt=AvjGA7cSMLBG26qsqDoaD4MQ.3QA
The second one addresses different kinds of ads (e.g., emotional appeal, informative, etc.), as we discussed the last time we met (I think) in the context of the obesity epidemic: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071022/ap_on_he_me/diet_obesity_ads;_ylt=Aqd4fpSDv2qLZ5vUpDYCYX4R.3QA
Finally, the last one pertains to my group's cause (the walking schoolbus), as it talks about the nationwide attempt to get these things started in various locations: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071026/ap_on_he_me/fitness_school_commuters;_ylt=AkD7Hz7pUz_6CH0ZH92M1Xpa24cA
Stay safe, everyone!
Sending each of you a warm embrace.
My experience of the fires has thankfully been from a distance. We learned of them Sunday at the Portland airport. Southwest warned us that our flight into SD might not be able to land. Seeing the fires (4, at that time) from the air is a sight I will never forget. We made it home and soon had evacuated friends staying with us...it was cozy: 4 adults, a baby and 5 dogs in a 1 bedroom.
It has been beautiful to see how everyone has done what they can in accordance with their gifts and abilities - our church is an evacuation center, my mom's group is collecting children's clothes and toys for the families in our group who lost their homes, accupuncturist friends have been treating people for free at Qualcomm...everyone has something to offer.
On a public health note, has anyone else noticed the absence of HHSA at the OES press conferences? I've found those briefings to be well-organized and informative but during the Cedar Fire I remember HHSA having more of a presence; Dr. Bowen was up there talking about air and water quality in 2003 but I haven't heard similar messages this time...except for the boil water order for Ramona and the general advice to stay inside, and these messages have been delivered by elected officials and the news media, not public health officers.
I am just so blessed to not have been directly affected by the fires. My very pregnant friend and her husband had to evacuate bc they lived in San Marcos. I didn't even know San Marcos was affected until I saw it on the news and by then she had already fled to Oceanside. Luckily, the fire there was 100% contained earlier on. I cannot even begin to understand how ppl cope(d) with fleeing from their houses knowing that they may/may not return to a home, but my hope and prayers go out to each and everyone of them. In regards to Amanda's question, I did not see Larry Himmel report on his own home burning, but I did see two interviews that have remained with me. The first being this guy who had a family and who like many others had to flee with his kids, wife and few possessions. They then showed him returning to house that was no more and to see him trying to hold in his tears while his voice cracked and his nose lit up - was heartbreaking. Then there was this couple, I think they were from Rancho Bernardo, they were being interviewed by Matt Laurer (sp?) from the Today show. They had just recently purchased a a fireproof safe and put their marriage license among other items in it. When they returned to their home they had found it had been destroyed. Later we find out they didn't even have homeowner's insurance...my response = YIKES! However, throughout the entire interview - they were lighthearted about their loss that DIDN'T include their marriage license as their fireproof safe was the only thing that survived. The only explanation I could give myself was that they were just so blessed they still had each other and the paperwork that represented their union, as they realized the outcome could have been much more worse...Yes, there was a lot of news coverage these few days but it allowed us to stay up to date on areas affected as well as teach us different ways that ppl are coping with their loss. el fin.
My heart goes out to everyone who lost their home. And of course if anyone in class needs anything please don't hesitate to ask.
It has been a scary week for everyone in San Diego. I cannot imagine what must go through the minds of the people who lost their homes and had to evacuate. I have not been personally affected by the fire, but I did have a friend who lives in Chula Vista and was very scared for her since the fire was so close to her home. I have to say a thousand “thank you” to our great firefighters and emergency responders, they did an outstanding job! I’m from Washington State and I’ve never seen a wildfire like this….it rains too much! I am very impressed with the people in San Diego, the volunteers, and the outpouring donations and just the kindness that this tragedy brought out. It definitely tells people not from this city that San Diegans rally together to take care of each other when tragedy strikes! The community just came together and helped those in need! People’s kindness still exists; it’s there, although I think in our every day “busy” lives we forget the act of kindness, we forget to be kind to each other.
I hope that everyone remained safe and with family through this devastating event. Watching the fire on television since Sunday, it is humbling to see what Mother Nature can do to us even with the power and technology that our country possesses. I’m hugging my daughter and my husband just a little bit more each day after this fire. My hope is that we don’t forget to help those people who are still struggling to put what is left together from this tragedy. My husband and I decided to donate money to Red Cross; this is the only way we feel that we can help even if it is just a little bit.
Stay safe, be kind, and be hopeful, we live in a great beautiful city!
Last Sunday as I flew back from Chicago to San Diego, I noticed the fires burning from high above the sky. Little did I know what a huge impact those fires would have on thousands of lives in San Diego County. I want to say that the fires didn't affect me, but in actuality it did. It affected my school, work, and lastly it affected the lives of my friends and family who evacuated their homes. It is unfortunate that this event took place, especially in San Diego, such a beautiful city; leaving so many people homeless and nowhere to go. As San Diego moves forward to rebuild, public health will play a huge part in the promotion of the community's health; whether it be through environmental promotion, epidemiological studies, and health campaigns to promote healthy communities within the cities that have been devastated by the fires. You normally want to refer to monumental events as something positive, but the San Diego fires are truly a monumental event because it's affected the lives of so many people and will cost so much in time, money, and effort, but like the fires of 2003, I know that San Diego will recover, rebuild, and can overcome the tragedies that have taken place.
I'm so glad the fires have been somewhat contained. This whole past week has been very stressful, even without school! I was soo worried about the people I knew who had to be evacuated. At times like these I really wish my family was around. All of my family lives up north about 8 hours. So on Thursday morning I woke up and said I'm getting the heck out of here. I think at times like these, family is soo important. I'm glad to hear that everyone is safe and sound.
I did see Larry Himmel's house burn down on tv because my family and I were glued to the television every waking moment from Sunday night through Friday. Didn't get any school work done sadly. Our house in Ramona was fine, but we did have to evacuate on Sunday night. And then again from Escondido on Tuesday. Very fun. I think that I'm still in a fog about it. When we packed up our stuff I was extremely calm even while my mom was crying. But I did strange things like grab everything I saw- even some things that don't really matter at all.
I can't imagine how terrible it was for the 2,000 odd families who came home to burned out rubble, and I wish them all the best. We shouldn't be whining in Ramona just because we don't have drinkable water- but that's hard to do too!
Hope everyone who hasn't commented is safe and well.
As for the wildfires, I just gotten back from Mexico (research, no fun trip) and I hear most of San Diego, Irvine and LA is burning. I was at the border and everything seemed normal, but the sky was dark and it was only 2.30 pm.
Once I found out there was no school for the week and no work, I gathered my stuff and went home to see my family. They were worried especially since I'm home alone in my place. Plus, my internet was down. It was bad in LA and Malibu. Malibu had their own bad fire.
I wanted to volunteer (props to Tiff), but it was CROWDED and very organized. I was impressed.
I saw the Larry Himmel piece and it was heartbreaking. He's a strong man for doing that. You felt his pain.
I'm glad to see everyone doing well :) My prayers and thoughts are with the victims to the fires (whether loss of life or loss of homes).
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