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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGo Bag Blues
The Fairview Fire is miles and miles from me. But I'm keeping track with Google Maps and CalFire. When you look out your window and see smoke as thick as anything you've ever seen, you get nervous.
The Fire is blowing South, Southeast, and creeping my way. It has blown past the fire lines, and is out of control. Zero containment, or maybe 5%, but I don't believe it, when those that know state it is growing in all directions.
As I said, it is a long way away. But, I'm thinking I'll check around my place and pack a go bag. In three days it has consumed 10,000 acres, not to mention the people and homes. It lays down a bit at night, but I don't think I have another 10,000 acres between me and it. The smoke in the mornings appears white or grey, but in the evening it is coal black, a sign that it's eating new consumables. And the clouds are streaming thisaway.
I've had a lot of fires happen before, and been on fire watch many times, but this is just making me so nervous. We may get some rain on Friday, or Saturday. That would be good. I really want this to be over.
In the old days, my people used to tell me I was silly to worry, but still I do. I have good brush clearance, thanks to my goats. That won't mean a hill of beans if it got this far. But, nothing to do but keep an eye on it. Other people way closer than I am have got their hands full.

JoeOtterbein
(7,687 posts)Please be careful.
niyad
(108,020 posts)started, nearly every person in my complex had a go bag ready. On day 4, the evacuation line was 100 feet to the west of us. That night, the fire destroyed 456 homes just a few miles from us. We were very lucky, despite the idiocy of those in charge.
Years of living in hurricane or earthquake or blizzard country taught me to always have a go bag ready.
May you all be safe.
EndlessWire
(6,008 posts)electric_blue68
(14,025 posts)get rain and you can stay put.
Good luck to you all!
(I just read a du post on a herder with sheep & goats that
does that type of fire breaking, or slow down at least )
alwaysinasnit
(4,965 posts)
Mr.Bill
(23,184 posts)One time it was 7:00 am on a Sunday and I had about five minutes to get out. We were back in two days, everything okay.
Keep your gas tank full, and don't wait until evacuation is mandatory to leave. Leave when they issue an evacuation advisory or sooner. That way you will avoid getting stuck in traffic. Many of the people in Paradise died in their cars because the fire moved so fast.
If you have friends or relatives you can stay with, let them know now you may be coming. If you have pets, bring food and water and medical records you may have for them. If you b
have a full or almost full clothes hamper throw that in the car. There are likely a week's worth of complete changes of clothes in there. That's a good place to start, clothing-wise.
Here's a good weather website for showing wind direction:
https://www.ventusky.com/?p=35.8;-119.7;5&l=rain-3h&t=20220908/0300
Best of luck to you. Please stay safe.
Hekate
(88,099 posts)We got out in 15 minutes in the dark from the Thomas Fire with everything but extra clothes. Dog, medicine (us old people need our medicine), important papers. To this day I remember to do a quick review at bedtime to make sure my keys and glasses are in my purse which is exactly in the same place in the bedroom, and that my iPad and iPhone are charging in a basket under my bedside table.
Super lucky our street was spared it was too damn close.
Nothing replaces your life. Stay safe.
crickets
(25,773 posts)but so sorry that it's necessary to do so. Stay safe, and I hope the best for you.
EndlessWire
(6,008 posts)I'm now in an evacuation warning area. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I am so scared. And, I am weak today. Can barely walk. Fuck!
I see that the fire has apparently jumped the 74 hwy up near Valle Vista, next to East Hemet. All that area is also under Yellow Warning.
Well, Go Bag now...gonna try. I won't be able to take Decker, my beloved goat. Everything sucks, now...