10/23 More on the fires

This morning Jill emailed to say that the fires had moved away from her home. Then she called to say she's in her house watching them bulldoze up on top of her ridge--they were trying to make it barren up there so there would be nothing for the fire to gobble up.

That sounded all well and good--prevention is the key, right? Then I went to msnbc.com and used their virtual earth to see where the fires actually were. There's one right across Interstate 5 from Jill. Less than a mile away. At least that's the way it looks. I can see Jill and Todd's house, and there's a mark denoting where the nearest fire is.

10/22 California's burning

So much to write about and not a lot of time.

Several of the horrible California fires are near Jill's house in northern LA county. The kids' school closed and their daycare had voluntary evacuation, so Jill took off work and took the kids home. They can't play outside because of the smoke.

Jill had an emergency bag packed and is prepared to go if necessary. Todd is on a business trip, so she is alone with the kids and the dog. But she is a competent and strong woman and I have confidence she will handle everything.

She writes to the family frequently to keep us informed, plus she's called to talk to me. It's scary thinking of my "little girl" and grandkids being out there, but I believe her when she says she's taken all precautions. She has an evacuation plan too, and friends she can stay with. (Sounds suspiciously like hurricane evacuation.)

I love them so much and am glad Jill is so together.

More later on the North Carolina experience.