Today was one hell of a day. It is now 3AM.

It started out like the 2003 fires. Everyone was on alert to evacuate. Kirsten (KT) and Jason and the boys plus family and dogs and cats came down to San Diego. Norm, KT’s Dad braved the fire to rescue their other dogs. I spent the day with the boys, keeping them occupied and took in 3 cats. Ultimately, we just waited and watched. Michelle then evacuated to my house “just in case.” There are now 3 dogs and 5 cats at my house. Michelle and her friend Reid are sleeping in my living room.

Michelle, her friend and I watched television to keep our minds off the fires. Tonight was quiet, but then we got the word from her mother that Spring Valley was being evacuated. After an hour of deliberating, we didn’t know if we should go after her dogs or not. We decided to go. The fire was close. She started crying, but we assured her we’d get to her house to get her animals.We could see it on the hillside. At her apartment complex, residents were packing and leaving. The glow of the fire could be seen from her house, just over the hill in Spring Valley, which is only 15 minutes away from my house. The fire was so close we could smell everything and feel smoke in our lungs. The embers were flying.

By the time we left, there was a mandatory evacuation of Spring Valley. We had gotten out in time. The fire was creeping closer and closer on the hillside. From my house, on Navajo Road, we could see the fire in the distance. It’s only a matter of time and chance of strong winds that will bring the fire to my door. Tomorrow I start packing. This is too similar to 2003′s firestorm.

The fire we’ve been watching all day was the Witch Creek Fire. The fire I should have been watching was the Harris Fire.

The lights just flickered. Power has been intermittent for many residents in the county. Hopefully we’ll have power in the morning.

Scale: For scale, this map is about 30 miles (about 50 km)across from coast line to the edge of the jpeg image. It’s about 45 miles (or about 70km) from the bottom of the image (US/Mexico border) to the top of the jpeg image.

I get nervous when there’s a fire of this magnitude. KT and Jay and the kids and the rents are evacuated from Ramona. In tow are many animals. They are safe and sound in my neighborhood though. KT and Jay are with his parents. Not sure where everyone else is. It was shocking to hear that the fire spread so quickly yesterday. I told Kirsten they’d better get packed and get outta there since it was so close to Ramona. Their fears were further exemplified when they could see the blaze and smoke from their home. They left last night. Everyone is safe though, but hopefully it won’t come down this way again as it did in 2003 (I don’t want to have to stay with my mom ).

This morning, it seems the fire has all but engulfed Ramona. I’m going to help in anyway I can. I’m taking in Kirsten and Jason’s cats.

Take a look at the fire maps.

The fire after 2 days…

Compare this to the 4 days in 2003 (I made this 4 years ago):