Here’s everything I saw from my point-of-view. When I walk outside, the sky is yellow and smoky as far as your eye could see. And there are ashes falling from the sky for MILES it almost looks like snow except it doesn’t dissolve, it stays in your hair, on your clothes, on your car, etc. So right now, just by LOOKS alone, it looks like the after-effects of a mild war. In our pool area, our tables and umbrellas were turned over, and when you step on the ground there is almost a half an inch of ash. Our vehicles were covered in sut, and breathing outside is near impossible without a mask.
I wanted to just stay home and not panic, but the more I listened to the news and SAW how close it was, it didn’t take too much to convince me. My wonderful charming prince (happy birthday sweetie) IM’ed me online to get the hell outta there and actually was sweet enough to tell me what to pack since I couldn’t think straight. Thanks hon, you are so sweet
At the evacuation center, there were hundreds of people inside, a lot of volunteers, and everyone was supportive of one another. There was homemade food, some fruit, wonderful snacks, for dinner they cooked spaghetti amongst other things, including pizza, they brought subway sandwiches, you name it. For snacks, I had an apple or banana. For lunch, I had a turkey/ham Subway sandwich. For dinner, I had soup with a little bit of chicken in there.
I tried to take a nap, but kids were running around, and there were some dogs barking, so I stayed awake and mingled with people the whole time. I drew a little bit, sketched a few people, and got to talk with others. When I went outside to smoke a cigarette, I met three guitarists who were jamming on some rocks, and I sketched them out freehand while they played. After they finished, one of the guitarists whose name was James, really hit it up with me on conversation. He is a die-hard on-fire Christian who welcomed me with open arms despite of my profession, and even though he preached at me and made me feel a little uncomfortable at times, he also knew when to back off, and it was nice. We talked for like 5 hours straight about God, about life, about spirituality, etc. It was humbling. A girl eventually joined our chat named Becky and me and her ended up talking for several hours about Christ and we exchanged numbers, she may come over and do some art with me sometime. So I made two good friends who seem like a nice support system if I ever need someone.
There were SO many volunteers, the WHOLE day I must have been asked about 30 times if I wanted some bottled water or some food. People were so helpful, people were walking around helping everyone. If someone came in distraught, people would help them, counsel them. There were doctors there giving free medical exams, taking care of prescriptions for diabetics and such, and some people were offering free therapy.
There was a donation table of clothes with just rows and rows of neatly folded, highly organized, labeled, clothes for people who needed them. There was a mountain high pile of water bottles, cans, etc. of just extra drinks we may need. In the bathrooms, there were hairdryers, toothbrushes, shampoo, cologne, EVERYTHING. It was like NOTHING was left un-thought-about. There were even showers available, everything.
I really couldn’t believe how well the community pulled together. It was truly humbling.
One lady who had no friends, no family, no money, no car, nothing… saw me smoking and begged desperately for a cigarette. I gave her a whole pack (since I brought a $40 carton - I smoke the expensive kind) and the look on her face was absolutely priceless. I will never forget it. She burst into tears, hugged me and told me she would never forget me. Wow, the small things we do for others.
One lady came into the evacuation talking loudly into her cell phone and she was saying “I have no water, I have no electricty, I haven’t slept in 2 days, I can’t DEAL with this, I can’t even go home, it’s blocked off!” and then she fell to the floor very slowly as if breaking down, and I ran over to her and hugged her and helped her get back on her feet. Some of the others helped her as well, we brought her inside, I got her some ice for her ankle, and the others counseled her, made her feel nice…
I decided to get some sleep, turned out they DID have a designated sleeping section upstairs, so I slept in the female side and went to an assigned bed. The girl beside me snored ALL night. SOOOO loud. I slept with me ear phones on to drown her out.
When I woke up, I went into the main area, most everyone had gone home, unless sleeping upstairs… so I grabbed a banana, signed out on the Red Cross sheet… and came back home.
And here I am. I am so so so impressed with how people came together today, it was amazing!
On another note, the fire department says they think they can contain the fire by Monday at 8 pm which is about a week from now. The fire has stretched over 240 miles in circumfrence if you were to draw a circle around it (even though they are just spread unevenly throughout this area).
Fact:
* these outbreaks of fires are the worst in over a decade in California’s history
* 14 confirmed deaths
* 1,100 homes (at least) destroyed
* consumed more than 400,000 acres stretching from the Mexican border to the suburbs northeast of L.A.
Even though I am at home right now, I have a feeling I may have to mandatory evacuate. Right now I have a bit of a headache from all the smoke insulation, I was outdoors for 9 hours without a mask. Even my voice sounds raspy. What I may do is go to the evacuation center and volunteer my services to other people who need it. Sometimes a hug goes a long way.
Thank you to EVERYONE who has kept people’s lives and homes in your thoughts and prayers.
The following is a map of the fires closest to me (there are two more GIANT fires headed off the map near san bernardino and L.A.). Notice the green circle is where I am. There are two yellow fires underneath my town headed this way.
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