Wildfire

[Rob Graff]

TO ALL WCLL affected players, families and alumni:
With the raging wildfires affecting the San Diego area, please know you have the UMD Lacrosse family's thoughts and best wishes during this challenging period.

Rob

[OAKS]

I was flying home last night from Atlanta to the Orange County airport. It was quite a sight, you could see the glow from fires down in San Diego County around Poway, some fires around where I live in eastern Orange County, and the glow from some up around Malibu I think.

All our practices are cancelled this week due to bad air quality. Apparently around 350,000 homes in San Diego county have been evacuated and they have shelters set up in Qualcomm Stadium. From what I gather on the radio, things are getting better though.

I'm far enough away that I don't have to worry about it so far - I hope everyone else is doing ok.

[Ravaging Beast]

Some of my friends living in Rancho Bernardo and Poway (San Diego area) are being told that they will be able to return to their homes Thursday(if they are still there). So there is some good news.

[BigheadTodd]

Are all the fires in SD up north, or are they down near the city as well? How about down around Chula Vista and out around Elcajon and Santee?When I lived down there I lived on Point Loma, and then up where El Cajon Blvd starts at washington, and I worked up in Miramar. I hope all is well with Laxdad.

[Andy Sharp]

I was just looking at a Google map of the fires noticing my old workplace near Vista/San Marcos is not too far from the Witch Creek blaze, a mile or so from a

Witch Fire update: up to 200,000 acres burned. 600 structures burned. 625 firefighters battling that blaze. Currently 1% contained.

I pray that all my former co-workers are safe and sound.

An interesting look at blaze and areas of warning and safety:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&ms ... 1fe3357571

[SDSULAX]

I just got back home today after being evacuated on Monday afternoon. Quite a mess, there are fires everywhere, a separate large fire in the southern part of San Diego county, the Harris fire. A real large fire that burned from Ramona through northern Poway and Rancho Bernardo is at Rancho Santa Fe right now, and it is still burning out of control, the Witch Creek fire. You just cannot imagine a wall of flames, sometimes 60 feet tall moving along at 70 MPH, and all that you can do is get out of the way. Then there is another large fire in the Fallbrook/Rainbow area that is burning out of control. This is mostly due to Santa Ana winds blowing through the county and people mishandling fire.

[Sonny]

I understand they postponed the SDSU/BYU football game on Saturday at Jack Murphy Stadium (sorry Qualcomm doesn't fit).

Stay safe out there folks!

[SDSULAX]

SDSU and most San Diego county/ city schools and Universities are closed until Monday. We have been told that the Chargers game is still on for Sunday, I hope everyone that is staying at the stadium, a major evacuation center, is gone by then or gets free tickets.

[laxdad03]

Well, we're now back in our house in Poway too (not sure if we're officially supposed to be yet, oh well), trying to put back all the stuff we grabbed so quickly on the way out, mostly just glad that it's still here (there are lots who are not so fortunate, probably 1200 or so at last count I heard). To say the least, it has been an experience (as if 4 years ago this week wasn't enough). Thanks for the thoughts (Todd, I guess you might have meant me...?). Next stop, Vegas, I guess...

[BigheadTodd]

SDSU and most San Diego county/ city schools and Universities are closed until Monday. We have been told that the Chargers game is still on for Sunday, I hope everyone that is staying at the stadium, a major evacuation center, is gone by then or gets free tickets.

If I remember correctly, a few years back, this same scenario played out and the Chargers played their home game in AZ?

[Andy Sharp]

Sad to report that one of my freshman players lost his home in the fires . . . everything! His parents were here in Michigan visiting when the fires hit. I believe he lived in the area to the north near Rt 78.

[Sonny]

Arson?

Say it ain't so....

[Andy Sharp]

Arson? Say it ain't so....

If this question was for me, the player is from the San Diego area and I believe it was the Witch Creek fire.

The Witch Fire is still 196,420 acres, but now 10% contained.
Suppression costs are at $2.3 million.
There have been 12 injuries to firefighters. There are 1,841 firefighters assigned to this fire.
The fire will continue to move east threatening the communities of Julian and Pine Hills.
Fire has potential to move north and join with the Poomacha Fire. Fire spread to west and southwest is still a potential.
There have been 645 structures destroyed – 250 damaged. 100 commercial properties destroyed – 75 damaged. 50 outbuildings destroyed – 50 damaged

[Sonny]

Wasn't directed at you Andy.

Just sad to think that some person might be responsible for all this tragic loss of life and property.

[sdsulax7]

for all those trying to keep track of the fires google has a great map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&ms ... 1fe3357571