In a message dated 10/23/2007 4:07:12 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Yes, we are all packed and waiting for an evacuation order here in the
northern section of San Diego. I am hoping that we will not have to leave
the area, but...
The news tonight reported 514,000 people have been evacuated in San Diego
and 950,000 in Southern California, which makes this the largest evacuation in
American history since the Civil War. President Bush is arriving in San Diego
on Thursday and FEMA is on the scene making hollow announcements. When NBC
and ABC national news arrived today, they expected to see a scene similar to
New Orleans at Qualcomm Stadium (our football field). Instead, they found
roving bands of clowns, jugglers, kids playing checkers, medics taking care of all
the infirmed, and 10,000 happy people tailgating in the parking lot. We
expect 12,000 people tonight. The only problem the emergency shelters are having
is a shortage of porta potties and showers, which will be solved by
overcoming personal shyness and opening the Chargers' shower facilities. The losses to
property is not precisely known, but at least 1,250 houses have burned, over
250 commercial buildings, at least one City of San Diego, Historical
Landmark, the 1870 Sikes Adobe burned, and thousands of people lost everything. The
outpouring from the public is astonishing, as much so as the organization and
willingness to carry out official direction.
The San Diego Archaeological Center in San Pasqual Valley was completely
surrounded by enormous firestorm flames, but the fuelbreak spared the building.
The nearby Battle of San Pasqual (Mexican War of 1846) State Park visitor
center lost part of the public toilet and a building wall.
The Wild Animal Park animals are safe and the condors have been relocated to
a safe sanctuary. The elephants and giraffes are out in a field that is a
very long way from brush or flamable materials. Needless to say, the place is
closed indefinitely.
The only colleague who is known to have lost a house is Mike Baksh, who is
president of Tierrra Environmental and former president of the San Diego
Archaeological Center. But many colleagues live in areas that were evacuated and
hit pretty hard by the Witch Creek and Harris Fires, so who really knows the
toll right now?
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.
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