Fallbrook Fire … the house survived and so did I
Having been a firefighter more 20 years, it was a tough decision to join the family and head out of town when the Rice Canyon Fire was taking out homes left and right in my town this past week. I must say that the authorities in San Diego County did an amazing job doing the reverse 911 calls and letting everyone know that it was time to split. Intense as it was, I am pleased to report that our house was not burned and everything is good, but there was an ominous black spot in the mulch in the back yard - an ember that apparently wanted to start the yard on fire, but didn’t. The fire was less than a mile away from my place. Intense. We were evacuated Monday through Thursday and found comfort in calling the house a few times a day and hearing that the answering machine was still working — meaning that there was still utilities to the house and it was still picking up and taking messages. Cool! We got back and the house didn’t even have a smell of smoke inside, but the ash around the house was pretty thick. Whew!
Went to the gym this morning and the stories were flying and few people there were actually working out, but it was great to hear from different people I always saw that were fine and there places were intact. The gym stayed open the whole time and was letting the firefighters use the showers.
My workout partner, Jerry, had a place in the neighborhood called "Valley Oaks" a spot that received a great deal of media attention during the fire due to the devastation. Initially his wife thought their place was gone, but they found out a day or two later that it was amazingly still there.
My thanks go out to all firefighters … seriously, you guys rock! The work done in holding the fire was amazing and while there were many places lost, there were loads more that were saved. I seen firefighters from as far away as Berkeley and other spots in Northern California at the grocery store yesterday. I shook everyone of their hands as I came across them.
Life is getting back to normal … but I am quite sure that this community will be much stronger and neighbors will be closer than ever before.
October 27, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Being a San Diegan myself, I’m super happy for you that your house survived!! I agree that the firefighters did/are doing an amazing job, as well!!
November 10, 2007 at 10:51 am
Definitely count your blessings. Nice to know not only is you and your family ok, but your house is too. Neat to hear how the gym stayed open too. I think its a great way for people process events and also allow them to get their minds off the events for a bit.
November 13, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Good to hear all is well! I remember when we had a huge fire near here several years back, I worked at a Sonic and we were always giving the firefighters free drinks and meals. They truly are an amazing group of people. Again, glad to hear that the worst that happened to you and your life was a temporary "vacation."
November 22, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Wow I just moved out of Fallbrook in August. I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, I remember right before I was separated we had a fire right on base. Good job firefighters!