My experience with the California Fires 2009...
Hollywood looked like it was hit by an atomic bomb.
Can't get home.
You could actually feel the heat from the flames.
The mountain on fire at night was actually kind of beautiful.
NASA satellite view of California... burning.
Below are videos documenting my experiences...
Here is a link to a playlist on YouTube with more videos I shot during the fires.
Here's the story...
I live up Briggs Terrace. I was returning from running errands on Saturday, August 29th about 3 PM and before I even arrived home, the order was given by the police - mandatory evacuation. I was unable to drive my car to my home and was told by officers to park down the hill. A friendly motorcycle driver gave me a ride up to my place.
I piled papers, family photos and files into a neighbor's truck, then filled a backpack with other belongings. I had a bicycle ready to race down the hill if the flames got too close.
After realizing the danger was not immediate, the remaining people, about 10 of us, observed the fires from Canyonside Drive. In fact, we even kicked back with some chips and a few beers while watching the fires burn. I joked that this seemed like tailgating, but with fire -- we enjoyed a moment of levity within a very somber situation -- the seriousness of what was unfolding was as present as the smoke in the air.
The mountain seemed like a volcano with fires creeping down slowly like lava. We could feel the heat from the flames from our vantage point about 1/3 mile away. As soon as it looked like it was under control, flareups would appear in places where it seemed there was no fire -- the flames moved in a way that was unpredictable, but the wind was moving away from us at about 5 MPH and seemed to work in our favor.
After determining it would take awhile for the fire to get close, I watered my roof and set about uploading files onto the internet from a computer I knew would not survive.
We then watched the fires after dark and it became more dramatic and looked like a scene from a Michael Bay movie -- a complete disaster as the night revealed more of the lava-like flames.
We tried to avoid police who continued to announce the order to leave via bullhorns. I chose to stay and my neighbors left.
About 9:30 PM, I realized that I was the last man there but for only an hour or so when officers informed me that my car down the hill was blocking things and I had to move it. I was escorted to my vehicle by officers who implored me to leave for my own safety. The officers helped me move a box of family photos.
I have provided what news I can via my Twitter account, the internet has actually been the best and most up-to-the-minute resource for reliable information. Twitter accounts such as @abc7, @LATimesfires, @LATimescitydesk and @LANow have been very helpful.
Endless gratitude must be expressed to the brave police and firefighters. Some of the volunteer firefighters have come from as far away as Arizona and New Mexico to help us here in California. Thanks to them all.
I am donating water, food and offering whatever help I can to the firefighters.
While the fires continue, my home just avoided being destroyed. I only just now returned to a very smokey, but safe home. Others have not been so lucky, so I plan to continue to do what I can to help out.
Thanks for listening.
And before you ask, yes, I am okay... a little winded from the smoke, but okay.
Hollywood looked like it was hit by an atomic bomb.
Can't get home.
You could actually feel the heat from the flames.
The mountain on fire at night was actually kind of beautiful.
NASA satellite view of California... burning.
Below are videos documenting my experiences...
Here is a link to a playlist on YouTube with more videos I shot during the fires.
Here's the story...
I live up Briggs Terrace. I was returning from running errands on Saturday, August 29th about 3 PM and before I even arrived home, the order was given by the police - mandatory evacuation. I was unable to drive my car to my home and was told by officers to park down the hill. A friendly motorcycle driver gave me a ride up to my place.
I piled papers, family photos and files into a neighbor's truck, then filled a backpack with other belongings. I had a bicycle ready to race down the hill if the flames got too close.
After realizing the danger was not immediate, the remaining people, about 10 of us, observed the fires from Canyonside Drive. In fact, we even kicked back with some chips and a few beers while watching the fires burn. I joked that this seemed like tailgating, but with fire -- we enjoyed a moment of levity within a very somber situation -- the seriousness of what was unfolding was as present as the smoke in the air.
The mountain seemed like a volcano with fires creeping down slowly like lava. We could feel the heat from the flames from our vantage point about 1/3 mile away. As soon as it looked like it was under control, flareups would appear in places where it seemed there was no fire -- the flames moved in a way that was unpredictable, but the wind was moving away from us at about 5 MPH and seemed to work in our favor.
After determining it would take awhile for the fire to get close, I watered my roof and set about uploading files onto the internet from a computer I knew would not survive.
We then watched the fires after dark and it became more dramatic and looked like a scene from a Michael Bay movie -- a complete disaster as the night revealed more of the lava-like flames.
We tried to avoid police who continued to announce the order to leave via bullhorns. I chose to stay and my neighbors left.
About 9:30 PM, I realized that I was the last man there but for only an hour or so when officers informed me that my car down the hill was blocking things and I had to move it. I was escorted to my vehicle by officers who implored me to leave for my own safety. The officers helped me move a box of family photos.
I have provided what news I can via my Twitter account, the internet has actually been the best and most up-to-the-minute resource for reliable information. Twitter accounts such as @abc7, @LATimesfires, @LATimescitydesk and @LANow have been very helpful.
Endless gratitude must be expressed to the brave police and firefighters. Some of the volunteer firefighters have come from as far away as Arizona and New Mexico to help us here in California. Thanks to them all.
I am donating water, food and offering whatever help I can to the firefighters.
While the fires continue, my home just avoided being destroyed. I only just now returned to a very smokey, but safe home. Others have not been so lucky, so I plan to continue to do what I can to help out.
Thanks for listening.
And before you ask, yes, I am okay... a little winded from the smoke, but okay.
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