I know that many of the pictures that I have shared thus far on our blog are pictures of Ireland. That’s because of a couple of reasons:
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I don’t have many pictures from our past life. I estimate that we lost at least 10,000 pictures and multiple scrapbooks in the fire. The pictures we do have are thanks to firefighters, who found a stash and retrieved them.
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In August of 2007 (before the fire), I had the opportunity to take a fabulous trip to Ireland with my dear friend, Christin, and she gave me a CD of our trip after I lost all of mine in the fire.
So, my pictures of Ireland represent the “before the fire” period in my life plus they elicit great memories for me. So, a double-edged sword.
Fire season in Southern California runs from August through November or until the rainy season starts. Our hot, arid summer days dry out our landscapes, our hills and valleys leaving parched vegetation that turns into potential firestarters. Then, if that isn’t enough ammo for wayward sparks, our Santa Ana winds kick in every day providing our County ideal conditions for a firestorm. FYI – National Fire Prevention Week just ended. It was October 7th to October 13th of this year.
This is the 3rd fire we have had on our property in the 23 years of my marriage to Charlie and the 5th fire we have experienced. The first fire on our property occurred about 10 years ago. It was a Sunday and I was having lunch with a girlfriend. I accidentally left my phone in my car, so was totally unaware of what was going on at home. I arrived home around 6 p.m. to find Charlie extremely upset that he couldn’t reach me and still shaken up by the experience.
He was watching NASCAR races (his favorite Sunday activity) when one of his brothers called and told him our field was on fire. This brother, Justin, lives on the other side of our valley on an elevated parcel of land that allows him a spectacular view of our valley.
Somehow, word spread around our valley faster than the fire itself and farmers and farm workers descended on our property with tractors and shovels, quickly surrounding our home with a ditch creating a fire break. A Fire Bomber airplane dumped water on the fire, extinguishing it quickly. And, I missed it all.
I was so overwhelmed by the story of the kindness and generosity of our rural valley community that I decided to throw a party for them the following weekend to thank all of them. With the help of my sister-in-law, Michelle (Justin’s wife), we sent out flyers announcing a “thank you barbeque”. I bought and made the usual barbeque fare: hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and baked beans and a special cake. I decorated, set-up tables and chairs and waited for our guests to arrive.
Guests trickled in and while chatting with a new arrival on our back patio, I noticed smoke in the dry river bottom just beyond our property line. One of our guests went to investigate and came back yelling “Fire! Fire!” I ran into the house and dialed 911. In a matter of minutes, the first of about five fire trucks and engines arrived. And, about 30 minutes later, a Fire Bomber did a fly by, circling our property, flying so low over our house that I felt I could just reach up and touch one of its wings. It banked, turned and dumped its load of red fire-retardant on the raging fire. At that moment, that bomber and its cloud of red dust was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen.
Between the firefighters on foot and the Fire Bomber in the sky, they had the fire out rather quickly. But, the winds were calm that day, making their jobs easier. I asked the firefighters to join us for the barbeque that never happened (most people had gone home and others hadn’t shown up). A few grabbed a burger or hot dog, but for the most part, they were too humble to participate in the remains of the party. All they really wanted was cold water and a break.
A fire engine and crew spent the night outside our front door to monitor possible flare-ups. We later learned that both incidents, a week apart, were arson. I used to worry about this – why would anyone want to hurt us in this way? I worried about this for several years until a firefighter explained to me that the arson had nothing to do with us and wasn’t about us. Nonetheless, having fires on your property caused by arson is sobering.
Our old farmhouse – Any Way the Wind Blows
The story continues on Page 3. Click on the link at the bottom of this post.
I remember the fires very distinctly. We had just come back from our honeymoon (the wedding that adorable dress was for) and had a day or two to spend in San Diego before driving home to LA. The smoke and ash was far to thick in Carmel Mountain, so the newly combined families got together at my parent’s house in Westwood. We even sat outside and enjoyed the weather. Just hours later, around 2 am, my parents were evacuating that same house we had just been celebrating. My mom even packed a car full of our wedding gifts to save, but as they drove out of the neighborhood seeing nearly every home engulfed in flames on the neighboring street, they decided to turn back and leave a car to stay together. Thanks to the SD Firefighters, their home was saved, but we spent days not knowing the outcome.
Hi, Elizabeth: yes, indeed, it was your wedding for which I made the Princess P’s dress! I can’t even imagine how that felt, seeing all those homes in flames as you are evacuating the neighborhood. I completely understand your parents’ need to “stay together.” And, yes, many thanks to the thousands of firefighters and military personnel who were here fighting these fires with no reprieve for 10 solid days. I know there are thousands of families in San Diego County who are grateful to them to this day. Thanks for sharing your story.
I know this has been hard for you to write. I hope it has helped in the healing process. Love you! Kathy
Thanks, Kathy. As you know, our new house is quite fabulous. And, I love this new house. But, I loved the old house maybe more. It represents a lifetime for Charlie, it’s where we moved when we returned from our honeymoon, it’s where we had Easter egg hunts for our nieces and nephews, it’s where were went on long walks through corn fields and watermelon patches, it’s where we went on “treasure” hunts with nieces and nephews, and many “firsts” occurred there: our first Christmas tree, our first dog, our first Thanksgiving for family, our first party as a married couple – the list is long. It had quirks and “hidy holes”, no heat or air-conditioning, and maybe even a ghost (according to Charlie’s youngest brother, who lived their as a very small child with a big imagination). But, it was our home. And, I miss it to this day.
What a beautiful place, and I’m so sorry it’s lost, along with so much of your things within it.
I had friends who lost homes in the 2003 and the 2007 fires, and it’s a heartrending and breaking thing.
I’m glad you are beyond it, and stronger, and writing to out the incredible emotion you still must feel.
Thanks, Deb. It’s been very cathartic to write this series, but I’m still surprised that I cry, even 5 years later. Thanks for reading our blog.
I can’t wait for your next post! I live in North County… we were evacuated for days, and our house was dirty but still standing! I can’t believe it’s been 5 years. I remember it like it was yesterday…
Heather: thanks for your comments. It does seem like yesterday, doesn’t it? Thanks, too, for following the series – your support means so much to me. And, I love your site, too, and look forward to spending time there and finding some good deals!
We live in San Diego and this brings chilling memories for me. Although we evacuated our area for 3 days, we were lucky and didn’t lose our house. My 2nd child’s preschool teacher did and we rallied around her and donated furniture, gift cards, whatever we could to help her out. Every October I get a little nervous when the weather turns hot. I’m thankful for this uncommon soggy October weekend. I will definitely be reading your series.
Thanks so much, Laura, for your comments. There are so many “fire stories” in our county. Every citizen of this county was impacted in some way (and I believe we have at least 2,000,000 people in our county?). And, the ones that didn’t have losses, such as yourself, reached out in multiple ways to so many people offering support on so many levels – just like you and your family. A very heartfelt “thank you” from me for doing what you did. You will probably never fully understand the impact you had on your child’s preschool teacher’s life and your generous spirit, I’m sure, lifted her through some very dark moments.
P.S. I love your site and look forward to exploring it more!
Wow, Carole. I am already crying and the series hasn’t even really started yet. I will be keeping up with your posts and sending you my love during this time. I am proud of you for finding the strength to write about that devastating loss. Love and light.
Mary: Many thanks for following this series. Your support means the world to me. As a San Diego girl, you too know and understand the full impact of that time in all of ours lives. Thank for your support, love and mentorship. It means so much to both Tiffany and me.