I'm in La.....Louisiana, Gene.....appreciate the thought
Dave on the bayou would probably cause less confusion!
I hope everyones ok too, how is it out there now are they starting to get them under control? We got rain here today, hope you guys get some soon to help out.
thanks for the thoughts Gene and Dave. I am doing ok. Just lots of smoke and ashes floating around. haven't been outside the house more than 10 minutes during the past 3 days.
I have wondered about Chris, he is down in the SD area, Carlsbad and such, it is much worse down there than OC where I am. I think Ken H is in Irvine area, have wondered how close he is to it. The smoke was worse today I think the wind direction changed.
platscha wrote:
I have wondered about Chris, he is down in the SD area, Carlsbad and such, it is much worse down there than OC where I am. I think Ken H is in Irvine area, have wondered how close he is to it. The smoke was worse today I think the wind direction changed.
You're right. I haven't heard much from Chris and/or Vic either. Johnny Bravo is in LA.
Hope everyone is making out OK.
I just looked at the report of destroyed homes in Rancho Bernardo-- some just two blocks from our former home. It was not on the list of those destroyed.
Scary stuff.
We're cool, and thanks much for asking. Bird and wildlife shooting has been pretty much out of the question for the time being. Getting places is hell, and the smoke and haze kills it even in the non-fire areas. Chris just sent me some images from down San Diego way--Hey Chris--POST THEM.
The sky is something some of us have seen once in a lifetime, and we hope ya'all never have to see one like it--ever.
Should the fires approach my downtown LA crib, I intend to set backfires using Ken's Nikon equipment. So I gotta plan.
I've spoken to Chris, and he's fine, and he's spoken to Vic, and he's fine.
Glad you started this thread, Gene. I was wondering the same thing and hoping everyone was OK. Looks like a scary situation from the news reports. Best wishes to all of you Southern California FM'ers.
So far so good but it was way too close.
All this images were taken from my driveway on sunday around 3pm just before we were evacuated.
The last two images are of burned houses in the same block I live.
Total of 25 houses burned.
Although I live in Irvine, it is in the center portion. The hills on the outskirts are the fire affected areas. I am doinf fine, and I believe that all the local FM shooters that I'm personally acquainted with are fine.
The ever present ashes and smell of smoke over the past week has been quite bothersome. The color of the sky at dawn and sunset has been a real sight.
- Ken
I work In Sata Clarita, a lot of the Folks here at work were evacuated, these fires always seem to flare up when the winds start to blow, I guess these guys lighting them get more bang for the match.
It really sucks to see so much devestation, I can't seem to bring myself to photographing it, too many displaced lives, it's a very sad situation.
Thanks so much for asking that was very thoughtful of you.
I'm so glad to hear that our forum members are doing OK. I sort of asked John about it when replying to one of his replies to a post of mine, though admittedly that wasn't a very effective way to find out.
It's been on my mind a lot lately. I have in-laws in Rancho Bernardo, and that was hit hard. This family was already slammed with the worst kind of tragedy earlier this summer so we have been fervently hoping that their home might escape. So far, I think that it has, but only barely. From the data we've seen, homes less than 1 block away have been burned down.
Thank you all for your heart felt concerns. We are ok here. We lost our awesome father-in-law last week, so this is a tough time for sure with the fires and uncertainty with my mother-in-law being evacuated from the fires on top of her loss. The smoke and ash has been beyond belief, but nothing compared to those whos homes have gone up in smoke and ash. I am amazed at the kindness and resilience of the people who have suffered through these fires and the people who have pitched in to aid them. It is simply humans at their finest, transcending political and cultural borders to join in hope and continuity. Thank you, Gene and all others for your thoughts and prayers.
Chris
. Don't know what I was thinking. I knew that from your photos. 
