Saturday, November 15, 2008

Smoky Saturday

We're used to regular bouts of smoke and ash during the fall in Southern California, due to annual wildfires stoked by the Santa Ana Winds, but today is quite a bit worse than usual.

Here's one of the views from our neighborhood in North Orange County:


The fires are not close -- we're in no danger -- but the smoke is quite oppressive. When you look out the window you can see ash fluttering to the ground like snowflakes.

Needless to say, all our kids' AYSO soccer games were cancelled for the day. It's pretty smoky even inside our house.

Update: Here's a shot taken around 2:45 p.m. The overcast sky is a combination of brown and orange. It's dark enough we had to turn on the lights inside the house despite the early hour.


My husband had a trombone gig scheduled tonight in Claremont which was just called off due to the fires.

18 Comments:

Blogger Rick Moore said...

I guess I'm lucky I live in South County - we're not getting any of the smoke or ash here.

2:02 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Interesting to hear you're not being affected in So. Co. -- guess the wind's pushing it all toward us in No. Co.! It's getting even worse since I took the photo...

Best wishes,
Laura

2:13 PM  
Blogger Irene said...

Well, the wind is pushing the smoke over where we live in Lakewood and to the south in Long Beach. Very difficult to breath outside and ash is falling. We have the cats in the house. Happy to hear you are in no danger as I was thinking of you.

4:41 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thanks, Irene!

I hate even opening the door to let the dogs out into the backyard, it's really nasty out there. (BTW I loved the birthday photos of your cats on your blog!) Take care!

Best wishes,
Laura

5:05 PM  
Blogger Dana said...

Hopefully, the winds will die down soon and give the firefighters a break. Surprisingly in my corner of So. Cal, its been remarkably clear. Take care.

5:40 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Great to hear from you, Dana! (I am woefully behind in my email correspondence!) So glad to know that all is fine in the Inland Empire.

TTYS,
Laura

5:42 PM  
Blogger Missy said...

Wow! Do you wear masks when you go out? Did this fire actually start on Westmont's campus or just spread there? I know two alumni of Westmont...they both tried to get me to go there, but that was a long time ago.

Stay safe!

Missy http://missyisms.typepad.com

6:07 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

I think the fire spread to Westmont but am not certain...there are actually several fires this weekend, including the fire near Westmont, another in Sylmar in L.A. Co., and the smoke seen here is caused by 2 or 3 fires here in Orange County. Unfortunately it's typical for several fires to pop up at once when we have the Santa Ana Winds -- it's hot, dry and windy, a bad combination.

I was really sad to read about all the damage at Westmont. Sounds like their students had a scary time waiting it out in the fireproof gym.

No masks here. :)

Best wishes,
Laura

6:14 PM  
Blogger Don said...

I live in the San Fernando Valley. When I got up this morning it was smoky. Then I went to the races in Pomona and the fire broke out down in Corona. We could see it from the track. Coming home it was very smoky all the way into my friend's house in Hawthorne in the South Bay. The I drove home to the Valley again and it's still bad here.

7:05 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thanks for the report from your travels today, Don!

It sounds like it was a good thing my husband's band didn't attempt to travel the freeways out to Claremont tonight.

Best wishes,
Laura

7:17 PM  
Blogger J.C. Loophole said...

Good to hear you guys are OK. Our prayers are with everyone out there. Stay safe.

8:37 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thanks, J.C.

It's so sad to see the footage of the burned homes, college buildings, etc. There are a lot of hurting people in So. CA tonight.

Best wishes,
Laura

8:51 PM  
Blogger Ms.Daisy said...

Laura I am so glad you are not in any danger in your area but I know there are lots of folks who are not so lucky. Our prayers are with you all...
I remember living in South Florida in the 70's and the ash drifting onto our cars from the Everglades fires...scary!

~Jean

9:20 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thank you, Jean!

Best wishes,
Laura

9:44 PM  
Blogger mel said...

While we have terrorists' rockets raining on us daily, from 8,000 miles away from you, I am reading the news about the terrible fires raging in your neck of the woods.

I pray for your safety and well-being, and I hope you will not be affected by the danger.

1:31 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thank you very much, Mel, and I send you good wishes as well.

Best wishes,
Laura

8:29 AM  
Blogger Mrs. Happy Housewife said...

I was thinking of you, Laura, when I heard of the fires. Your photo reminds me of a while back when we in FL had so many fires. I'm glad you aren't in danger, but I'm still praying for ya'll.

4:43 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thank you so much, Mrs. HH. It's greatly appreciated!

Best wishes,
Laura

8:29 AM  

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