California Fires...

Many of you have been asking about the California fires and how close we are to them.

Here is a map to show you... you have to zoom it in yourself for Redlands to come up. We are to the east of LA, and slightly northeast of Riverside. We are to the south of the San Bernardino fires.




As you can see, we aren't immediately close to the San Bernardino Mountain fires that are affecting Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. The base of the fire in the mountains is around Arrowhead Springs, which is about 15 miles from us. Once it got dark, I could see the flames from the little park across from our backyard.

Here are some of the minimal affects it has had on us:

It's smoggy and smelly. It just looks gray everywhere and smells like fire all day. Looking to the North of us... where we can usually see the San Bernardino mountains there is nothing but smoke. You can see some small particles in the air.

Air quality warnings. There are warnings about the air quality and doing outdoor activities. Michael's preschool stayed indoors today, where they usually spend about 1/2 the day outside. I've been keeping the windows closed and recirculating the air.

School closings. Our school district has canceled school tomorrow. Our missionaries are also staying indoors. The Highland missionaries have been moved temporarily.

The conditions in Southern California make fires a major concern at this time of the year. There is only 3% humidity in the air. Temperatures are in the 80s-90s. And worst of all, the Santa Anna winds (which are seasonal, started last weekend and will last for several weeks) are strong and unpredictable. On Sunday, the winds here were consistently about 30 mph with gusts of 40-50 mph. Most of these fires have separate causes like a spark from a telephone line, spark from a construction zone, and even a case of suspected arson.

The scary thing is that, in these conditions a fire could happen anywhere and spread fast.

So I'm not one to worry a ton about things I can't control. But I do think it is prudent to stay updated and take some precautions. I spent tonight doing a MUCH needed consolidation/organization of our files and records. I'm putting those "must take" things in a central place in our spare room. The gas tanks are full, and we have a standing reservation in Spanish Fork, if needed (and/or wanted!... it would be fun to visit...). And I might just keep up with my laundry this week. I think it's just good to think about these things.

But what I'm really thinking is that we have nothing to worry about when you consider how many people are devastated and/or displaced.

We are keeping posted on my Aunt Sarah and Uncle Eric Peterson in Fallbrook who have been evacuated from their home.

Jan and Christine's home is next to theirs... but they are living in Rexburg for the winter. Eric is the bishop of his ward, and he has been helping provide and protect his ward members. Some of the homes in their ward have been burned down, but Sarah says that miracles are being witnessed as well. They expect to be out of their home for at least another 2 days.

We are keeping posted on our good friends, the Rowleys (Emily and Caleb are Michaels bestest friends... and we're pretty fond of Missy and Brian, too... ;) ), who live in Lake Arrowhead where 400+ homes have been lost.

They left Monday morning, packing up a (very) few essentials... not thinking they needed to be too worried. They are staying with his parents, realizing that it is more serious than they imagined. It might be weeks before they can return. They are hoping for the best.

So keep us Southern Californians in your prayers. We love you all!