As I write this, it seems that Los Angeles is burning to the ground around me. it began late this morning. Mr. Twitchy and I were driving to our local Costco when we saw a billow of smoke to the northwest of where we were. We knew it wasn’t just a cloud. The smoke from fires in LA are tinged with a color quite different than clouds. And the direction of the cloud of smoke clearly pointed to the Pacific Palisades as its origin. The Palisades (as it is known) is a quiet enclave on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. It is characterized by large, beautifully landscaped homes, with a small town feel in the central business area full of boutiques. It is home to many Hollywood stars and industry big shots, seeking a quieter lifestyle. And it is also home to a lot of people we know.
As of 11:00 PM, the conflagration had consumed more than 2900 acres of land and 100s of homes. Over 30,000 have been evacuated so far. The fire has grown so quickly because of gusty winds that carry embers far from their origins combined with humidity levels dropping to less than 10%.
So far, a number of our friends have been evacuated, some more than once as the area of the fire has spread. Many do not know if they will have a home to go back to.
What do you take with you?
“If you have to leave what would you take with you?” Mr. Twitchy asked.
Start with your medications. Grab all of them, put them in a bag that you will have with you all of the time. Maybe a backpack that you can put many necessities in. The worst-case scenario would be that you left home before the fire started and couldn’t go back home to get your meds. Make sure you have a list of what you take and get to a pharmacy as soon as possible to fill your prescription. Any pharmacy you go to should be able to access your prescription records from your health insurance carrier.
Your drivers license, ID, Passport, credit cards, insurance cards and anything else you may need for identification.
Your computer or tablet. If you are like me, so much of what you need is on your computer. Don’t forget the power cords.
Your pets – make sure you take them wherever you go. Don’t assume they can fend for themselves in a raging fire.
What do you leave?
If you know you have unlimited time, take anything that is special to you. Otherwise, take only what is necessary and leave the rest. Photo albums, family heirlooms, jewelry and other valuables may be important to you, but are they worth risking your life to retrieve them?
This morning we learned that there are now 4 fires raging in the Los Angeles area. The winds have calmed down, but the danger has not diminished. My heart goes out to each of you who has lost your home or been evacuated with nowhere to go.
Most importantly, please stay safe.
Leave a Reply