Are you LX Brothers and Sisters in SoCal Ok?

**bubbamagnum** · 10-23-2007, 06:05 PM

Just checking in to see how you all fairing with the fires...Be safe!!

**blackmagnum06** · 10-23-2007, 06:09 PM

the air quality sucks! ash falling everywhere. i heard that some people lost everything. that sucks!

**TORREDAYTONA** · 10-23-2007, 06:52 PM

yep here next to magic mountain ,im safe i live in the valley but im sad for every one who lost everything

**littlejohn** · 10-24-2007, 12:06 PM

I woke up at 0400 yesterday morning because all my neighbors were outside looking East at Mt. Miguel burning. We got lucky when the winds changed and the water wagons started flying. They pretty much killed the advance of the Harris Fire. We feel very fortunate.

**catzcradle** · 10-24-2007, 12:52 PM

we're in the disney bubble of protection, but Wifes brother has been evacuated, and yeah, the air is just plain nasty

**Ruff n Tuff RT** · 10-24-2007, 12:56 PM

Its Nice And Warm For Fresh Paint To Dry Fast....
Now You Can Actually Call It ''ash Wednsday''...........
I Heard Lots Of People Fainted Because Of The Smoke

**ZBLCPRL** · 10-25-2007, 10:39 AM

Yea Smoke and the ash is bad. But that is nothing to those that lost every thing. God be with them.

**hemiwagn** · 10-25-2007, 11:00 AM

Glad somebody started a thread on this.

I was wondering how everyone was doing.

I don't think I would do very well in that situation--but you SoCal guys and gals just get on with things -- amazing!

Hope everyone and their families are safe. Prayers for those that lost their homes.

**cbutler32** · 10-25-2007, 04:17 PM

hey all,
here is what sent out to my fellow co-workers around the country on 10-23-07:

All,
this is to inform you of our specific status', Tommy and I are unaware of what is happening to the rest of the San Diego team as we are really out of contact with the others.
both Tommy and my families have been evacuated as of yesterday in the early morning hours in the face of San Diego's worst fire.
anywhere from 5-9 fires going uncontrolled in San Diego County (depending on who you asked), over 1,000 homes destroyed with over 200,000 + acres burned, most which are still burning out of control.
We do not have access to the internet for work other than this one time I am logging on to inform you all. And that I am typing this from a Starbucks wi-fi hotspot to get everyone informed of what is going on here and to give you our status.
As of a 12:30pm pst official announcement today, we for sure will be unable to return to our homes at the earliest, and this is a STRONG maybe per fire officials, at least late tomorrow. That will be based on if the fires die down, the winds, etc. etc. The officials just do not know how long it could be. They said they will revisit this time tomorrow as this afternoon and tonight will be a crucial time with all of the unpredictability the firefighters are facing. As there is a very good chance of two of the fires coming together and then for me at least being evacuated again. As I am at my parents house in Encinitas. So most likely Thursday and as late as Friday.
Tommy and his family got out early yesterday morning around 5:30am in the face of the fire that had jumped the 15 fwy. and entered his housing development. They are safe in the Clairemont area. They did not have a lot of time, for when I called at 5:00am to notify him, waking his wife who had answered the phone, he could be heard in the background saying "honey we need to go now". They are numerous homes the Rancho Bernardo area that have been destroyed. Tommy's house and his immediate block of 12-16 homes looks like they might have been spared. As he has received a verbal confirmation of this, but has not seen with his own eyes. The city council person for his area will be notifying the area homeowners via his city website after the officials toured the area this morning. One block in every direction from his house from what we have been able to discern is that there are destroyed homes. Let's hope this info is correct.
My status is one of unknown. We have received conflicting reports. One moment someone says nothing has burned in our area, then the next moment the development next to us is being mandatorily evacuated. The one thing we have going for us that it is in an area that is devoid of large swaths of "old growth" shrubs or trees - it is pretty much low vegetation. The areas that border it though are the areas that present the biggest problems with one in particular that has 80-90 year old growth on it. So we'll see how it plays out. My family and I got out around 6:30-7am, I am not even sure what time it actually was because of loading cars, kids, the dog, making sure you grab every keepsake that you really don't want to lose. you realize very quickly what is important and what is not, what is truly valuable and what is just an object and not worth true "value". We evacuated west/ northwest of our area to my parents in Encinitas. Which now as i type this could face its own mandatory evacuation later today or earlier tonight if the fire gets into a canyon just east of us.
I type this for several reasons.
One, to inform you all of our status.
And two, hug your loved ones and realize how precious life is.
Tommy and I both want to thank each and everyone of you that have contacted us during our trying times here with the fires.
We know that each and everyone of you have us in your thoughts as well.
Thanks all.
Please forward on to anyone you think should receive this as I know I have missed alot of people that we interact with here at Ryder on a daily or weekly basis.

this was the one from this morning:
Hey all,
thanks for the support, kind words and just the overall knowing that we have true friends as co-workers.
Tommy - still displaced as of this morning, I did pass along his area at around 6:45am norhtbound on the 15 fwy. and they might be letting residents in this morning though (gas lines, unsafe structures, etc.) So once I hear that his house is intact offically, as we have been relying on news reports and word of mouth, we or I will pass on.
Chris - back in my house as of last night, completely spent - emotionally and physically. The house is ok and my immediate area. Debris and ash everywhere to clean up. The fire burned to 1/4 or 1/2 mile from my house and neighborhood (depends on who you ask). The firefighters made a stand Monday night from what I have found out on a ridgeline and stopped it just below them. If it came over this ridgeline, who knows what would have happened. Bottom line, the house and family are ok. Almost had to evacuate again on Wed. from my parents house in Encinitas which was in the line of fire from another segment from the fire that affected Tommy and I, but that one was knocked down late wed. night/thur. morning. One sad note for my immediate family - we had to put our dog down yesterday morning. He was having some issues before all this started and the fires elavated his situation. 11 year old chocolate lab named Bailey. The wife is taking that one very hard and just added to the emotional stress we have been under. We'll miss him.
Tommy and I cannot thank each and everyone of you enough for your support. That is what makes Ryder so special, the support, cameradierie and team mentality is one of the reasons I came back to this company. It is huge is size, but small and tight in togetherness. Thank you for making this as bearable as possible under the circumstances for our families.
We truly appreciate it.
I will be in the office in Escondido this morning processing a lease package and then returning to my family and house later today.
I will be available by phone this morning unitl the package is sent off and then by cell.
Once again, thank you everyone.
Sincerely,
Chris
cbutler32

**GoofyTimL** · 10-25-2007, 04:29 PM

WOW Chris.... just WOW!

**Batman** · 10-25-2007, 04:48 PM

I've had 13 other people (family and friends) living in my house since Monday. All but four have went home. My cousin, his wife and their two kids are still at my house and we don't know if their house is up or down. They live in Rancho Bernardo. It's tuff every day above ground is a blessing.

**SDMagnumRT** · 10-25-2007, 04:58 PM

I am right on the edge of the big fire down south in Chula Vista...I feel horrible for all the people who had to evacuate...we lucked out. The air sucks too, I ride my motorcycle to work and I smell like a bonfire and have ash everywhere. My car had about 1/2" of ash on it Tuesday

**SDMagnumRT** · 10-25-2007, 08:33 PM

Here are some pics from Monday at 2 PM

**LUVMYRT** · 10-25-2007, 09:49 PM

WOW!! Hope every one is OK down there. Can't imagine what it must be like to have to up and leave like that and then not knowing if you home is still standing.