California is on fire. The current fires in Northern California are just horrific. The speed at which the fires hit and the total devastation left behind is worse than any other fire I can recall.
Heather and I live 70 miles south of the nearest fire and even at that distance we can smell the wood smoke. The pictures on the news are unimaginable. One friend posted on Facebook that his brother lost his home. Another friend is watching her childhood neighborhood under threat and friends and family suffering.
Looking at the maps I realized that a woodworking friend of mine lives near a fire (see Fire Maps for all the fires burning). It was hard to tell from the maps whether or not his home was destroyed. I was relieved to get an answer to my email to him. He is safe in a motel and the fire stopped a couple of miles from his home. His hoping to be allowed to return on Friday.
As of this writing the death toll stands at 15, with hundreds missing, and at least 2,000 homes destroyed. Not just burnt, but reduced to ash with nothing remaining. Some people escaped with just the clothes they were wearing – that’s how fast this hit.
And it hit areas I thought would never burn.
Sadly, this news will get worse before the week is out and containment of the fires is a long way off.
If you have a extra prayer or a few dollars for the Red Cross, the folks up there could use it.
Peace,
Andrew
Andrew's View of the Week 
Andrew, I am so sorry about the heartache this fire is causing. I hope that when the ashes are cleared your friends will find their home in livable condition.
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The fire stopped two miles from their home and they are fine with no damage.
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I am glad it did not get to you. It is sad what happened to all those people. If a fire is coming your way, do not wait to see if it gets to you. The people that died did not feel the need to leave right away.
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It was a sad and difficult time for many.
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This is beyond anything we’ve ever witnessed, Andrew. We’re in Marin County, about an hour south of the fires. The air has been smokey, but I can’t imagine living through it in the heart of the flames. As of today, the death toll is 31, and still rising as more people are found.
There is good out of this horrific tragedy, the first responders doing their terrific job to get people to safety, and simply people within the community helping where they can. We donated, hoping to do our part. We’ve been following the fires on the news and have become emotional for all those affected in one way or another. Some images of people who perished have haunted us in our sleep. There just are no words. It’s so unreal.
I just pray the weather predictions for this upcoming weekend are incorrect, just like last night. Saying more prayers for everyone up north…
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I’ve lived here in the Bay Area my whole life and have never seen anything so bad. The speed, the devastation, the homes destroyed, and lives lost is beyond understanding. The firefighters and other emergency responders just amaze me with their dedication to the task. Clean up and rebuilding will take years. We’ve been praying for the folks up there.
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I heard whole towns have been burnt down to cinders up there in wine country. It is so sad. That is the most beautiful part of California–in my opinion. My prayers are on their way.
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Last count had 3,500 buildings burnt. They are now evacuating whole towns. It is one of my favorite areas in California, and one of the most prone to fires. I knew this year would have a bad fire year, but never thought it could get this bad.
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A horrible situation. I am so sorry.
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It is horrible, so many people have lost so much.
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Stay safe Andrew…this is so tragic.
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It is tragic, and the end is now where near.
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This is so sad. I remember the last time this happened down here in So Cal. Fires were springing up everywhere, cutting off our escape routes should we need to evacuate, as many of our friends did. I’d never been more stressed in my life. Yes, these fires are horrific. Crazy that while one side of our country is drowning, the other is burning.
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It is crazy and horrific. It is just beyond comprehension.
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I was going to hit the like button, but that seems inappropriate.
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wordpress needs a sad button.
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I can like that. It’s true.
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Everyone is in our prayers. Are you worried it will get close to you?
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Physically we’re well away and there is no chance those fires will come down here, but so many people I know live in the affected areas.
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Praying for safety for all. I understand that helpless feeling when loved ones are suffering.
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I wondered where you were in relation to the fires. Glad you’re safe. Such beautiful areas, too. It’s heartbreaking.
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When I think of what California is and looks like, I think of that area. We’re far enough south not to be directly affected, but so many of our friends and family are being affected. Sad times here.
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Prayer for all in CA who have been impacted by these horrible fires. I have an long time friend who lives in Windsor I’m still waiting to hear about. Yikes! And continued prayers those in Houston, FL, VI and Puerto Rico who lost everything but have dropped off the radar because they are “old” stories…
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So many disasters this year. Hope you hear from your friend soon. Windsor would be north of the Tubbs fire which looks like it is mostly moving east. Likely they’re okay, but power and comm lines are out all over the region – spotty coverage at best.
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I hope they are able to contain the fire. It’s just horrible and the amount of people who are missing is devastating.
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These fires are bad and so far there is no containment. Likely we won’t see that until the weekend. The numbers they are reporting now are just the start. There are many areas where they haven’t even started searching yet. I fear for the folks up there.
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As a fellow Californian, this is certainly very troubling. My heart goes out to everyone affected. I wish you luck, and I’m confident you and your family will remain safe and sound.
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Troubling is a good way to describe it. That it hit homes so quickly after starting is the most troubling. There just wasn’t any warning in some places.
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Yeah that’s crazy. Last week, a “small” fire broke out about 3 miles from our home. Planes were flying over our house, then dumping water onto the inferno. Best of luck. I sincerely mean that.
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Crazy is a good word.
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I live in Napa, Andrew, and what you write is sadly spot on. The fire is a devouring monster. So far my husband and I and our family are out of its clutches … except the smoke is horrendous. No one ventures out unless it’s necessity. We’re holding our breath (yes, I. know) hoping today’s winds are no problem, for containment is negligible … despite heroic efforts. I appreciate your writing about it. Smiles …
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Stay safe up there. Lists of places affected just grows by the hour. The horrible thing was it started so close to cities and gave so little warning. Doubt we’ll see much containment until this weekend. With so many fires, resources are spread thin.
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It’s really terrible, and that word hardly covers it. We are headed to Oakland tomorrow for a few days to be with our family and new grandson, and I know they’re also experiencing some affect from the smoke. It’s a little peculiar, but I never felt vulnerable to a “wildfire” before because we don’t live in the hills or in areas that typically burn. Watching this fire is the first time I’ve seriously thought of how I suppose we are ALL vulnerable. I’ve lived here my entire lifetime and never really considered that. We have friends in Napa and I am hoping to hear they weren’t directly touched, but I think everyone in that region is impacted. Other than the Oakland Hills fire I’ve never seen one “act” quite like this. They’re going to need a LOT of financial support. Thanks for the Red Cross reminder. As an agency they are surely spread thin right now. Hope your friends are safe, too, Andrew. And maybe buy a breathing mask!
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The fact that this fire hit houses within city limits within hours of starting is causing many of us to feel vulnerable. Wild fires normally don’t do that without warning. Scary. And I checked on masks – turns out the ones I use in the shop work for smoke.
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We’ve had our share of big fires in Colorado, but nothing to compare with what’s happening in Calif. right now. It’s almost beyond imagination. My deepest sympathy to all.
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I’ve seen the fire reports from your area. Those were bad enough. Can’t wrap my head around what is happening here.
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God bless those fire fighters. Hope there are some Aussies putting their experience to use and helping out. Fire is a useful servant, but a terrible master.
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There might be. I saw a report earlier in the year that at least one of pilots flying air tankers was a Aussie lady. As the reporter said, “How cool is that?”
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The news is still saying ‘uncontained’. My sister was evacuated from Grass Valley. What a horrid mess for everyone up there.
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Up until yesterday morning, the fire crews weren’t even fighting the fires – they were focusing on evacuations only. By afternoon fire crews started coming in to fight the fires. Grass Valley, hwy 49 areas are getting hit to. I even see a few fires in the south land.
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I’m glad you’re safely out of reach Andrew. May the death toll not get any worse and may the rains come to help put these fires out.
Hugs
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We’re hoping it doesn’t get any worse.
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It is devastating news. So much sadness and fear.
I pray for strength for all who lost so much.
miriam
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It is devastating, each the reports are just worse.
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Prayers and wishes for the fires to be extinguished.
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It’s going to be awhile before the firefights gain control.
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