OPEN THREAD: OCTOBER 2007 FIRE UPDATES

A couple updates via email:

The Spearmans from Resurrection San Marcos are watching the fires around them with bags packed. Keep them in your prayers.

The Barnums, also from Resurrection San Marcos, wrote to offer pet hostel for small to medium animals at their Pet Wash in Escondido. Their web site is: http://uwashpet.com/

From Fr. Keith Acker, Alpine
http://www.alpineanglican.com/

Greeting from Alpine!

With the wind and wildfires still burning things look good for Alpine. Alice and I were packed up ready to evacuate this morning with concerns from the “Descanso” fire. After info from the Parkers (the Rancho Bernardo clan evacuated to Descanso), I learned that this fire was actually North and West of Descanso and moving Northeast (about 3 miles from the Dexters and Arnolds). We still have the Trinity Trailer and the car packed and we’ll remain on alert through the night.

After we were in the clear this morning I switched to Sheriff’s Chaplain and making my way eventually East of the south (Harris) fire to work with the Campo Sub-station and the Campo evacuation site. Most of these folks were evacuated from Potero not far from Tecate on the Mexican border. A good number expecting that they lost their homes to the fire and some neighbors of the man who died in the fire and his 14 year old is severely burned. One of the deputies had his house saved by the firefighters. And I was also present when one of the evacuated learned his house which had been reported as burned was told it was saved.

Folks were helping out one another and very pleased to know that we had people praying for them and the firefighters and deputies. Volunteers were bringing food and offering places to stay. There were about 100 cots set up at the site—most of which were taken.

The wind is picking up more strongly as we approach late afternoon. I’ll try to keep you posted. At present all of Blessed Trinity is safe to the best of our knowledge. No word from our Anglican brothers and sisters at Sts. TnT in Poway and Resurrection in San Marcos .

We just heard that Harbision Canyon & Crest are receiving reverse 911 warnings as of 4pm. Perhaps as a precaution for the northern (Witch) fire moving somewhat south along Hwy67 (67 & Mapleview are closed). We’ll have to wait and see.

Please continue your prayers for those in harm’s way!
In Christ, Fr. Keith

More from Fr. Keith in Alpine area where the Harris Fire is burning

Evacuations in San Diego County are close to half a million people.

Winds are still blowing in Alpine as we approach sunrise. The fire north of El Capitan Reservoir is not an immediate threat with the winds blowing west. If the winds drop off, the flames will start to follow the fuel and the path of the Ceder fire 5 years ago toward the southern end of El Capitan Reservoir at the head of Peutz Valley on the east side and Chocolate Summit on the west side. This would be West Alpine area, but winds are expected to continue in the mountains/foothills area, so this is not an immediate concern.

Flames from the San Miquel (north part of the Harris fire—south east county) has been visible since early morning hours from our second story. This part of the fire is headed to Spring Valley . Muriel (at Cottonwood/Rancho San Diego) and Greg, Diane, & Nelson in Rancho San Diego in the area NW of that fire; I’ll give them a call in the next hour.

I’ve had no word from our fellow Anglicans up at St. John’s in Fallbrook had a major fire with over 100 homes having been lost. In the South Bay .

Please continue to pray. We’ve had only one person killed in the first hours of the Harris Fire ( East County at Potero). I was with the neighbors yesterday.

In Christ,
Fr. Keith

From Fr. Russell Martin (TnT), via email:
St Timothy's and St. Titus
http://www.st-tnt.org/

Dear Friends in Christ,

We greet you in the precious and holy name of our Savior Jesus Christ! As many of you know, there are a number of wildfires raging across San Diego County. At present nearly (1/2) half to (2/3) two-thirds of our congregation, Sts. Timothy and Titus, have either been evacuated from their homes or are at risk for the same if the winds change suddenly. Praise be to God our loving Father, that as it stands now, no one within our parish family has been hurt and of as yet I have not heard of anyone having lost their home. Likewise, being that we do not own a building we have nothing to fear there--thank God!. I would appreciate your prayers for all of the T&T family as we face these incredible circumstances not without hope but in the very presence and grace of God. Please feel free to call me if you have questions or concerns I am available via cell phone 24 hours a day. That number is 619-302-0621.

We must always remember that no matter what we face, as Christians, we never face it alone but in the loving presence of our sovereign Lord, so that not even the fires of enemy will prevail against us. And we will continue to praise His mighty name in all circumstances! May the Lord bless and keep each of you in His most tender care and mercy.

Your Brother & Servant in Christ,
Russell+

Just posted:
Google Map of sandiegoanglicans.com Churches and Ministries
See it on front page of site or go directly to: http://sandiegoanglicans.com/cms/churches/map
Displays locations of all churches listed on this site. Does not display fire information.

From Fr. Keith Acker, Alpine Anglican, where media coverage isn't as thorough as in some areas.
approx. 9:45 am Wed. See links for very detailed maps of his area.
----------------------
Good Morning!

Santa Ana winds picked up in Alpine about 7am this morning at gust to about 20-25mph. The El Capitan Reservoir still has some hot spots. The west side near the dam hasn’t moved. On the east side the 5am map also showed active fires directly across from the west hot spot (slightly larger area) and then more on the northern shore of the east side bordering the fire front in the Julian path. There is no visible plumb from any of these hot spots or even the Julian front (distance?) from my second story view. Alpine is just off the edge SE from El Capitan (lower right).
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071024/images/witch.pdf

The Second area of concern in the Alpine vicinity is the Lyons Valley , a branch from the Jamul part of the Harris fire directly south of Alpine a couple of miles. Very little news from the media. I’m just now seeing the new burn area on the south face above Soane Canyon/Loveland Reservoir a couple of miles south of South Alpine. This seems to be an off shoot of the main part of the Lyons Valley branch.

You can see it more closely if you follow the link. It show both Lyons Valley & Jamul branches.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071024/images/harris.pdf

The Third area of concern is the Jamul branch of the Harris fire. I got an email from Karen just north of 94 and Cottonwood . An 9am tv report said the winds had shifted there to on shore flow and the fire was burning back on burned area. This is over the mountain from Karen and Muriel to the southeast. So they are still on standby.