I arrived home and the fires STILL are lapping at my door!

FrattLaw · October 27, 2003 12:47AM

These fires must be something! I'm stuck in Oakland, California due to the shut down of the SoCal airports and I can't get home. Apparently the Simi Valley fire is only a couple of miles from my door and I can't get good updates here in Oakland.

If anyone can post some info as to the exact location of the Simi Valley fire, please do my wife and I are kinda nervous about coming home to find our house on fire. We are going to try to get on a flight this afternoon and get home but we are basically in the dark with where and how the fire is heading in Simi Valley.

Thanks in anticipation!

Michael

MacCoin · October 27, 2003 12:49AM

get your love ones and coin and get the hell out of there.

Placid · October 27, 2003 12:51AM

Yes screw the house it's insured.

nucklehead · October 27, 2003 12:54AM

Mike,the 118 freeway is closed and everything south of it is still ok.

Woodwind · October 27, 2003 12:55AM

Michael,

Hope this link answers your questions. Good luck, and I'll pray that your house is not affected.

Link

jjroll · October 27, 2003 12:57AM

Hopefully all the coins are in a safe place, like an insured saftey deposit box....

FrattLaw · October 27, 2003 1:02AM

Woodwind -- thanks I hadn't heard that yet. I guess the wind changed direction and know the fire is heading south. I'm about 2-3 east of where it was last night. I glad, but I feel sorry for the people in Bell Canyon, those are multimillion dollar homes its heading towards.

Nuck -- I know the 118 is closed right near my house and I'm north of the 118. I just don't know what's happening exactly.

Thanks again everyone,
Michael

WWW · October 27, 2003 1:02AM

National Interagency Fire Center
The link gives a phone number to call for general fire information and there are other links at the bottom of the page that list fire maps of the area.

mgoodm3 · October 27, 2003 1:08AM

know how you guys feel. I had a fire within a half mile of my house this summer. I could see the fire from the start out my office window and could just watch it get worse and worse as it headed toward my neighborhood. Not fun. The weather down there is supposed to improve tomorrow afternoon. Good luck.

kranky · October 27, 2003 2:29AM

Hope it all works out well, Michael.

agentjim007 · October 27, 2003 2:52AM

Ate a burrito last night and fire is lapping at my backdoor also....got to go.

jbsteven · October 27, 2003 2:54AM

I mean this in a lighthearted way

News Flash:

Man is lifted by helicopter at the last moment as he narrowly escapes harms way. the helicopter barely had enough power to lift the man and his large suitcase he had strapped to himself that he said he could not part with.. All are safe and out of harms way!

Bochiman · October 27, 2003 4:32AM

My first thought is for the safety of you (and other people) and your animals if you have any.
My next thought is that the houses are generally insured...it is the pictures (printed/digital) that can't be replaced that I feel bad for people for (memories fade after awhile, but photos help bring them back).....TVs, etc, can all be easily replaced.

Then, for numismatic interests, I wonder......
We have coins, many of us slab them to authenticate and preserve them. We even put them in plastic boxes to store and preserve them (and some, like me, put them in safes and safety deposit boxes).
So, if the fires hit, and hit hot enough, do you just figure to kiss your coins goodbye? Would it be better for raw coins that may be able to have soot, ashes, etc, removed (can that be safely removed? I don't know), or would it be better to have them slabbed with the plastics?
I would think that if the slab melted on the coin, the coin would be practically worthless.

Due to these fires, will people lose not only their houses and stuff that we expect, but also years of numismatic history?

Placid · October 27, 2003 4:47AM

Is pcgs open today?

Woodwind · October 27, 2003 5:11AM

<< <i>Is pcgs open today? >>

I would assume so. Newport Beach is far from any immediate fire danger.

Placid · October 27, 2003 5:18AM

Thats good! I hope the employees live near pcgs.

baccaruda · October 27, 2003 5:47AM

I glad, but I feel sorry for the people in Bell Canyon, those are multimillion dollar homes its heading towards.

You wouldn't feel sorry if those were poor people's homes it was heading towards?

clackamas · October 27, 2003 5:49AM

I hope they catch the SOB who started these fires. My family has been in the Forest Fire business for nearly 40 years, fires like these are so dangerous it makes the hair on my neck stand up. These are the types of urban interfaces the "Healthy Forest Initiative" should concentrate on, not back country roadless areas. People get killed in these fires - stay safe.

Jody526 · October 27, 2003 6:25AM

Frattlaw,
In 1968, my family lost everything in a house fire. Only two years after loosing my father, I was an eight year old boy with nothing but the clothes on my back.
Material possesions can be replaced. Don't put it off. Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you today.
It is my sincere hope and prayer that all is well with you and your's.

baccaruda · October 27, 2003 6:53AM

Do they have any idea who started it?

onlyroosies · October 27, 2003 6:54AM

I live in Alpine in the county of San Diego. Its a disaster down here. We were evacuated early this
morning. I sent the family on there way to my parrents house and stayed as long as I could. We
have been without power and phone for over 24 hours now. Yesterday and last night there was
no way in or out of our area as all the high ways were closed. This morning the CHP opened the
west bound lanes for evacuees. We made it out..... I have several friends that have lost there homes.
What a helpless feeling this is. There are so many fires burning in the San Diego county area and
not enough personnel to fight them. Driving down the free way was like driving through a war zone.
If it wasn't burning on both sides of me it was charged black, Even the center medium was burnt.
The smoke was so thick you could not have the AC on and could only see about 50 yards ahead .
I could not help but tear up as I drove past destroyed homes and miles of charged land. 13 lives
have already been lost here in San Diego county and hundreds of homes. Keep us in your prayers.

Onlyroosies

LAWMAN · October 27, 2003 7:06AM

The people who are dying in this thing are the ones who waited too long to leave. If you have to evacuate, get out now! The only thing not replaceable is YOU.

BigE · October 27, 2003 7:08AM

Best wishes to all you guys over there, I feel for you as my home was destroyed a little over a year ago by a storm

FrattLaw · October 27, 2003 11:04AM

Update I made it home and it was still there -- for now. The closet fire is 1 mile away and closing, but no evacuation yet. The fire department here in LA are trying to save the structures and they are doing a pretty good job so far.

But with the night, supersoakers and helicopters can't fly and I'm afraid the winds might change as well. I have almost everything packed that I need so if I am evacuated it should be okay.

I could careless about the house ect -- material possessions -- but the coins are packed and are ready to go.

I trying to stay in here as long as possible -- a/k/a until I'm told to go.

If you don't hear from me for awhile it means I was evacuated and can't get to a computer. Otherwise I will update everyone as I endure this situation.

Wow -- a heart attack 3 weeks ago and now this -- someone really doesn't like me.

Michael

kranky · October 27, 2003 11:20AM

If the smoke is going to aggravate your health problems, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to leave before it becomes mandatory.

Stay safe, Michael.

marcmoish · October 27, 2003 11:20AM

Michael,

With a heart attack 3 weeks ago - you gotta stay way cool and collected - I hope you do, and I wish you well!

Marc

Coin Finder · October 27, 2003 11:27AM

Michael,

I hope everything works out for you and your family. Heck of year you are having. My prayers are with you guys!

Tbig

DMWJR · October 27, 2003 11:29AM

Michael, don't be foolish. Find a place to stay and take care of yourself!

jbsteven · October 27, 2003 11:39AM

just SAVE THE COINS!

grip · October 27, 2003 11:43AM

Mike
You need this aggrevation like a hole in the head,get to a safe area with your possessions,you dont need another heart attack.

SarasotaFrank · October 27, 2003 11:49AM

Michael:

Hope you folks stay safe.

A friend of mine in the LA sent me about 20 photos he took from his front yard. Here's one showing teh fire making its way over the mountain.

Geoman · October 27, 2003 12:05PM

Here is a picture to cool down those fires. I just took this tonight. That is me and my 4-yearl old daughter shoveling snow. Yes, it is really snowing, and it is suppose to snow all night long.

FrattLaw · October 27, 2003 1:11PM

Hey Frank that pic shows the fire near my house. That area is called Rocky Peak and is 1-2 miles from my development, going east (right of the photo). For you Planet of the Ape fans, that's where they filmed the area where the Heston spaceship crashed.

The fire is still about a mile away and I was able to talk to a Fire and Rescue expert near my house and apparently my development is no immenient danger. There's an area around my development that has been cleared for new houses that has created a natural defense line with no vegatation to burn. And there's no plan to evacuate tonight, however, another community in my development is right up against the mountain and they are being taken out of their 1-2 million dollar homes. Sometimes it's good to be in the cheap seats!

The smoke is bad, the smell is bad, and I'm just trying to stay indoors right now.

onlyroosies -- I know what you're going through. Goodluck to you and your family. I hope all turns out well for you and for me. These fires have done too much harm already. Keep us updated as well with your situation.

Michael

dbldie55 · October 27, 2003 1:23PM

Spent all summer in the smoke. I feel for you folks down there. Nothing like feeling pretty much helpless. My mom has had to pack up in their house more than once due to danger of fires in the area. Nothing to take non-seriously.

Geoman, nice snow. Snow in our forecast for the next 10 days although the mountain tops are already getting it. The Yellowstone National Park fire in 1988 was not put out until it was covered with snow. What is the chance it will snow in Southern California?

fountainheadgold · October 27, 2003 1:51PM

Wow I have been watching on fox news, Stay safe all of you out there on the left coast

JoshL · October 27, 2003 2:28PM

<< <i>These fires must be something! I'm stuck in Oakland, California due to the shut down of the SoCal airports and I can't get home. Apparently the Simi Valley fire is only a couple of miles from my door and I can't get good updates here in Oakland.

If anyone can post some info as to the exact location of the Simi Valley fire, please do my wife and I are kinda nervous about coming home to find our house on fire. We are going to try to get on a flight this afternoon and get home but we are basically in the dark with where and how the fire is heading in Simi Valley.

Thanks in anticipation!

Michael >>

Address list of houses that have burned

http://www.scrippsranch.org/special/fire_address_list.asp

Conder101 · October 28, 2003 12:56AM

If there is a chance of you having to be evacuated but there is no rush yet, I would go ahead and start moving valuables, ireplaceables etc now while there is no pressure. If winds change suddenly you may find yourself having to "Get out NOW!" with no time to pack things into the car and the possiblity of having to drop everything and RUN. Take the opportunity during this reprieve to get the important stuff to safety.

FrattLaw · October 28, 2003 3:48AM

It's a little better today. It seems like the FD is getting a real handle on the stuff around my house. Still though the sound of helicopters and supersoaker airplanes are rattling my windows because they are flying so low.

I am hoping by tonight we will have a better idea of what the real danger is or isn't (hopefully)

My car is packed and I'm ready to roll if we are told to evacuate, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Michael

ClausUrch · October 28, 2003 3:49AM

Glad to hear it, Michael! Earthquakes, mudslides and firestorms, Oh my.....give me a good ol' fashion hurricane anyday.

DMWJR · October 28, 2003 3:58AM

uh . . . let's don't wish for hurricanes . . .

Glad to hear things are better Michael.

SDCollector · October 28, 2003 6:18AM

You would not believe how orange the sky is right now over San Diego (coastal). It's been 3 days now and I thought for sure that today the fire would start to die down. But apparently it's still raging in the Alpine and Julian areas, about 30 miles from us. Unbelievable!

bigindie · October 28, 2003 6:34AM

Glad the firefighters are getting a handle on things. I'm praying for you and all those affected.

Elcontador · October 28, 2003 7:25AM

Out here at LAX, the sky is a sulfur tinged yellow. There are no fires in the vicinity. However, I
know quite a few people in the Santa Clarita Valley and the north end of Chatsworth that I have not been able to reach.

Twenty years ago, I saw a bush fire when I was in Zambia. It scared the **** out of me. My prayers go out to the people in the affected areas.

ConstellatioCollector · October 28, 2003 10:32AM

Good luck Michael.

I arrived home and the fires STILL are lapping at my door!

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