Reformation Sunday
One of the curiosities of the calendar is that on the day in which many Christians are outraged there is a wonderful historical moment well worth celebrating. Today is the Sunday that the beginning of the Reformation is commemorated, but it’s on October 31st that Martin Luther bravely nailed his 95 theses to the church doors at Wittenburg. Mark Daniels has posted an excellent look at this history changing moment.
Maybe we should dress up as our favorite Reformers this week. I can just hear the conversations on streets nation wide. “Well, don’t you look grand young man. Who are you?” “I’m Ulrich Zwingli!” “And you, young lady?” “I’m Katharina von Bora!” “Wonderful!”
Saturday update
The fire that came closest is 85% contained. The fire to the east is 35% contained. Neither has any chance now of touching us. So, this week’s fire excitement is now over. I’ll be posted a couple more pics and maybe a map to show a bit what was going on in a bit.
The roads are still closed, though, so I am stuck at home. Missed a meeting on Thursday and a party last night. Others are significantly more inconvenienced.
It just started raining outside.
A lesser goldfinch landed on the branch by the birdbath.
That’s the saturday update. We’ll be soon resuming our regularly scheduled blog, already in progress.
Thursday afternoon update
The closest fire had little activity yesterday and today. Didn’t advance at all. 40% contained.
The wind is light. The reports say these fires are the #1 priority in the state of California which means every resource needed is available.
And even better. The power just came back on.
Now to clean the house up from the make shift no-power use, and scattered evacuation preparations.
Thanks for your prayers everyone.
For more updates see www.rimoftheworld.net
Meanwhile, back at the dance…
A couple more reviews have popped up. Fire updates seem to have settled down so wander on over and check out what Aj Schwanz has to say. Then wander over to Wess Daniels.
Nice things said, with some fair critiques. I really appreciate both of these.
Wednesday evening update
Here’s the official word:
As of 4 PM, fire officials report that the Grass Fire is 30% contained and the Slide Fire is still at 0%. The Grass Fire has burned about 1,000 acres and was primarily burning within its perimeter today with little expansion. The Slide Fire continues to grow and has burned just over 10,000 acres. A volunteer firefighter who fought the blaze in Green Valley Lake and Running Springs said that for every one house there were unable to save, firefighters managed to save five. The fire has burned down Highway 330 to near the middle passing lane and 1N09.
Despite poor visibility, firefighters are making good progress on the Slide and Grass Fires today. Poor visiblity has prevented the fixed wing aircraft from making drops, but 14 helicopters are working both the Slide and Grass Fires along with over a thousand fire personnel. The fire has continued to burn toward Big Bear with news helicopters placing it 2 miles to the west of the Big Bear Dam. However, its progress has slowed as it has moved into the burn area for the Butler Fires, and firefighters are optimistic about the eastward progress halting.
And this is just neat, from this afternoon:
Per CNN report just now, an unmanned NASA drone out of Edwards AFB will be flying all night with IR technology to scout out hot spots on the hill. Supposedly this will be a 10-hour flight to help direct fire crews
Some stores are open and there was a feeling of relaxation in the air today. The fires aren’t out but the prognosis is very good, and it’s looking like it’s just about putting it out and cleaning things up now.
No word when regular power will be restored, or the main roads opened. But it seems the fire has done its worst up here and is going to start saying goodbye.
Thanks for your prayers.
.
revenge
From the official update site for local information:
Massive Aerial Assault Today
Update 8:45 AMA wind change overnight has slowed the advance of the fire and spread smoke in the Big Bear area for the first time. Fourteen helicopters are staging at Big Bear Airport and have begun heading to assignments within the fires. Additionally, air tankers, including Tanker 910, are expected to provide a continual aerial bombardment of fire retardant at five minute intervals. Sheriff’s Officers, when they are not checking on looters, arsonists, and gawkers, are canvassing the area reporting any spot fires that are nearing homes. Today is the day the fires will feel our retaliation.
cause
In case you’re wondering reports are that the fire that came really close to us yesterday was started by a power line knocked down by the heavy wind. Knocked down in a place with heavy brush.
Some places maybe shouldn’t have power lines that can be knocked down.
Someone should work on that.
another update
So, Patrick, anything happening?
Well, I’m glad you asked. There are two fires, one on my east, one on my west. Now the one on the west was the bad one yesterday. Burned a lot of homes, some as close as 2 miles. Saw some of those flames last night in fact. Well the wind has blown that fire away, southwest. So it’s not a big danger anymore.
Unless of course the wind changes direction and blows the fire back at us.
The fire on the east is a little bit more sketchy right now. It’s actually starting to approach the town (I’m on the opposite side of the lake of the town). Now that’s pretty bad, and the sky was filled with smoke for a good part of the day. Only between us and it there’s vast swaths of fire damage from the fire in 2003. Nice fire break. So, I’m watching. But it seems like we’ll get through this one.
Kudos to the fire crews (California firefighters are likely the best in the world)who do a wonderful job in absolutely mind-boggling circumstances. They were able to make strong lines and even though a lot of homes were lost, so many were saved purely because of their work. They don’t hardly sleep during these days.
They got in a couple of chinook helicopters and a DC-10 on the fire last afternoon and today. The DC-10 is a converted American Airlines jet. Saw it fly by this evening. Very big. Drops a whole lot of fire retardant (12,000 gallons) in a very exact way.
So they are doing an amazing job. All is well for now. Thanks for your prayers. Continue to pray for a lessening of the wind.
Thanks all!
fire
It’s 8:30 local time now, here’s a bit of an update:
There’s a huge fire in Arrowhead right now. 200 homes have burned. Our power is out. (borrowing a power cord from a neighbors generator right now). That neighbor is a 30 year fireman veteran, and has been at the fire all day. This morning there was an evacuation for our area. But we stayed for a variety of reasons. The fireman neighbor just came back and said he was pretty sure our house was safe now, unless there’s a major change in the wind or something. He’s keeping in contact with us so we’ll know.
Needless to say, prayers are most appreciated.
Likely this means the power will be out for a week or so, just to let you know if I’m not around.
All is well. Danger is near. But it didn’t touch us.
