California fires

[Patricia Babits]

How is everyone in Northern CA?

My eyes hurt so bad from the smoke!! Trying to stay inside, but it's hard, especially with a two-year-old. Today is a lot better. Tuesday was really bad.

I'm about 1.5 hours away from the fires. I feel so bad for the people right there.

Definitely need to skip the fireworks this year.

[Tiffany Deusebio]

Man, it seems especially bad today!

It's so hot out (already) that I have the house closed up so hopefully that will help, but just going out to put some mail out, it stunk!! Eyes are burning.

Very, very sad.

[Rebecca Blasco]

I've been watching these fires on TV and it never ceases to amaze me how easily they start and how quickly they spread. So sad to see such devastation.

Gosh, about 10 years ago I was living and working overseas in Israel. I was posted to an Embassy there and I had to take a day in Jerusalem. (Had to, like it's some kind of burden to go hang out in Jerusalem for a day.) It was the hottest day on record in more than 100 years, and as I'm driving through the Jerusalem corridor -- so named because heavy forest was on either side of that particular stretch of road.

Anyway, whilst driving through the Jerusalem corridor, the smoke became very thick. Fire had started in the forest and was spreading rapidly. What started the fire?? A small piece of glass lay on the forest floor, the sun hit it JUST right. I'll never forget that. And because of that I always think twice when out in the woods or something, when I see something that can spark, even a piece of glass, I'll pick it up. A piece of glass, and the entire forest went up in smoke.

Hope you're safe and staying out of the way. . .