Ya, kind of a catch 22. Although, last night reporters were talking with a resident of Jamul and he did just the same thing. "asked" a stranger to leave his property and not return. I think during certain circumstances, the law (with alot more on their hands) would turn the other way.
Don't move the body. Had a buddy learn that lesson the hard way. That shows guilt not defense per the eyes of the law.
1. Make sure they're dead so they can't sue you. 2. Shoot them in your house. What is wrong with people? I don't even understand how anyone could be so inhuman to steal from people, but how can they do that to evacuees? Things like this fire really show you the two opposites of humanity. It's amazing how everyone has united to support our communities. :clap:
Poway posted a list of things they needed for evacues from in and outside of Poway. They had over 1000 people displaced. In 4 hours they had everything they needed and were turning people away to take supplies to other shelters. Since we were the lucky ones we went to the store and filled up my truck with stuff to donate. we might go back tonight trying to find out what else they need. this is one of the reasons we moved to this are a few months ago. the community is the best. I have never been in a community like this before. My nieces boyfriends drove around cutting up fallen trees in the parks and at peoples homes around our neighborhood. they're young and big buff dudes that just wanted to help out...and play with chainsaws and axes, but hey they worked all day yesterday. Poway rocks and it seems like lots of other parts of San Diego do too.
Recon Mark, here's what your place looks like from the trail below on the way from Hodges. I can't believe the fire went around all the homes to the north, jumped south & back east into the small canyon, worked it's way around to the right, and then up the hillside to torch your place. I'm gonna miss that section of overgrown jungle.
general update. Jennifer and I drove through Westwood and stopped by the apartments this afternoon. The devastation in the community is unreal. There are streets with almost no homes at all. Surprisingly, we saw a lot of people sifting through ashes already (even though some of the houses were still smoldering). Definitely a lot of emotions in the air...and it is very hard to watch for long. We felt at times as though we were walking on a burial ground--there was a strong sense of the need for respect and privacy as we drove through some of the streets. I urge everyone to give this community some space for a few weeks as they/we try to piece things back together. Now...onto our own personal disaster. See the attached pictures. Don't let your stomachs and hearts sink too much. It is worse than it looks in these pictures, but we are in good spirits and plan to only let this make us stronger. Note that we walked around the entire complex, and found it interesting that our unit (not building, just our apartment) was the ONLY one that collapsed completely into thin air. All of the other burnt units still have exoskeletons resembling the buildings they once were. We hypothesize that this means our apartment was likely the first one on fire, and burned for a very long time. My computer at home logged the moment of destruction at 9:54am--the last time it was able to check my email before going offline for the last time. Our garage is the one with the wall hanging in front of it. The garage directly to the right, and the garage at the far left collapsed and burned. With the amount of damage to the building, it is highly likely the floor collapsed into the middle two garages (including ours) as well. Unfortunately we'll just have to wait it out until the structural engineers green-light some mild work to open the door (or perhaps on the other hand, red-light it and call it all scrap). They estimate that by Monday we should be able to have someone attempt to open the door...though I'll be down there every day giving them shit until they do it for me I'm mentally prepared for what is inside, I just need the closure. I'm not terribly distressed about losing my car or bike--in fact, I'm ok with what I managed to keep: my laptop, 3 shirts and the jeans I left in. Jennifer reminded me about my ukulele and guitar this morning, to which I shed a few tears...I honestly didn't even see them that morning. I told Jennifer that everything "looked the same" as we were deciding what to grab. She went for some valuables including important documentation, passports, etc, while I grabbed water, multi-tool, knife and whatever food I could stuff into my backpack...I was preparing for the worst (stranded, no food, water, multiple day war zone), and am very thankful it didn't come anywhere near that. We are truly grateful for our family and friends, and everyone that has called to wish us well. It is hard to have my normal pessimistic outlook on humanity during times like this Anyway, we want you all to know that we are doing well, shaken a bit...and occasionally teary, but we are ok. It will be a while longer before the extent of this really sinks in. The loss seems big, but could have been bigger. Knowing how close we came to the ultimate end has us looking at each other a bit longer and deeper in the eyes than usual. I can recall the look on Jennifer's face as we were stuck in traffic trying to get out while trees and houses caught fire in front of us. It makes me break down everytime I do. Here's to better days ahead, good friends and of course, some great epic rides.
Thanks dude. The fifth picture in your series is our building. You can see where our balcony is now resting on the patio below us. Btw, please be careful visiting this area--the national guard has moved in and is stationed all over the complex with their guns at their side.
Ya, when I got into my place earlier this evening, they came around and asked me for ID. Since my ID shows a San Jacinto address, I had to use my work ID to show them I wasn't a looter. Let's just say they weren't effing around or taking any $h!t.
I know everyone uses cell phones now days but if you are evacuated or have lost your home/business AT&T is offering free temporary voicemail and call forwarding phone services for AT&T wireline customers. Residents call 1-877-722-6787 and Businesses call 1-800-750-2355.
So is your parents house OK. I know you can loose a lot of stuff to smoke damage but the house itself is OK right? I was thinking about the ID thing Monday. We updated our ID's online at DMV. They don't send a new card so my address shows SD. My insurance and mail show Poway but still I know that they are strict on that stuff.
Mark - was the guitar electric or acoustic? I *may* have an older/cheaper Fender I can donate. Just gotta see if it's still at my dad's house. It's yours if you are interested.
You didn't mention anything about pets?? Let me know one of my rescues could donate whatever you need and I have an Igloo dog house you're welcome to. My heart goes out to you please stay positive.
We've all seen the NASA shots from their page, but there is an interesting video of the smoke plumes from the space shuttle. If you compare the scenery, you can identify various locations with other images on the NASA site. NASA: site:http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/socal_wildfires_oct07.html Video (the flumes are seen toward the end of the video): + View Video of Fires From Space Shuttle Discovery
Finally back home:bang::bang: My first posts back on MY computer and not a work computer.:clap: It's too dark to take any pics of the burn area and it will be too dark when I get home tomorrow too. I'll take some Sunday and post them up.
