Fire season once again

Until I moved up to Los Angeles nearly a decade ago, I didn't really understand that there was such thing as a "fire season" in Southern Cali. I remember searching for renter's insurance circa 2002 and scoffing at the fact we couldn't get it in the area we were living in as it's a brush fire zone. It wasn't until the Barham/Griffith Park fires in 2007 that it became a reality to me as I watched it unfold in close-up. I never thought I would be one to chase down a brush fire with my camera in hand, looking to document the sheer awe that it inspires, but if I were able to do it safely, I realize that I would.

Once again, this year in California, there are several fires burning right now. Smog and ash, mixed with record temperatures, are all making the L.A. basin look like (what some of us have started referring to as) the "armpit of hell". I snapped a quick shot outside my building on the way into work @ 8:30 this morning and you can see how that nickname makes sense, despite being several miles away from the nearest fire.Here's hoping everybody stays safe.

DONATION INFORMATION

A quick update to the blog that I just posted below. While we are still fighting the fires, I am offering to donate 50% of proceeds from any sales through my Etsy store through the end of October to help the victims of these fires.

Other Etsy stores also donating include:
SoCaliGirl
Yummy Body Candy
BuyMySupplies
PaperZombie, Ink.
FlowerFaeries
Althena12
SallysCreations
Shellsnoel
OhPotato
Bringing Back Memories
SpazSpun
KnitBlitz
Gondancin
Earmark
Teha
Livia's Treasures
Dragon Lady Designs

Please see this blog for additional information. http://witch-fire.blogspot.com/
Click here to donate directly to the American Red Cross for San Diego relief efforts.

Here's How You Can Help in San Diego:

DONATE:

Food/Supplies: Please note that recent information is that they currently have enough supplies at Qualcomm.
You can donate to the Qualcomm Stadium Evacuation Center at Gate P (9449 Friars Rd., San Diego, CA 92108)

They are looking for the following items:
1. Prepared food (sandwiches, commercially prepared of pre-packaged food (not homemade); for both lunch and dinner)
2.Milk
3.Ice
4.Cots, blankets, sleeping bags and pillows
5.Air Mattresses
6.Sunscreen
7.Canopies for shade
8.Paper Towels
9.Handi Wipes
10.Toilet Paper
11.Paper Plates, cups, utensils
12.Disposable Styrofoam Coolers
13.Pet Food, Pet Carriers, Leashes
14.Cell phone chargers/batteries

Food Storage Trailer:
The City of San Diego is looking for a refrigerated trailer to store donated food on site. Anyone with such a trailer can call (619) 236-6167.

Money
The American Red Cross is also encouraging people to donate money online through their website. Click on "Donate Now", then under Donor Designations, pull up San Diego Wildfires DR 187-8. The monetary donations will provide shelter, food, counseling, and other assistance to victims of the fire.

Blood
The Blood Bank is accepting blood donations today at its Hillcrest and East County offices. Anyone at least 17 years old, who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good health, may qualify to give blood.

Blood Bank Locations for donations are:
- 440 Upas Street in Hillcrest (619) 296-6393
- 680 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon (619) 441-1804

There will also be "Blood Mobiles” located at Qualcomm Stadium and at the Del Mar Fairgrounds through 3:30 p.m. October 23, 2007.

VOLUNTEER:
If you want to volunteer, visit Spontaneous Volunteer Processing Center (SVPC) at 5331 Mt. Alifan Drive San Diego, CA 92111

I am thinking of you

I am fortunate enough to be in an area of Los Angeles County not directly affected by the Southern California fires that are currently raging. Having said that, because I am not in the direct line of fire doesn't mean that it doesn't affect me in other ways.

I have friends with family in Santa Clarita, co-workers who live 2 blocks from mandatory evacuation sites, a friend who is a volunteer fire-fighter and has been on the fire lines since 5am on Sunday morning. Down in San Diego, my alma mater (UCSD) has been closed, an unimaginable concept. The tenant living in a condo my parents own, and other close family friends living in Scripps Ranch have been evacuated. I used to live in that area and it's hard for me to picture what it will look like when the fire has taken its course.

Looking at a picture that someone took of the Canyon Country fires and posted on Flickr, there are many people out there who seem to think that this is some kind of divine retribution for the lifestyles that we Californians live. I find it hard to believe that there are people out there who can see this kind of tragedy unfold and think that anybody deserves it because they "should have known" that they live in a brush fire area. It's amazing that there can be such a lack of compassion when so many people are suffering.

So, to all of those who have been displaced from their homes by these fires, I am thinking of you and hoping for your safety. I am thinking of the firefighters who are risking their lives to save so many people and their possessions. I am thinking of those who are worried that they may be evacuated. I am thinking of those who have friends and family in the affected areas and aren't sure if they're ok. I am thinking of the animals that are losing their habitats. I am thinking of the beauty of these areas that are now burned and the landmarks we may have lost.

I hope that the fires will soon burn out and the Southern California communities will find safety once again.

While I do not have any photography covering these current fires, please see my previous post on the Griffith Park and Barham fires from earlier this year.

Barham/Griffith Park Fires

I have truly concluded that I am dedicated to my art. The recent fires destroying acres upon acres in the Griffith park area has been devastating to those that love that part of Los Angeles. As a photographer though, it wouldn't be right for me not to bust out the camera and document these events.

Barham Fire (3/30/07)

Dedication is....sneaking out of work to go home and get your camera, driving and taking pictures out of the car window at every stop sign, sneaking onto other companies' balconies at work to get a view from above....





Griffith Park Fire (5/8/07)

Dedication is....leaving the house at midnight on a Tuesday and driving around to get as close to Griffith Park as possible for a good vantage point, stopping your car in a red zone while in your PJs trying to keep the camera steady on the hood of the car....

(Note that the white lines in this picture are actually helicopters. The first two are a little fuzzy due to having to turn off the flash on the camera because of the street lights dulling the colors from the fire.)