A Year Ago, We Experienced Hell

[PhoenixCadet]

In light of the recent fires in Los Angeles, I figured this would be a good time to post this.

Almost a year ago to this day (October 21st, 2007) one of the worst wildfires in California history (the Witch Creek Fire).

Over 23 fires burned across California during a period of almost a month. Out of those 23 fires, my neighborhood was hit the hardest. Of the 1,500 homes lost in California from that storm, 1,100 of them alone were in my general area.

Over 30 friends of mine were left homeless, and 360 students from my school district lost their homes, along with 20 staff (and one former teacher of mine).

Being that this is almost a year to the day of when they started, a memorial was set up at the community park across the freeway from my house. (Info on the various colored bows can be seen here.)








(If you notice the hill in the background of this picture, there is a condo complex on the hill, just to the left of where the picture cuts it off. This is what it looked like that morning. Link)

For those who don't know what kind of damage a firestorm can do - I made these two videos to show just that. The first is pictures and video during the storm, and the second is after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxigmmnxiro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI7V0wxJHFc

We've had a few small brush fires in the area (6 acres at the most), including the few small ones at Camp Pendleton (about 4000 to 5000 acres big), but nothing to worry about. We'll see how that goes with the rest of the month ahead of us.

-PC

[TruBlu]

I've never actually seen a firestorm before, like in person. I've seen videos, but not like raw footage not from a newscast. That must have been insane seeing a fire of that magnitude burning so close to you!

How has the area recovered? Have homes been rebuilt where they were burned down and stuff like that?

[Armed Drill Addict]

I understand what you have gone through, I live across the lake from New Orleans and I have done so for about 7 years. I went through Hurricane Katrina. It really is astounding to watch how nature can overcome anything we have worked for.

Two elements that are so diversely different, fire and water, can both have such insurmountable power and effect on our lives.

[PhoenixCadet]

Originally Posted by TruBlu

How has the area recovered? Have homes been rebuilt where they were burned down and stuff like that?

All the lots in my area that suffered have been cleared out, and most have either rebuilt already, or have started to - but in driving around any of the areas around me, there are still a large amount that are still dirt lots.

[TruBlu]

Originally Posted by PhoenixCadet

All the lots in my area that suffered have been cleared out, and most have either rebuilt already, or have started to - but in driving around any of the areas around me, there are still a large amount that are still dirt lots.

It'll probably be like that for a good while won't it? I wasn't around when hurricane Hugo hit Charleston, but the damage was so great that many lots/buildings/bridges were damaged for years (my mom told me a great deal about all of it). Hopefully your area will recover much faster and within the next year or so be back to what it was, if that's ever possible.

[flyBoy2010]

I'm sure that the recent fires haven't helped much in the reconstruction. Those Santa Anna winds are just brutal.

[PhoenixCadet]

Originally Posted by TruBlu

It'll probably be like that for a good while won't it? I wasn't around when hurricane Hugo hit Charleston, but the damage was so great that many lots/buildings/bridges were damaged for years (my mom told me a great deal about all of it). Hopefully your area will recover much faster and within the next year or so be back to what it was, if that's ever possible.

Aside from the crap with insurance companies basically conning people out of their money - another big reason why a lot of the houses in my area haven't been rebuilt is due to the large population of elderly folks here. Many who lost their homes simply decided to walk away.

-PC

[PhoenixCadet]

Originally Posted by flyBoy2010

I'm sure that the recent fires haven't helped much in the reconstruction.

It didn't do anything for us down here, actually. The most recent fires were up in Los Angeles; I'm below Camp Pendleton in San Diego. We have had a few small brush fires, 10-15 acres, at the most. Definitely nothing to worry about.

[TruBlu]

Originally Posted by PhoenixCadet

Aside from the crap with insurance companies basically conning people out of their money - another big reason why a lot of the houses in my area haven't been rebuilt is due to the large population of elderly folks here. Many who lost their homes simply decided to walk away.

-PC

Damn insurance companies, only out to make a buck. And I see people just walking away from it, in fact, I probably would have been one of them if there wasn't much of a reason to stick around (not saying there wouldn't be a reason lol). A fresh start is needed for some in situations like these, you really can't blame them for it though.

[Drill for life]

I find that very awe-inspiring. I love to see memorials, I know it cause it grat suffering but the way a community pulls together to remeber such a horrible experience.