San Diego, California, Wildfires

In the last 24 hours, a series of fires has occurred in the San Diego County area. I was first aware of these fires because I could smell the smoke in Temecula, which is about 57 miles from San Diego and just about 15 miles from the San Diego County line. The night of October 21st I was driving back home to San Diego from Temecula and, while on the 15 south bound freeway, I passed through Escondido and Poway and inhaled a great amount of smoke from the fires and started coughing. Now first let me say I was in a safe distance away from where the fires are occurring but even being 30-40 miles away the smoke was really strong. Now imagine that in the towns and areas where the fires are occurring that there is ash everywhere, heavy winds, and lots of toxic smoke.

On my way home most of San Diego's radio stations were giving news reports of the fires and where to evacuate. When I got home I turned on the news to a few different channels and they were also giving live reports on the fires, and are still, at this moment, which is 12:10 am Oct. 22, giving hour updates and information. As I listened to the news on the radio and watched the news on TV, I examined the different approaches and focuses of each source. San Diego's 10 News Channel focused on live coverage from Mayor Sanders that spoke around 11 pm. Channel's 10 news got highlights of Mayor Sanders conference on the fire and what was being done to stop it. Some of the highlights that were covered during Mayor Sanders conference were: 1. Over 100 firefighter teams are heading to the San Diego County area; 2. They have evacuated the whole town of Ramona and are working on evacuating major areas that are being affected; 3. They have opened Evacuation Rescue Centers that people can go to get out of the affected area.

While channel 10 news focused more on highlights and Mayor Sander's conference the radio stations also covered the fires but focused on other concentrations, San Diego AM 600 KOGO station also covered Mayor Sander's conference but also focused on other concentrations. The station also covered more of a personal a realistic view of how the fires were really affecting the citizens of San Diego County. The station actually had a live person that was affected by the fires on line. This person they had on the air was a man that lives in Ramona but had evacuated the area. The man advised to the radio station that he evacuated Ramona and went to a local San Diego hotel that was in the Hotel circle area. This man advised that he told the hotel his and his family's situation and the hotel was very sympathetic and helped them getting a room. The man also advised that some people that he knew in Ramona were trying to fight the fires by staying in their homes. The main on air advised that any citizen in Ramona should leave their homes and go to a safe location. It was very real and I felt the concern in the man's voice.

Other news channels like KUSI used an honest approach and advised that news was given very quickly but they are trying to give accurate information as possible because they want to make sure people know what's going on and where people need to go. This news channel interviewed a live couple on the spot from Ramona who lost their home. This new article was covered on 12:42 am as I write this article. The couple advised they wanted to tell and let their neighbors know that they lost their house and everything in it and surrounding houses were lost as well. The couple especially the wife was very sad and crying while she was being interviewed. She advised that four homes around her were gone and some are still burning. As I watched this interview my heart just wants to reach out to the couple and help them. The couple continued to cry on live news. The news channel also advised there are mandatory evacuations of San Pasqual valley as well.

Right now the different news channels are advising there are many fires in the San Diego County area and a few new fires that just started. Everyone in the San Diego County area is affected by this fire even me. These fires affect the people who live in the areas that the fire is, the brave people who are fighting these fires, the news people who are covering these stories, politicians and public officials helping organize evacuations and emergency centers, and the people who are breathing in the fire's smoke like me and my family.

Having experience from the pasted 2003 San Diego Fires here are some things all San Diego Citizens that are in the surrounding areas should know about. First of all people who are in a safe location away from the fires but are still being affected by the smoke should purchase breathing masks to not get affected by the toxic ash and smoke. Another thing people in the surrounding areas should do is be prepares and aware of what is going on. Please listen to the news and radios for updates to see if you're residence may be in the affected areas. Be ready for evacuation beforehand so if you do have to leave you will already packed and have important belongings. When police or officials tell you to leave the area, listen to them! For the safety of you and your family do what is the safest.

My heart goes out to all the victims of these wildfires and people who are still being affected by them. If you live in the San Diego County area we are all being advised to stay inside because the air quality is really bad. Please everyone be safe. If you need information on evacuation or about the Wild Fires the County has set up a line at (619) 570-1070. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone that is being affected by these wildfires. Please again everyone be as safe as you can.