So, do I save the Porsche first?
 

The Simi Valley fire in Southern California inches ever-closer to my house.

Here's the view from my balcony at 9:45 a.m. local time:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067277373.jpg

So, do I save the Porsche first, and leave the rest? Just kidding, but the safety of the car is a concern. I don't want to leave it out, for fear of the alkaline ash harming the paint (as per another post on this board). On the other hand, I want to be able to move it ASAP if this situation gets out of hand. It's gonna be a long day. :( If any local Pelicans have a truck, and want to hang out on "fire watch" today, I'm buying the pizza and drinks!

Cheers!

Scott

That is a really awful picture. I fell really bad for all you socals. You are in my prayers.

Down here in San Diego, we had a hellish day in the Scripps Ranch area. We were ready to evacuate--three cars and two qualified drivers. The Porsche and the house were the odd men out. Fortunately, the winds died down last night and the front slowed. Very smokey and lots of ash today, but I still have my house and family.

Too much drama in Cali lately............

By the way, I did see one white Boxter get torched along with a house. It did put up a galant fight, but was no match considering it probably had a full fuel tank. The funniest (not that there is anything funny about this whole situation) is that the film crew was filming it live and the female newscaster called it a Miata.

Here's the latest...as of 9:45a.m. local time:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067279208.jpg

Yikes! :eek:

Yeah, I'm watching the flames from my back window creep over the hill, this *****s gonna get ugly =(. Anyway, I went through a similar situation a few years back when the hills behind my house burned (luckily didn't take the house), I just moved the 911 to the bottom of the driveway in case we had to evacuate, but we never did so she went right back in the garage. I'd suggest turning her over and making sure all things are in check and the car can be moved at a moment's notice. Also, you've already probably thought about what you want to take with you (family albums, the kids toys, anything else that holds sentimental value), but I'd say the most important besides those are your expensive smaller items (electronics, jewelry, expensive tapestries/paintings). Anyway, I hope you don't lose your house and I'm praying for you, good luck with everything scott.

Thanks, Amir. If I have to leave, I think I'm going to take pictures, my computer, financial and insurance documents, the dog, the Porsche, my flying gear, and that's about it (in no particular order). Everything else is replaceable. At this point, I'm just watching the smoke and hoping for the best!

Scott

Another tip is to grab your video camera and film the inside of your house, verbally annotating the important items that you cannot take with you. It will help for insurance purposes.

Hopefully, you won't need it.

If you have a pool, throw anything that can withstand water inside it before you leave. This works for anything non-electrical or that otherwise would sustain water damage.

Not that it matters now, but I know several people with pools, who have bought portable water pumpers to combat any pending fire danger.

What's also interesting is water-dropping helicopters have also been sucking up water from local swimming pools to return more quickly to the fire; instead of going out to a lake, etc.

No video camera, but the digital still camera has been busy. Wind is starting to pick up a bit, but there are a lot of aircraft working the flames. Holding my breath...

Scott

Seeing those aircraft/helicopters work is just awesome. The whole operation - from them sweeping down low, then all the fire engines and police cars alerting those on the ground with their sirens that "a drop" is about to happen. Man, it's really something! :eek:

Damn - good luck and don't wait too long to leave.

10:45 a.m. More white smoke. Either they're getting water on it, or we have a new Pope!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067281876.jpg

OK, I'm officially starting to get nervous. I can see flames on the hillside. :eek:

What kind of external load can you hang on the '47? How about one of those water buckets?

Seriously, keep the blue side up out there.

Maybe a five gallon bucket from Home Depot. :)

Thanks for the kind words, John.

ScottB, you have a PM with my cell, call if you need help.

scottb:

Where do you live in Simi? My brother is at Yosemite St. just about 1 block below the freeway. Are you near there?

Anyway, don't wait too long to get out of there. That fire looks pretty menacing from your photo. The suggestion about the videotaping of things you will be leaving behind is a good one as long as there is enough time to do that and still get out of their safley.

GOD SPEED Scottb.

Mike

Scott,

I'm praying for you and your family, good luck.

Philip

Here's the latest...11:30 a.m.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067283946.jpg

The view from above:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067284543.jpg

I'll be crossing my fingers for your neighborhood, Scott. Post to Pelican if there's anything any of us can do.

Jack: I may need help moving stuff out. Of all days, the SUV is in the shop, so all I have is the Carrera and a loaner car. I'm going to wait another few hours and hope the wind continues to blow southwest. If it moves east by southeast, I'm in trouble.

Thanks for your offer.

Scott

Scott.

I have the day off. Lets just get what you want and put it in the hangar. So what if nothing happens, we move it back and have pizza. If the cargada hits the N1, it's too late to do it then.

Call.

Just talked to the NWS. They say winds are already shifting back WSW. Is calm here at the marina. Was east all morning, a puff of cool westerly, then calm for the last hour. Say the word, it's only time. How would we get there from here? Probably 23 from the 101? Looks like 118 still closed.

Michael: It's a little premature...but not much. If the winds continue blowing southwest, I'll be OK. If they shift, then I'm outta here. My plan is to take financial and insurance docs, flying gear, log books, dog, Porsche, pictures, etc. If I can get more, great. I'll keep you posted...but thanks SO MUCH for offering. It's a great comfort.

I'm just east of the blaze...Tampa off the 118. I think the 118 is still open this far east, but it's closed at De Soto (last I heard). From where you are, it's 405 north to 118 west, off at Tampa.

Hey Scott,
I live in the same community as you! If you go down Sesnon past Porter Ranch Dr., you can see all the flames coming. I have never seen you around in the community. I drive a white Ford F350 crew cab dually. From the picture, looks like you back yard is on Hololow Springs?

OK, am watching lotsa flareups from time to time.

Keep us all posted.

Italcarguy: I'll send you an e-mail.

Wind is dead calm at the coast.

VNY 040/04

BUR 060/02

Am keeping fingers crossed.

Breezy here, but not howling. Keeping my fingers crossed too.

Wow scott, I know the community your in, use to live close to there. Im sorry Im in Vegas now, or Id be there to help also. Good luck out there.

Here in RB, its pretty hazy this morning. Sun is trying to shine but is being somewhat blocked. Our problems with the sun are much less than those with houses in the line of fire. Good luck scott.

Yeah, Oh Melvany park is burning right now according to my friend, it really is looking bad as the winds shift the fire toward Chatsworth. F*** this is getting worse every hour, wish there was something I could do to help ya out =(, I just got in to work and the cloud of smoke just seems to climb higher and higher (i'm just south of the 101 in the building that looks like the white house on ventura between de soto and winnetka)

Sonic, Is RB Redondo?

With the 118 closed how can we get to you to help? You know I'll send a flatbed for anything you want moved. I have room either here at the shop or at home. Just give the word!! 786 2181

The Sigalert website says the 118 is open from the 405 to the Kuhner offramp, both ways. Have not seen anything other than that.

Kevin: You can get to my house by going north up Reseda or Tampa to Sesnon. So, surface streets will work if the 118 is closed east of Tampa.

Thanks for the offer! I may take you up on it!

i realized the fires were bad, but i didnt realize how spread out they are until i saw this.

http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8158/5m/images.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2003-10/9977175.pdf

Singpilot...yes, Im in Redondo B. too.

Scott, you realize that if they send out the word to evacuate the streets will be jammed and you might not get anything out. Perhaps you should take up the offers to help you move. Yes it might be a waste of time, but time is a cheap commodity compared to possibly losing everything!