It's the weirdest feeling

[manbridge 74]

From a guy who was in the Haman, Waldo Canyon, and Black Forest fires here in CO but mostly made out OK, I can say I truly know what you are going through. I hated all the evacuations and uncertainty. I’m praying you are well. Not only for physical safety but mentally. The aftermath for me was hard.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Very sorry to hear this.
Why couldn't you load up the Airstream and drive it out?

Rod, I live down in Los Angeles and my AS trailer is @ friend's place about 30 miles away where fire was. It all happened so quickly yesterday and the police and fire closed off all the roads, mandatory evacuation so people only allowed out not in. Was not possible or it would have been moved.

[speeder]

Just got out here, lots of devastation. Next door neighbor's place is burned to the ground including all vehicles, etc.

We were completely spared w the exception of a clean old F-250 Powerstroke 4x4 I had until yesterday. An ember must have landed in the bed and I had maybe a tarp back there(?) Can't remember now.

Anyways, it's less than 10 feet from my Airstream and trailer was spared as well as my car trailer and other vehicles. House is fine w LOTs of valuable vehicles inside. I'm feeling lucky.

[speeder]

Looking for a "before" picture...

[MRM]

Amazing. Glad you escaped without too much loss, Denis. That is one nice looking truck. Hard to lose, but it could have been so much worse.

From the picture I'm guessing that an ember landed in the grass around the front wheels. Vehicles, especially engine compartments, are made out of things that burn surprisingly well. It would have taken only a spark to start a fire and then it's all gone before you can blink.

Give me a shout next time you're out this way. I still owe you dinner. Sorry it didn't work out to grab supper last time you stopped by, but the old boys loved seeing you. and if you need any help with insurance, you know where to ask.

[manbridge 74]

Too bad about the truck. Did you get the engine back in it before the burn?

I saw a clip where the Getty was pretty close. Was there a few years back. LOTS of fuel for fire there.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by speeder

Just got out here, lots of devastation. Next door neighbor's place is burned to the ground including all vehicles, etc.

We were completely spared w the exception of a clean old F-250 Powerstroke 4x4 I had until yesterday. An ember must have landed in the bed and I had maybe a tarp back there(?) Can't remember now.

Anyways, it's less than 10 feet from my Airstream and trailer was spared as well as my car trailer and other vehicles. House is fine w LOTs of valuable vehicles inside. I'm feeling lucky.

That'll buff right out.

Thankfully, it wasn't too bad for you, Denis.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Damn Denis, sucks about the truck but I’m glad it wasn’t worse.

[motion]

Really glad to hear you were mostly spared, Denis. That had to be very stressful. Bummer about the truck

[motion]

Originally Posted by fingpilot

My extended family owns all of Sulphur Mountain above Ojai.

It's all gone. 7 separate houses, some dating back to pioneer California, some as new as 2016.

The new ones (built to latest fire resistant standards) burned just as easily as the oldest. Winds when they all left yesterday afternoon were 60 to 70 miles an hour at the top of the mountain.

So far, everyone is accounted for. Pets are with them, most of the livestock is unaccounted for, all were turned loose, and not in sight during flyover this morning.

I'm always a last minute shopper for Christmas, but this year, it's all going to local church charity and the Red Cross.

[tevake]

Originally Posted by fingpilot

My extended family owns all of Sulphur Mountain above Ojai.

It's all gone. 7 separate houses, some dating back to pioneer California, some as new as 2016.

The new ones (built to latest fire resistant standards) burned just as easily as the oldest. Winds when they all left yesterday afternoon were 60 to 70 miles an hour at the top of the mountain.

So far, everyone is accounted for. Pets are with them, most of the livestock is unaccounted for, all were turned loose, and not in sight during flyover this morning.

I'm always a last minute shopper for Christmas, but this year, it's all going to local church charity and the Red Cross.

Wow Flingpilot, so sorry to hear how this disaster has made such personal impact on you and your family. The family property you describe sounds like a special place for y'all .
It's hard to come up with anything of comfort in the face of such loss.
But I'm thinking of you and all that are being hit so hard by these fires.
So relieved to hear that your family and pets got out ok, hope the livestock shows up ok in time.

What a mess these fires are creating. I hope your family are doing ok now, and plotting their recovery.

Aloha Richard

[speeder]

Add my condolences for your family's loss, Mike. So far, I haven't read about loss of human life but the property and livestock losses are unbelievable. I'm sure that if they ever get the Thomas fire out, there will be casualties in the burn zone.

The worst story I'm aware of so far is this, dozens of horses burned in a stable. This is near where my trailer is parked.

Nearly 40 horses burned to death in Creek Fire that struck Sylmar ranch | abc7.com

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by vash

this is December..way past our fire season.

I'm just shocked to be reading this thread, thought for sure this was an old thread with a bump until I read the dates.

Sorry to be reading about the tragedy out that way.

Those poor horses.

[speeder]

These are the worst fires I've ever seen...the Thomas fire alone would seal that title.

[fingpilot]

The horses and mules all showed up where their barn used to be. They were filthy, but no injuries. My cousin said they were all mad! He moved them all to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, named after my Grandfather.

Thanks for the concern. Most everyone got out with some photos, and a change of clothes. They had always been bypassed by brush fires because they were so high up on top of the hill.