Wildfires

We were right in the middle of the San Diego wildfires last week. Yes. One is 15 miles to the north and another is about 12 miles to the south. The closests either one came to us was probably about 8 miles, as the crow flies.
We live in an old neighborhood, and the fires would have to go through a lot to get to us. The Santa Ana winds died down a few days ago and the fires are contained. They should be out sometime next week. I was called back to work on Wednesday morning last week. My wife had been going to work all week for half days. Most of the county has returned home after being evacuated. I have a mental list prepared about what to evacuate with but I kept it quiet just to let the kids feel a little at ease. My son had been on fall break the last two weeks prior to the fires and he has the rest of this past week off. My daughter had one week and it was extended to last week as well. They will have to make up that time lost.
County officials were trying to keep people off the roads. Many who were off went out to volunteer and help the evacuees. Except me, I can't handle the smoke. I have a little cough. Plus, I was recovering from my recent hospital stay. I was exhausted.
Santa Ana winds start with a high pressure system pushing down over the Great Basin (Utah, Nevada). That elevation is about 3000-4000 feet. As the high-pressure system, the air moves in a clockwise motion and it moves through the high desert. It picks up speed in the canyons and valleys and lowers in elevation. As air lowers in elevation it rises in temperature. About 4.5ºF for every 1000 feet. So by the time it reaches the coast (1000-ft. elevation) it can be 20ºF hotter and have 50 -60 mph behind it. The air is also desert air and extremely dry. We are in a drought and the dry air sucks any moisture out of the plants and vegetation. If there is a spark or anything the brush just goes up in flames. It is very volatile.
A Santa Ana condition is characterized by wind from the east. We had two fires, one to the north and one to the south. Our skies were clear, but warm. We had the dry heat but were spared by any fires and ash. Every once in a while we would get some smoke but our neighborhood was relatively clear. We lucked out. I know some of my coworkers had to be evacuated. I have not heard of any of them losing their houses. We kept an eye on the news but we were never in any danger. We would be concerned if there was one directly east of El Cajon, Santee, or Lakeside. There were several 4 years ago and we were really concerned then. But the fires we see there now quickly burn themselves out for a lack of fuel.
Four years ago, we were in the direct path of the flames and smoke. We were never in any real danger and did not evacuate. I did notice that we were at best 5 miles from the flames. We saw a lot of smoke and ash at that time. I went out to check on the yard and neighborhood and found, what looked like a burnt three-inch twig on the driveway behind my car. I bent over to pick it up and it disintegrated in my fingers. It turned completely to ash. That meant to me that it was on fire, an ember, when it hit my driveway. That is what the winds can do. It can carry a burning ember 5 miles and set it down on fire. We were very lucky that time as were we this time.
That is my take on the local wildfires. I count my blessings that we did not have to go through that nightmare. It has been said that the Lord never gives you any thing that you can’t handle. I have had a great life, with very little pain. I count my blessings. I sometimes think that God knows that I wouldn’t be able to handle anything like that. He is being easy on me. Thank God!
D.