California Destructive Fires

[Old]

I thought seagulls were bad enough.

 

 

[Tortuga]

We were hoping to go to Apple Hill this year but with the Delta varient and the Caldor fire, I don't think we are going this year.

[Doug]

It's day 3 in the hotel room following evacuation due to Caldor.  Sadly,  they decided the folks on the Nevada side also need to leave.  They said the Stateline casinos are exempt from the mandatory evacuation order, because the hotels attached to the casinos are housing a lot of the firefighters.

 

The ski resorts have put to use their snow making cannons.  These spray a mist over a large area.  It would help slow the fire at least.

 

This area hasn't had a large scale wildfire in 100 years, so lots and lots of dry fuel laying around.

 

The congregation has scattered to their various safe places.  We have the CO visit next week.

[Tortuga]

The local news said there is a site you can go to that will tell you if your property is okay. Have you heard that?

10 minutes ago, Doug said:

We have the CO visit next week.

Who is your CO?

[Doug]

1 minute ago, Tortuga said:

The local news said there is a site you can go to that will tell you if your property is okay. Have you heard that?

Yes.  This is their statement:  "Field damage inspection is still ongoing and subject to change. Data is subject to change as information is gathered and verified. The icons on the map indicate the current known status of the structure. If your structure is not identified by an icon, it has not yet been identified."

 

People are posting videos on YouTube.  That's where I'm getting the latest information. I'm not aware of any structure loss in the basin at this time.

[vern]

Some think its been delibrate...

[vern]

On 8/25/2021 at 10:45 AM, Tortuga said:

We were hoping to go to Apple Hill this year but with the Delta varient and the Caldor fire, I don't think we are going this year.

I love apple hill... Sadly its a shell of what it use to be... But good apples... And juice....  And if you find the vinegar vendor... Try the dill... Best i.ve had....

[Doug]

On 9/1/2021 at 1:31 PM, Tortuga said:

 

Who is your CO?

I missed this.   I couldn't spell it. It's a traditional Italian name.

 

This is how he helped us to remember:  First name -  Just like Gloria but without the G.    Second name -  Think of saying "I'm going to rent a video".  Now, substitute a 'g' for the 'v' in video.  

 

Loria Agideo.  His wife is Joanne, thank God!

 

[Tortuga]

1 hour ago, Doug said:

I missed this.   I couldn't spell it. It's a traditional Italian name.

 

This is how he helped us to remember:  First name -  Just like Gloria but without the G.    Second name -  Think of saying "I'm going to rent a video".  Now, substitute a 'g' for the 'v' in video.  

 

Loria Agideo.  His wife is Joanne, thank God!

 

How are you doing?

Are you able to go home?

[Lee49]

 

It's taking a dump! 😁

[Doug]

1 hour ago, Tortuga said:

How are you doing?

Are you able to go home?

Just received the message that, finally, my neighborhood has been moved back to "warning" status.  I will be back home tomorrow.  

 

When I checked-in to the hotel I said '2 nights'.   Tonight makes 14 nights !   I will always remember to be prepared for 2-3 weeks in the event of a major disaster.

 

Honestly, I would describe this as a real inconvenience, but no worse.  The house is still there.  The business is still there.  And didn't even miss a meeting.

 

 

[Tortuga]

17 minutes ago, Doug said:

I will always remember to be prepared for 2-3 weeks in the event of a major disaster.

Do you have any other advice?

[Doug]

5 hours ago, Doug said:

I missed this.   I couldn't spell it. It's a traditional Italian name.

 

This is how he helped us to remember:  First name -  Just like Gloria but without the G.    Second name -  Think of saying "I'm going to rent a video".  Now, substitute a 'g' for the 'v' in video.  

 

Loria Agideo.  His wife is Joanne, thank God!

 

lol  .   .    Something didn't feel right.  Then I realized I reversed his name.   It's Bro. Loria.    Agideo Loria

 

Can you imagine he would go through that whole bit at each congregation !

[Doug]

On 9/11/2021 at 7:34 PM, Tortuga said:

Do you have any other advice?

Actually,  I just finished a Zoom meeting that was hosted by the Commissioner of Insurance here in California.

 

I wasn't aware that the state would get involved between the homeowner and their insurance company to ensure the homeowner received everything they deserve under their policy. Also, there's a non-profit group called United Policy Holders and they do much the same.

 

I hope the friends who had a loss in the Paradise fire and the current rash of fires know about these resources.  I'm not sure if elders know about these resources.

 

 

[Tortuga]

45 minutes ago, Doug said:

hope the friends who had a loss in the Paradise fire and the current rash of fires know about these resources.  I'm not sure if elders know about these resources

I know an elder in the Elk Grove area that is an insurance advocate and does exactly what you describe. He was deeply involved in the Paradise Disaster Relief. My understanding is the DRC brothers at the highest level are well aware of the resources available and take the extra step to ensure the friends get the help they need.

Edited September 23, 2021 by Tortuga

[Tortuga]

13 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

DRC brothers at the highest level

Speaking of DRC, brother Tom Chieky had been the LDC overseer and was apparently overseeing DRC too, since they use LDC manpower. DRC was more of a desk than a department, however I was recently told that Tom Chieky is now the DRC overseer and Richard Devine is the LDC overseer. The brothers are obviously restructuring the organization to give more attention to DRC.

[Sequoia]

I posted earlier that Witness family in CA were evacuated.  They've been back home they were evacuated for over a month. They didn't lose their homes but seven families in their congregation did. 

[Doug]

Back to this topic:

 

Our congregation was invited to watch a special video from the branch for those affected by the wildfires.  From what I could tell, included in this meeting were those affected by the River, Fawn and Caldor fires.  130 congregations invited representing 13 circuits. I believe others here on this forum would have been included.

 

Speakers were Bro. Morris who serves on the US Branch committee (NOT Anthony Morris on the GB),  Bro. Ed Brewster, Cameron Edwards, Rob Thyarks (spelling phonetically) and Toby Clyman.

 

[Tortuga]

Very nice!

I know Cameron Edwards, he is a fantastic brother.

[Sequoia]

I have relatives who live in the mountains by Lake Almanor and it normally snows this time of year.  But it's in the 50's Fahrenheit and there are new fire warnings.

[Doug]

35 minutes ago, JW2017 said:

I have relatives who live in the mountains by Lake Almanor and it normally snows this time of year.  But it's in the 50's Fahrenheit and there are new fire warnings.

Our ski resorts normally open for the Thanksgiving weekend. Of course, they no longer count on natural snow. They can make enough snow for at least one run to open.  None are open yet and it looks like it will be a dry winter.