No fires this time - Just lots of pine needles to sweep up

We were on high alert for 2 days in case any wildfires started near us but lucked out this time perhaps because of so many fires the last 2 fire seasons. The high alert is because of the so called Santa Ana winds elsewhere called Diablo winds.

It simply means very high sustained winds blowing towards the coast and capable of causing fast moving fires. The names come from earlier California residents seeing the winds seeming to come out of canyons with the names above. Actually has to do with large sustained air pressure systems.

Anyway, the fires that do start are terrifying because they can spread so fast, far and unpredictably as the winds occur during our dry season when the mountains and canyon vegetation is tinder dry. Even an embers carried far by the wind can start a new fire. That makes it very difficult to get them under control and put out.

So far this year it has been other areas that have caught fire. The latest is two fires to break out in Orange County quite a ways south of us. Fire season isn’t over but the winds have stopped for now thank goodness. And the pine needles swept off the roof and drive.

Living with wildfire risk

We have been talking about how to address my fear of wildfires - basically a fear of not being able to get away from them in time. It is interesting that once I had my earthquake survival kit packed and water, etc. stocked up at home I really don't worry about earthquakes. They just happen and then it is over and you have to deal with the consequences.

A wildfire though is in a definable place with the winds either sending it towards you or not. Roads can only take so many cars at once as people evacuate.

So how often do you pack up and leave when not at immediate risk? I wanted to leave when the Easy fire (Reagan Library adjacent) started even though it was a ways away. The risk was that options for driving away would be limited if 2 freeways were closed instead of just the one that was closed immediately. The winds were blowing our way.

We came home after one night and then that very same evening the Maria fire started even closer to us but the winds were not likely to send it our way. Hubby suggested I pack for evacuation before going to bed and have my cell phone near me to get any evacuation alert so that is what  I did.

I'm learning to understand wind patterns. I need to learn more routes the leave in addition to major ones. We are considering whether or not for the car to be gone all day when one of us is at home. I need to figure out how to have our and the dog's meds packed and ready to go while rotating them so they are current. The dog needs food too and we need a change of clothes at least.  That goes beyond earthquake preparedness because usually you don't have to leave in the earthquake scenario.

I found this great Wildfire And Emergency Go Kit article and will be working on getting everything together for it as well as making it supplement out earthquake supplies with are basically food and water.

So that is the plan. Any additional ideas?