Witch Fire Monday Afternoon Update

For the benefit of those we know in other parts of the country and other parts of the world, we are still safe. Areas of San Diego that were previously thought safe are now being evacuated. Specifically, Scripts Ranch (where a lot of homes burned during the Cedar fire) is being evacuated. This area was thought to be safe earlier today. If the fire goes through Scripts Ranch, there is a good chance we will have to leave Mira Mesa. Just heard on the news that two thirds of the population of San Diego county has now been evacuated.

Right now there is a good breeze here in Mira Mesa, but no really strong winds at the moment. Near us, there is not as much ash in the air as there was this morning. Currently the fires are north of us in Del Dios, where a mandatory evacuation is underway, and east of us in Poway (the east side near Ramona), where evacuations have started. There are a few more photos taken from Mira Mesa earlier today now on Flickr:

A lot of smokey haze to the east

Ash in the pool

Winds are expected to decrease a bit overnight, but remain strong. Here are a couple more local references sites, for those outside the area:

I have spoken to Suzanne in Belarus. She has no access to mass media, so didn’t know anything about the fires here. She is doing okay there, and is anxious to get home later this week. Thanks for all the calls. I even received a call from family in France a little while ago. Wish we were famous for another reason right now.