So far, it looks like our California peeps were physically safe at the end of yesterday, but some are facing terrible losses.
It looks like UncleEb and BigJimSlade have lost their homes. Please let us know what we can do to help. With so many homes being lost, how do you find a place to stay?
What’s the expectation for today? Have the crazy winds died down?
Hoping our California peeps can stay safe and will check in with us!
Edit: I keep hoping against hope that one or both of those houses miraculously didn’t burn after all.
Never would I be so happy to be wrong.
Kay
Yes pls let us know. We’d like to help.
Raven
My brother lives in Sherman Oaks and my sis in Hawthorne. They are safe. My SIL works at a hotel in Beverly Hills and they are swamped.
narya
The front page of the LA Times has an article about what to do next/first if your home or business is destroyed. Although it’s too late for folks who’ve had to evacuate already, another thing I’ve read recently is that it’s a good idea to just video every room/space to document your belongings.
Ramalama
Oh God Oh God I saw some footage finally – and feel for all of youse in Los Angeles and environs.
My aunt in Santa Barbara is far enough away.
Is it a thing that everyone in California have a Go Bag? A high school friend of my wife’s (from Montreal) lives in Santa Monica. When wife mentioned a Go Bag to her two days ago, the friend laughed. We’re not sure if she laughed like so: yes of course everyone’s got one ready. Or perhaps the friend thought it was my wife doing her thing, the drama of every situation heightened.
Elizabelle
Oh, Uncle Ebeneezer and BigJimSlade, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your homes.
Do let us know how we can help.
suzanne
This is terrible news. Please check in.
Thank you, WaterGirl.
Scout211
GoFundMe has a section specifically for wildfire relief non-profits and for individuals and families affected. Can we help jackals who have been affected? GoFundMe says they verify the GoFundMe accounts set up for individuals and families.
Can we do this?
Elizabelle
Please put up a Jimmy Carter funeral thread. Thank you.
TaMara
Thinking of everyone! Horrible news about UncleEb and BigJimSlade.
Something we learned from the Marshall fire devastation here, if you want to give, if you can find someone to give it to directly, it makes a huge impact.
While financial aid takes time in many cases, if you can directly help a family with essentials, it makes a few dollars have a huge impact. We knew people who, unfortunately, lost everything. In the midst of chaos, simple things are difficult, so we brought them dog food, leashes, bowls, and toys. Once they were in a new location, we helped them with a few kitchen essentials, bedding…they were too shellshocked to shop for any of this. The restaurants I work with gave their customers who were affected a place to hang out (with their pets) and gift cards for free food and drink. We used these locations as a collection area for several families we had “adopted.”
I know that doesn’t work if you’re far away, but if you’re close and unaffected, it makes a huge impact. These same folks waited over a year for all those donated funds to be distributed and the hoops they had to jump through. Fuck.
Our system is so broken.
TaMara
@Ramalama: Earthquakes. It’s always recommended to have a go bag. And in our cars, a simple kit – including solid shoes (in case you’re in dress shoes or heels when the quake hits).
To this day, living in CO, I still have a go bag in my car – it carries essentials like a warm jacket, sneakers, socks – I keep meaning to add a fire blanket. Maybe I’ll do that today.
Melancholy Jaques
I am fine in West LA. Concerned for some friends who are adjacent to evacuation zones – according to the map I see the LA Times website. Have not yet heard from them.
Almost Retired
The winds have died down – at least for the moment. Lots of power outages in the Valley. As of now, I have 8 friends or professional colleagues who have lost their homes (that I know of so far). The air quality continues to suck, so it’s a festival of phlegm around my house. My sister and her husband live about 150 miles north of here in the Santa Ynez Valley, so we’re going up there tomorrow for clean air (and possible wine tasting). Donating to the California Community Foundation for now, until a better option arises.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@TaMara:
Just another example of that:
https://x.com/NeighborhoodsSF/status/1877178211559190721
LA real estate gazillionaire:
Reading that, I have much more sympathy for the people I mentioned in the other thread who were ignoring the evacuation order so they could “douse” their almost-totally-torched house with a garden hose.
tobie
So sorry to hear the devastating news about Uncle Ebeneezer’s and BigJimSlade’s homes. I had a friend who lost her home in a fire once. She said it felt like her memories went up in smoke. Awful. Please let us know what we can do to help. Stay safe, SoCal peeps.
Elizabelle
@TaMara: Ever since living in CA, I always have lots of bottled fresh water on hand, and cash in small bills.
Old Man Shadow
I’m still fine.
But thank you. In this coming age where California is hated by the loudest voices screaming through the media, hearing from decent people who care about folks in this state is nice.
If you’ve lost your home, we’re probably the last thing on your mind right now, but if you need us, please let us know.
Soprano2
Such a horrible, horrible event. It’s so disgusting that TCFG and all the right-wingers are using it for politics rather than trying to help people. So, so sorry Uncle Eb and Big Jim Slade for the loss of your homes. What a horrible thing to have to go through, glad you’re safe. Please let us know how we can help.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@Scout211:
My credit card is standing by to help fellow commenters like Uncle Eb and Big Jim. I don’t have a house to put them in so in good ole ‘Murkin fashion, I’m ready to throw money at the issue.
Doug R
@Elizabelle:
I used to stockpile a gallon or so of filtered water and the water main break here in Calgary has made save a few 15l jugs as well.
Dangerman
My Family is all fine in the Inland Empire. The Old Waterman Fire (2003?) damn near took them but so far, so good in that area. I think Old Waterman was arson and Dude went away because people died. Not sure. That area burns regularly. Maybe those act almost as control burns.
UncleEbeneezer
I think we are leaning towards finally moving elsewhere. We love LA but have been wanting to move for awhile. My wife works remotely for Paramount and I can teach tennis (or do something else) anywhere, so really it’s just the challenge of figuring out where and how to do it. I have family in Denver and Greenville SC. Neither are our dream destinations but could be good stepping stone options. But we are also managing three cats, two of which are semi-feral and NOT HAPPY about being indoors, in cage/carriers, especially with insane levels of stress since Monday night. Trying to take things one step at a time but there are so many steps. We have renters insurance but the agents office burned down. One cat probably has a UTI and two need sedation at night, but our Vets office likely burned down. It’s a lot…
Scout211
@UncleEbeneezer: I’m so sorry, Uncle E. If you or someone you know can set up a GoFundMe and post a link here, there are many of us ready to help.
WaterGirl
@UncleEbeneezer: Remind me where you are right now, today?
And what you need, right now?
UncleEbeneezer
@Soprano2: That’s the cherry on the shit-flavored cake. Hearing that GOP are using our tragedy to be racist, assholes…not at all surprising but infuriating nonetheless. Tho honestly I don’t even have the energy for that aspect right now. But yeah, fucking deplorable, especially since we support Karen Bass supporters.
UncleEbeneezer
@WaterGirl: we are safe at a friends house in Pasadena. Trying to figure out next steps. Thanks for these posts.
WaterGirl
@UncleEbeneezer: Did you see my edit to the post, asking what you need right now?
Betty Cracker
Jesus, how horrible. I hope we are able to help somehow.
Sure Lurkalot
Uncle Ebeneezer and BigJimSlade, I am so sad to hear about the loss of your homes, please reach out to this community for help when you need it.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
Best fire map I’ve found:
https://calfire-forestry.maps.arcgis.com/home/webscene/viewer.html?webscene=0a7381c8b46b4e26a057383424f32c06
VFX Lurker
My heart goes out to UncleEbeneezer and BigJimSlade. Terrible news about the loss of their homes.
I’ve lived out here since 1999, and I still haven’t put together a proper go bag. I will make one later this year.
Power went out for six hours Tuesday night, and broadband Internet was down from Wednesday morning until noon. So far, my household has been lucky.
A friend in South Pasadena received a notice this morning to not drink the tap water at this time. He lives closer to the Eaton Fire.
tam1MI
Sending out all the good vibes I have to Uncle Eb and Big Jim, and to everyone else affected by those horrible fires.
CaseyL
I’ve lived in my house for nearly 30 years, and can barely imagine the shock if it were to be gone within a day and I was left rudderless in the world.
My heart goes out to Uncle Ebeneezer and BigJimSlade. Do please let us know how we can help.
Sandia Blanca
An article in the LA Times yesterday described the efforts of one veterinarian, Annie Harvilicz, to house animals at her “empty old vet hospital in marina del Rey”; she said “her hospitals can also treat pets with injuries and there is extra food and bedding for the animals that need them.” She has a foundation that is raising funds to help care for affected animals.
Sister Golden Bear
@comrade scotts agenda of rage:
Watch Duty also has good maps and info posted by volunteers monitoring the radio traffic.
Cal Fire’s incidents page also has info, although it may be a little sparser since these are not directly under Cal Fire’s jurisdiction and they’re relaying info from other agencies. But if you drill down to the “status reports” link, you’ll see pretty detailed info.
Small bit of good news is that the Sunset fire evacuations were lifted because they were able to stop the wildfire, although it’s not listed as actually contained (meaning they haven’t surrounded it firebreaks).
And yes, go-bag are a thing, albeit more as part of quake prep. Not everyone has them, but emergency services folks routinely remind people they should have them.
Kay
We started vacationing in California when our three older children were gone and we just had the youngest. LA is my favorite CA city (of the ones I’ve visited ) because it’s so big and varied and colorful and noisy. Also people were always really friendly to us, especially to my son who was an awkward Ohio preteen and a little overwhelmed.
Last year we went to Yosemite and then Sacramento instead of LA and it was lovely but not as much fun.
I hope you-all can rebuild.
zhena gogolia
@UncleEbeneezer: We are with you in spirit and ready to help.
pieceofpeace
@Elizabelle: Yes, please do.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
Will Rodgers’s historic house is now just chimneys:
https://x.com/chrissgardner/status/1877118500302704714
Elizabelle
@UncleEbeneezer: Ah, the pets. It never ends.
I can see you liking Colorado. Greenville is beautiful too, but, South Carolina ….
rikyrah
@UncleEbeneezer:
So sorry for all that you’ve lost. Thank goodness your family is safe.
KatKapCC
I am just so sorry and so horrified. Almost anyone in CA can feel this viscerally, though I’ve never been caught up in one this bad. Would be nice to see if some of the billionaires in this country could pony up to help people. Ha ha. I won’t hold my breath.
Nelle
@TaMara: When I lived in New Zealand, I had solid sole, slip on shoes under my side of the bed, so I could jump into them if an earthquake struck while I was in bed.
Ruckus
We have 4 major fires in LA county. I live in the north east side of LA county about 25 miles from the Hurst fire and about 45-50 miles from the Sunset fire. I used to live within 2-3 miles or so of the Hurst fire. The Eaton fire smoke is massively visible from where I live and about 10-15 miles away.
I rather doubt that many of the folks in SoCal right now are not worried about fire. We have 4 major ones wide spread in the county happening right now and a lot of people are losing/have lost everything.
Fair Economist
@UncleEbeneezer:
OMG. The nutso problems from this level of devastation.
Ruckus
I am so sorry for anyone losing their home and belongings.
I do not remember when if ever we’ve had this level of damage/destruction by fire in LA county. The Northridge earthquake was not kind to a lot of people either and is the closest event I can think of in my lifetime that has been in this realm of damage and in some ways this is worse. The 16 large earthquakes in CA since 1857 also gets one’s attention. But there is even less that we can do about them.
Sometimes we forget that we are effectively visitors to this planet and that it can be a hard place to exist on.
Princess
@UncleEbeneezer: I don’t know if you’ll see this but I wanted to say: I have one semi feral so I deeply, deeply empathize with what you’re going through with two right now under these conditions. I know it’s probably not your worst problem but I also know exactly what kind of problem it is. I hope Gabapentin might work on them, and I hope you might find a vet who could call in an order.
Trollhattan
@comrade scotts agenda of rage:
That’s really good.
BBC Visual team has compiled a good set of images and maps, including some frankly horrifying before/after sat image sliders.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg525q2ggl4o
An ironic benefit I think, for the Malibu area is their December fire will have consumed all the fuel in its footprint, that otherwise would have been available to the Palisades Fire.
FelonyGovt
Fine here in Manhattan Beach but I know so many people who have had to evacuate and several who have lost their homes. Nerves are frayed. Uncle Ebeneezer, my heart hurts for you, and I hope you will tell us what we can do.
We here in LA County appreciate everyone’s concern. As
@Old Man Shadow says, it’s nice to know that decent people empathize and that not everyone hates California and the people in it.
MTCinVA
@UncleEbeneezer: I’m so sorry for the loss of your home and am relieved that you and the cats are safe, but can understand how difficult it is to care for them. I have some extra gabapentin and a spare litter box from when I moved my kitties here to Burbank. Please let me know if I can help.
John Smallberries
We’re down by Long Beach so no fire near us. But the winds and smoke set off a serious asthma attack in my wife so we’ve been in the hospital for the past few days. At lunch the winds had shifted and we’re under the edge of the Eaton fire cloud so if they let her go today we’re gonna be indoors for a few.
my wife’s niece works with a dog rescue that got burned but it appears the dogs may be OK.
🐾BillinGlendaleCA
My power came back on about an hour ago, now I can eat.
Ruckus
My best buddy of over 50 yrs lives right next to the Hurst fire. He and his wife have gone to his brother’s house well out of the fire zone area. This is not his first fire in this area, they lost their home to a big fire a few years ago.
The Eaton fire is around 8-10 miles from where I live. There is a 3 story parking lot across the street from me and I just went there and up to the top to check out what it looks like now from yesterday. It is still going strong. The entire horizon looks smoky but there is quite a bit more smoke coming off the fire now than yesterday.
something fabulous
I am fine (comparatively) in East Hollywood. My poor friend in the Palisades learned this morning she lost absolutely everything: worked remotely from home so everything-everything. And now seeing all this madness of people somehow blaming the mayor? for being out of the country? Meanwhile, out of an abundance of caution, the rescue i volunteer with decided to vacate all 60+ cats & kittens and found temporary fosters for all of them among our volunteers, in an hour. Humans, so wonderful and horrible.
UncleEbeneezer
@Princess: Thanks. My wife takes gabapentin so we were able to confirm with a vet that we can give our big kitty a 1/2 of one and it would be safe. We will definitely try tonight :)
UncleEbeneezer
@MTCinVA: People have been AMAZING. All the people at stores, insurance adjusters etc. Everybody GETS IT and are doing their best for each other.
something fabulous
@UncleEbeneezer: So glad to hear it! So sorry all you’re going through. Jackal Strong! Or something.
Tehanu
We live in mid-city L.A. so have no problems, but we have several friends who are either evacuated or in evac. warning areas, and our son & family in Glendale are suffering from horrible air quality. Uncle Eb and Big Jim, I’m so sorry to hear about your homes. My niece lost her home in the Santa Rosa fire a few years back and it took her & her partner almost two years to rebuild, but they did and they say now that tough as it was, they got through … so I hope you recover as well as they did, and sooner.