Living in Orange County, California can be a great place for weather, however we have 2 natural disasters that hit us every other year or so. Southern California has earthquakes and wildfires. These past few days have been troublesome for many Southern California homeowners. Currently there are 14 fires, at which most of the causes are unknown. My home in Orange County is safe, however I can see the fires and smoke along the freeway. The smell of ash in the air gives you a sense of insecurity as the sky is covered in this brown musky haze. But living through many fires in Southern California, I know that everything will be okay in a few days.
So, how does it become so dangerous?
California has always been known to have dry brush and small fires. With the growing population, California home builders set new locations building homes in regions closer to these areas. These new homes stop the natural flow of water, they are like grids that will lock up the irrigation of rain. So these dry areas become even more dry. This build up of dry brush become an abundant source of fuel to burn when the winds are high on a hot day.
Safety
A few of my friends have had to evacuate from San Diego, packing their documents, pictures, and priceless items. I hope everyone will be safe during these fires. Let’s pray for everyones safety.


[source: OC Register]
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October 23rd, 2007 at 8:38 am
I really feel for those out there. I hate to be insensitive, but it’s almost as if the earth’s telling us there are certain places we shouldn’t be living in. The resilience of those folks is amazing though. Quite a few of the interviews I’ve seen are from folks that have rebuilt time and time again because of these fires (the last major one I think was in 2003?). I know here in north central Florida we had our own issues with the Florida-Georgia fire, but I don’t think it compares to the hell they’re going through in So. Cal. Hope they all remain safe!
October 24th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Very used to the fires coming from Australia and getting pretty used to regular Earthquakes now i`m living in Japan.
October 24th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
I’m right in the thick of it and man has it been bad. The other night I could see the flames on top of a mountain clearly from my house. My roommate and I went to go check it out and took this picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeradkaliher/1715335420/