DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS DIARY. RECOMMEND LIVEBLOG MOTHERSHIP
Go to -- Liveblog #24
Welcome to the fourth day of 24/7 liveblog coverage of the fires in Southern California provided by the DKos community. If you are able to, please include information on evacuations, closures/openings, and fire-fighting progress in your comments.
Are things getting better yet? The wind appears to be dying down somewhat, which would help the firefighters more than anything else, so that's a good sign.
Please do not post pictures (they slow things down too much) or frivolous comments. If you are here to mock, gloat, blame the victims or give us your philosophical meanderings about the meaning of wildfires, go play with other trolls. We've only had to troll-rate one person to oblivion so far, but boy was it fun.
Please use the first comment to post updates. Responses to the first comment should be updates only.
Lots of information flying back and forth today. Phone and electrical grids are under stress, so please wait to make any unnecessary calls. Keep cell phone lines open for emergency workers. Previous diaries and comments have suggested text messaging instead of making an actual call.
Try text messaging rather than cellphone calls, since texting uses far less network resources. Text messages might go through when cell calls won't. However, to reach 911, you have to make a phone call. Text messages can be pricey depending on the plan you have with your cellphone service provider, but should be used during emergencies to limit stress on resources.
Many of the websites have been reported to be overwhelmed, so please do not visit a particular website if you do not need to.
EVACUATION TIPS:
If you have time to pack - what to bring:
-Important documents (Social Sec cards, birth certificates, passports)
-Legal & financial records (Deeds, wills, bank info, insurance papers)
-Address book
-Irreplaceable items (photographs, heirlooms)
-Clothing & toiletries
-Medications
-Radio & flashlight
-Linens, towels
-Laptop, PDA (and charger)
-Cell phone, camera (and chargers)
SDG&E asks that you do NOT turn off your gas when you leave unless you smell gas.
Lock up your house - they were some issues with looting during the Cedar Fire evacuations
CALLING ALL CALIFORNIA KOSSACKS: Rollcall & Prayers: Please check in if you are able to - we're concerned about you.
LINKS FOR DONATIONS:
San Diego Humane Society
San Diego Foundation
Salvation Army of San Diego (The Salvation Army is taking volunteers and donations. Among other things, they are taking volunteers to help feed the firefighters. Go to www.sandiego.salvationarmy.org, or call 1-866-I'LL HELP, or their Divisional Headquarters at 2320 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 619-231-6000. Please fill out the attached form and send to Mr. Tracy Emis at Tracy_Emis@usw.salvationarmy.org or call him at 619-231-6001.)
Red Cross Any donations made to the American Red Cross in support of San Diego fire recovery efforts should be made payable to "American Red Cross San Diego Fire" city officials said, to ensure the money will be used for local fire recovery efforts only.
Noah's Wish These are the amazing folks who show up to rescue any animals in need during disasters. They are headed to Southern California now.
Kossack JessicaDrewSW has compiled an amazing amount of information with numbers and/or links in his diary: Free services & More for CA fire victims
CALL FOR SKILLED VOLUNTEERS:
Doctors, Nurses, Cetrified Teachers Needed
Volunteers should log on to Volunteer San Diego and register if they wish to assist in providing medical services to victims. Once on the site, they will be able to register the skills they can provide and a coordinator will assist them in getting certified and assigned to a location.
Qualcomm: ACLS certified doctors and nurses for the night shift in their makeshift ER; Desperate need of night shift MDs, cardiologist doctors and critical care nurses
LOCAL DONATIONS/SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Community Resource Center – Encinitas
650 Second St
760-733-1156
9 am – 5 pm
Needs: toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash; non-perishable food, such as canned goods, breakfast bars, juice boxes and bottled water; blankets, towels and pillows. (h/t to Thebes)
New Song Community Church – Oceanside
3985 Mission Avenue
560-5000
Needs: Bedding, cots, toiletries, baby formula, nonperishable foods including chips, drinks and other items. (h/t to noweasels)
Mission Bay Park – thru 7:30 pm
Supplied to be distributed to Qualcomm Stadium and Del Mar Fairgrounds
Needs: blankets, flashlights, batteries, cots, sleeping bags, tents, hygiene products, canned goods, bottled water and money. (h/t to Thebes)
ANIMAL INFORMATION:
Humane Society's latest info on animals
To ensure that all evacuees are receiving accurate information, please provide the following updates to pet owners in need during evacuations:
The San Diego Humane Society's Animal Rescue Reserve (ARR) team is currently working with the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services to evacuate domestic animals and livestock threatened by the Harris and Witch Creek fires with first priority being given to evacuation areas in Rancho Bernardo. Over the last two days, officers, staff and volunteers have evacuated more than 400 animals and are actively assisting more than 1,000 animals at our shelter locations throughout the county. However, experts estimate that between 10,000-15,000 animals have been displaced countywide.
Currently we are not able to assist or escort individuals into burned areas.
All resources are active at this time in areas needing immediate evacuation.
If you have animals or livestock that you cannot evacuate yourself or that need to be rescued, call (619) 236-4250 and press "1" for emergency services.
OPEN ANIMAL EVACUATION SITES: The following sites are open for animals and are being supplied by the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services and San Diego Humane Society:
Small Animals Only:
Qualcomm Stadium -- 9449 Friars Road
Most Red Cross Evacuation Centers
Large Animals
Fiesta Island (will accept small animals as well) Lakeside Rodeo Grounds is currently only available for animals being evacuated by County of San Diego or Humane Society officers and is not available for public animal drop off.
Space in Thermal and Indio is available as a back-up site. Call (760)
399-2716 for information.
If you have a stable or other areas that can house a number of large animals and livestock that need to be evacuated, please call the San Diego Humane Society at (619) 299-7012.
The San Diego Humane Society is asking for donations of the following items:
Cash donations to support rescue efforts.
Pop-up tents for shade and shelter
Lead ropes for livestock
Broodmore halters
Cash donations can be made online at www.sdhumane.org or by calling (619) 299-7012. Items may be brought directly to the San Diego Humane Society campus at 5500 Gaines Street.
Volunteers are not needed at this time, but the San Diego Humane Society is keeping a list of names for people interested in helping.
Residents that need to evacuate their homes are asked to take all companion animals with them. If possible, place your pet in a crate or carrier and bring any necessary supplies including leashes, food, water, and medications as supplies at evacuation centers may be limited. More tips can be found online at www.sdhumane.org.
Tijuana Valley Equestrian Association: 619-920-1282, John Gabaldon TVEA members will help to place horses in private ranches in the Tijuana River Valley area. The association has placed 200 horses and has room for more. For information, evacuees with horses can contact John Gabaldon, the chairman of the Tijuana Valley Equestrian Association at (619) 920-1282, and he will provide directions to the location of the corrals.
Should you find a wild animal in distress, and not know who to call for help, WildRescue operates a phone hotline for the Southern California area. The hotline, (866) WILD-911, can help you find the wildlife rescue center that serves your area.
LiveBlog Volunteer List:
Part 1. Miss Blue-Mothership
Part 2. gchaucer2
Part 3. Steve Singiser
Part 4. Moody Loner
Part 5. condoleaser
Part 6. Remembering Jello
Part 7. va dare
Part 8. 4Freedom
Part 9. Marcus Tullius
Part 10. joanneleon
Part 11. brklyngrl
Part 12. SallyCat
Part 13. Karen Wehrstein
Part 14. Lychee
Part 15. jancw
Part 16. gchaucer2
Part 17. gizmo59
Part 18. The MomCat
Part 19. pucklady
Part 20. Remembering Jello
Part 21. Ninepatch
Part 22. condoleaser
23. Karen Wehrstein -- here is where you is
- Pluto
- Over the Edge
- jeremybloom
- creeper
- Moody Loner
- khloemi
- CatfishBlue
- madhaus
EMERGENCY INFORMATION LINKS & NUMBERS:
Please DO NOT click these links unless you are in the area and need the emergency information. The servers are being over-taxed as it is. Check the diary for all new info.
MEDIA:
CNN Watch Live
CNN Send an I-report (E-mail: ireport@cnn.com. CNN page devoted to live reports including invitations for evacuees to leave messages for their families.)
Fox6 San Diego Fire and Evac Info
Google Fire Map
Google News
KLSD 1360 AM San Diego
KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles
KPBS News w/maps
KPBS Twitter
KPBS Radio livestream Call In Line: 1-888-895-KPBS (5727)
LA Daily News
LA Times Google Map
NBC San Diego
News 8 San Diego
North County Times San Diego and Riverside counties coverage
POGO: KLSD - Clear Channel Feed
Sign on San Diego.com
Village News Fallbrook/Bonsall/Pala fire coverage
The Weather Channel
PUBLIC SERVICES & NON-MEDIA:
211 San Diego (be patient - overwhelmed)
Air Quality Reports
California Fire News
Camp Pendelton
CHP Traffic Info
Deaf Community Services of San Diego Update videos in ASL
Help San Diego Blog provided by San Diego Union-Tribune
National Interagency Fire Center
NOAA Weather Homepage
NWS Southern California Fire Weather
NWS Southern California Overview
Red Cross Disaster Services
Red Cross Safe & Well - Search or leave messages
San Bernadino Fire Information
San Diego County Emergency Homepage
San Diego County Official Website - list of destroyed/damaged homes
San Diego Fires Info
San Diego Zoo Fire Updates
Santa Clarita Emergency Page
Santiago Canyon Fire Map
Verizon free call-forwarding services
Witch Fire Google Map
LOCAL PHONE NUMBERS:
for Escondido - will handle queries about returning home
Animal Evacuations: 818-991-0071
Animal Rescue: 619-299-0871, 619-236-4250
Buckweek, Canyon Fire: 323-881-2411
Camp Pendleton 866-430-2764
Coronado Hills Fire: 619-590-3160
Escondido 760-839-6262
Grass Valley Fire: 909-383-5688
Harris, Rice, McCoy Fire: 619-590-3160
Irvine: 714-628-7085
KPBS Call In Line: 1-888-895-KPBS (5727)
Malibu: 310-456-2489
Ranch Fire: 626-574-5208
Riverside: 909.988.3650
Roca Fire: 951-940-6985
San Diego Community Access: 619-570-1070
Santa Clarita Evacuations: 661-295-6366
Santiago Fire: 714-573-6200
Sedgewick Fire: 805-681-5546
Slide and Witch: Fire 619-590-3160
US Forest Line: 626-574-5208
MENTAL HEALTH:
Mental Health America: 619-543-0412
SD Psychological Asscociation: 619-297-4825
Crisis Line: 1-800-479-3339
FREE PHONE SERVICES: (h/t gchaucer2)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO & AP) -- One phone company is helping you communicate with your loved ones during this fire emergency for free. AT&T California will provide free voicemail and forwarding features for the next 30 days for displaced existing customers and small businesses.
The Line Connection Fee will be waived for customers who need to hook up a temporary landline.
Here are the numbers to get more information: - Residential Customers: 877.722.6787 - Small Business: 800.750.2355
And Verizon is offering free call forwarding
CLEAN UP INFO:
Ash deposited on indoor and outdoor surfaces near the fire is relatively non-toxic and is similar to ash that might be found in your fireplace. However, any ash:
*may be irritating to the skin, especially sensitive skin
*will contain small amounts of cancer-causing chemicals
*can be irritating to the nose and throat if breathed, and may cause coughing
*may trigger asthmatic attacks in people who already have asthma.
In order to avoid possible health problems, the following is recommended:
·Do not allow children to play in the ash or with unwashed toys.
·Clean ash off house pets.
·Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to avoid skin contact.
·If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.
·Rinse homegrown fruit or vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
·Avoid disseminating ash into the air; do not use leaf blowers or non-HEPA filter vacuums.
·Wear well-fitting dust masks; those rated N-95 or P-100 provide better protection than simple dust or surgical masks (persons with heart or lung disease should consult a physician before using a mask).
·Gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wet mopping is usually best.
·A damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed on lightly dusted areas; if ash is wet down, use as little water as possible
·The Regional Water Control Quality Board asks that you avoid washing ash into storm drains if possible.
·Collected ash may be disposed of in your regular trash collection. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed.
Ash and any debris inside burned structures may contain more toxic substances than forest fire ash because of the many synthetic and other materials present in buildings, requiring a cautious approach. Older buildings in particular may contain asbestos and lead.
Blessings and all good thoughts to everyone facing down these fires, fleeing from these fires, and those extending their hands to help, especially all of the Kossacks who have been liveblogging this national disaster since 9:36 PDT Oct 21 when Barbara got us started.
Personal note: I'm honoured to help once again as a community comes together in the face of disaster. At one time in my life, fire was my worst nightmare... a phobia which has only died down in recent years. I can only imagine how all of you down in San Diego and surrounds must feel, especially those who've seen your home burned, or can't know whether it has or not... there must be more than a million of you now. My healing intent is coming your way!
Love & peace,
Karen