It has been so hard to post blogs these last few days. Communications have been very personal: Telephone calls (friends, family and clients) and emails have dominated free time.

Active Rain's Sharon Filbig of Escondido was evacuated and is staying in Orange County. She emailed this morning, wondering what is going on. I responded with an update--which I will share with you here. These are more random notes than any kind of blog. We still don't have an accurate picture of the total disaster--or a tally of losses. (Sorry for lack of photos. I am on the Mac and have trouble uploading. They will follow.)

 
The coastal areas (Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, etc) are off evacuation advisement. Olivenhain has reopened to residents only and ID will be checked.

I-5 is closed, however, at Camp Pendleton because of a backfire that got out of control and jumped the freeway. Traffic is stalled for miles.

I-15 is open for north/south travel. Coastal breezed may be helping the situation in Fallbrook, which is still evacuated. I spoke with Alonzo Castro (First American Title) yesterday afternoon. He lives in Fallbrook and is one of around 10 percent who stayed behind. He said the air is terrible.

Jamul is now under evacuation orders. Flames from the Harris Fire in one of the areas there are 500 feet tall.

Military resources have provided some amazing assistance in fighting the fires--especially in aircraft resources. It is phenomenal to see these helicopters dropping thousands of gallons of water onto the fires.

Hotels are at 100 percent capacity, but perhaps that will ease as people are allowed to return home.

I think the rental market is going to become a real squeeze in San Diego County, and that our local economy will thrive.

No new fire-related deaths in the last 48 hours. That is a blessing.

Compare to Katrina Disaster: 500,000 people evacuated (more than Katrina), thousands of structures destroyed, little looting, and awesome response from police, fire, volunteers and community leaders--and now the military.  Separate shelters are even being set up for pets and larger animals. Boarding (as reported) is free until November 5.

Corporate donations have been remarkable.

I am so proud of San Diego County--and how so many have responded so well.

What is that saying: Grass grows greener after a prairie fire....

Let's pray for rain.