Today started like any other but things changed when my friend Tina called me from Yorba Linda. There was a big fire burning very near her! I had no idea, from Fullerton, everything seemed ok....Until I went outside.
Not one but two big fires are burning in North Orange County. We see it all the time on the news but this time it is right in my own back yard. Homes in the neighborhoods that I have lived in and showed property are up in flames. Dozens of homes are on fire. I am scared for some of my friends.
This isn't your rural fire. This is suburbia. Here are pictures from my house. I am about five miles from one fire and about 10 miles from another. It has jumped over two 
freeways.
I had to take my son out on an errand and I could not believe the scores of people out and about at a park that is in the peak of Fullerton (Brea and Bastanchury). They were taking pictures of the chaos. You could see the flames as we drove. There was so much traffic but not going away from the fire but heading right toward it. Were people going to look at it or heading toward it to get their belongings? The lanes leading away were empty.
When I got home, the news was reporting that people were actually heading towards the fires. PLEASE people, make it easy for the firefighters; get out of the way.
I know many of my friends in the Midwest have their tornadoes and to the South it is hurricanes. Well here in So Cal, we have Santa Anas that kick up dry hot wind. Since we live in the desert, this is a deadly disaster. October is usually the month we worry but we are much later this year.
The fire department is doing the best they can but can not protect all the homes. I can't believe it but I am pretty sure that I saw my friend's home on the news. She lives in the beautiful hills of Yorba Linda and it was fully engulfed. I am saying prayers and hoping that everyone gets out safely. The fire is heading towards Placentia. It is so hard to just sit here and be helpless. I have so many friends in Placentia. I use to live there. This is the closest I can ever remember one of these fires being.
Cristal Drake - Fullerton Area Realtor - Re/Max North Orange County - 714-423-7525
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