It's that time of year again. In Oct. 2007 over 1500 homes went up in flames in San Diego. It wasn't close to us then, but now I understand the danger much better.
I left work a little early because of the Packer-Viking game (MNF starts at 5:15 on the West Coast). As I approached our Condo complex I saw smoke bellowing over the roofs. My wife had also just gotten home and we watched with amazement the canyon below going up in flames no more than 25 yards from our patio.
A neighbor had called 911 a few minutes before, but the 15 or so minutes prior to the SDFD arrival was tense. The fire spread amazingly fast. Large shrubs literally exploded into flames. The wind was blowing pretty hard in our direction, but seemed to wane and shift a little, which slowed its progress some.
We collected photos and valuables and got them in the car, ready to escape.
Fortunately, the SDFD came to the rescue in time. A fire helicopter did a couple of water drops, but it was the firefighters that saved the day.
Wow, close call!
I better get back to the second half. Go Pack!
UPDATE: Oh well. Brett and the Vikings will be at Lambeau on Nov. 1. It's a long season...
