Saturday, November 15, 2008 started off like any other Saturday but soon turned into a surreal nightmare as our entire community was rocked by the dreaded combination of Santa Ana winds and fire. The blaze began, what I thought was miles away in Corona but soon spread across the hills moving rapidly westward through the hills adjacent to the Chino Hills State Park. I thought foolishly that it would never get down this far but as the tinder dry brush continued to fuel the fire it raced through Bryant Ranch then Hidden Hills across to the homes just off of Stonehaven and on to our development to wreak havac on the homes up at the top of Dorinda. It continued its westerly movement through the canyon above our house choosing at will which house would receive its fury and which would not. San Antonio was hit hard but the winds did not stop. Soon the entire city north of Yorba Linda Blvd. down to Bastanchury was evacuated. The fire continued to rage into Brea and over the hills of Chino Hills State Park to threaten and burn in Carbon Canyon and on into Diamond Bar. We were left in shock and dismay at the devastation in our community. Everyone you meet now has a fire story to tell. Some heroic, some shocking, some funny, but most are heart wrenching. Today at preschool a little 4 year old painted a deep purple picture and told me it was smoke and fire. She continued to tell me that some houses were on fire and that she had to get in her car with her mommy, and that Ariel her cat and Bosco the dog were there too. I was touched today as some of the parents at the preschool brought baskets of towels and toiletries to a mom of one of our students who lost his home. As I contemplate the many stories I've heard over the last few days and ponder on the events of my own experience I am filled with gratitude for an eternal perspective. All of our material possessions whether multimillion dollar possessions or modest can be turned into the same pile of rubble. Life can be the great equalizer and all our riches really lie in who we are and what kind of relationship we have with our brothers and sisters and our Savior.
From the top of San Antonio looking back towards our house
From the edge of Chino State Park at Stonehaven back towards Dorinda
Looking toward Hidden Hills (Pugmire's house)
Out the back kitchen window
The drainage ditch behind the house (Lake Redhead)
On Dorinda
Harns house
Pugmire
Just off Stonehaven
Conley's old house off Stonehaven
The house on the corner of Kirk and Christy's street
Flake's house in Hidden Hills
