It seems as if the worst of the fire in our area (the Easy Fire if you want to look it up) is under control. Part of it is that the wind has dropped. Mandatory evacuations in many areas have ended, power has been restored, and all might be right with the world. The air is cold and smells fresh, just a tang of wood smoke in it, unlike yesterday morning when the house was filled with it. We went for a walk last night, finally able to get out of the house without howling winds, and the sky was clear and bright. Yesterday was surreal. I can only imagine what it might be for people who return to neighborhoods devastated by fires, or those who live through an invasion of their country and find their lives totally overturned.
We spent yesterday morning packing things up. Josh doesn’t have the collections I have, so his packing was pretty straightforward. On the other hand, I had to sort through things, deciding what to take, deciding what to leave. Making those choices is actually rather draining mentally. It forces you to think about what you value. Luckily, nothing happened, but what if? Very strange in my rather settled life.
Fires and natural catastrophes are unavoidable, but the older I get, the more I am sick of the winds and fires of California. I talk about moving, but the fact is, I won’t. We are settled here with family and friends and a job (Josh). In some ways, we are lucky we chose where we moved 13 years ago, but it was luck, not careful planning around potential natural disasters. We are in the middle of a suburb far enough from open land and mountains and canyons to avoid the worst of the fire potential, and have underground utilities. There is a natural gas pipeline (or some kind of major pipeline) not too far from where we live, which could explode and cause a bit of damage, but in general, we are okay. Fires have been on all sides of us over the years, but it seems we have enough distance to be bypassed. Much as I would love to live on a mountain top, I am glad that I am flatlander!
I plan to keep things boxed up for a bit. Josh will work from home all day, We will monitor the fire potential, but get on with daily living. I made moussaka last night for dinner, and this morning I want to get out in the brisk air for a walk and some photography and some badly needed exercise. Air quality looks good as the wind is up, but particulate matter is hard to assess. Painting, reading, and drawing also sound good! We have been pretty fortunate altogether, and while I am at it, those of you who wished us well, your messages were truly appreciated!
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
Sounds like the worst threat had passed for you?
Out here in Indiana we have to worry only about tornadoes and blizzards. Hearing stories like yours make me glad for that.
Having been a kid in Illinois, I know of what you speak! And, yes, the worst is passed (we hope) but we will keep watch.
I did check the weather and the fire maps. So far, so good! Wonderful that the threat is diminishing. I hope for no more damages and especially for no lives lost. Those canyons and their views are wonderful — until the wind blows in fire season. I read that the Reagan Library was spared in part because, every May, they wisely hire goats to come eat the growth from the winter rains. No fuel, no fire.
And besides the occasional hurricane, here we are this evening under a tornado watch until about midnight. (A watch means conditions make it possible; usually, no tornado appears.) Are there any perfect climates on earth, where nothing awful ever happens? Not that I’ve heard of!
Hopefully it is truly over for you. There is something for being a flatlander. We are also!
I hope it is done . . . but another fire today outside Santa Paula and Somis, by Camarillo, and heading toward Somis. 10-15mph winds, with gusts up to 30. Much less than what was in my area (gusts to 80), so hopefully it will be contained more easily.
Things are calmer as far as wind – 10-15 mph right now, and diminishing. However, a new fire in Santa Paula and Somis, with fire heading toward Somis. Same wind speed with gusts to 15-30 – less than the 80mph that was recorded around the Reagan Library. I think Ventura County is going to disappear – so many fires. Still, despite it all, we stick it out. More evacuations and power shut offs. We are still fine.