Surrounded by Fire/Price of Paradise

Los Angeles is on fire in the Fall once again. What makes it so beautiful here is what makes it so dangerous. This is the Faustian bargain we make for living in paradise and despoiling it all at the same time. The combination of the dry, whipping Santa Ana winds that act like flame throwers and the tinder and fuel of our mountains has created two firestorms, one approximately 12 miles to the southeast and another approximately 7 miles southwest of our home in Northern Los Angeles county. The loud thumping of the “Super Scooper” Water Tanker aircraft was heard non stop yesterday as the planes flew between the fire and Castaic Lake to refill their water tanks. It is extraordinarily dangerous work to fly in these winds and through the mountain passes and intense smoke.

It is almost one year to the day that we were ready to evacuate with the wildfires two miles away and the air and sky was filled with smoke, ash, and flame. Last fall, my parents left their home in North San Diego for a week while the fire raged one block away from their house. They were spared any damage beyond ash clean up and a broken fence. The psychological damage is a totally different issue of course. It’s a balancing act between accepting the unquestionable power of Mother Nature, whether it’s an earthquake, wildfire, or rip current, and trying to maintain as much control as possible by being vigilant and prepared. Control can be such an illusion.

It’s eerie here actually; it is a beautiful, cloudless, crystal blue sky day with no smoke or ash. The fire is on the other side of the mountains from our valley and the powerful Santa Ana winds are pushing the smoke away from us. The “Fire Jumpers” as they call the pilots who fight fires are back at work today.

I would appreciate your good thoughts and prayers to all those dealing with the fires; my friends, neighbors, and our firefighters and first responders. Also for the four legged friends who are affected by the fire; pets, livestock, and our beautiful wildlife who also suffer greatly.

Thank you.



“Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.” Martha Graham, dancer