Southern California - Fire, What Would You Rescue?

Just a hypo that comes to mind since fire reports are the only thing on TV today. Some college football but that's even more of a sleeper!:D

Gina and I have discussed it already since you never know and must be prepared. Her car with her Trek, her Bianchi and my Canni on the rack. The files and record case in the trunk. My truck with the tandem and my Lemond on the rack with my MTB tucked in the side. The rest can be replaced!:D

Maybe my stereo and a few good CD's!:p

Oh,oh,oh,oh, the camera!

Second edit: Gina's making me add me add her pillow to the list! NOT the hundred dollar pillow, the $10 pillow!:roflmao2:...FYI, the $100 pillows suck!:mad:

Good luck with this; I was watching the news as well today...I can't imagine the decisions people are having to make. One option might be to try shipping some of your stuff to people willing to store it

We had to evacuate for the old fire a few years ago. With plenty of time, we filled the van and a friends truck with anything of importance or value, including the bikes. Its not a situation I want to be in again.

I was evacuated in the San Diego fires last year. I didn't take my bikes. I took photos of them so they could be replaced, but in the heat of the moment they just weren't important enough to load on the car. I figured if they burned it would be a great excuse to get newer, better equipment.

My cat. Her food and box.

My LeMond & Peugeot. Anything that plugs in (computer esp), chargers for camera, phone. Imp.papers, old family photos, bank stuff stay in my fire-proof safes.

Clothes for a few nites. TP. 2/5 gall.water btls. Towels, blankets. Soap, toothbrush, shampoo, shaving stuff.

Head to the ATM - plenty of cash.

My surfboards on truck racks. Yikes...I have 8 boards. Don't know how that's going to stack. Floor pump, bike tools and spare parts.

All my work tools.

A few good books.


This is a good question. I'm going to spend some time spec'ing this out because I'm just not sure how much of this will fit. Worse, if I have to drive to my sister's place in Santa Rosa - how will all this stuff ride?

What a nightmare. Really feel bad for the folks in this situation.

Photos, personal records, computers/servers/backups, original art, some clothes, toiletries, food, camera, a few guitars, maybe a bike or two if they fit.

Man, the city smells like a (cough, cough) bonfire tonight.

Hope everyone's OK.

We had to evac Thursday night when the Tea Fire broke out on the ridge line above our house. My wife and I and our 2 boys quickly packed 3 days of clothes, our computers, photo albums, and our dog, Brady. I left the bikes behind and believe me it was tough decision. We were out the front door in 15 minutes, but only because we acted minutes after the fire started.

In the end our house survived, but many of my neighbors lost their homes. The outreach to these families, with offers of food, shelter, and cash has been nothing short of amazing. If I never experience anything like that again it will be too soon.

For the Gap fire earlier in the year, we had to evacuate. My wife and I took our wedding pictures, all my old negatives and slides, hard drives, her cross-stitches, our laptops, our bikes, and my team kits. I completely forgot to bring changes of regular clothes and had to go shopping the next day :p

We had to evac Thursday night when the Tea Fire broke out on the ridge line above our house. My wife and I and our 2 boys quickly packed 3 days of clothes, our computers, photo albums, and our dog, Brady. I left the bikes behind and believe me it was tough decision. We were out the front door in 15 minutes, but only because we acted minutes after the fire started.

In the end our house survived, but many of my neighbors lost their homes. The outreach to these families, with offers of food, shelter, and cash has been nothing short of amazing. If I never experience anything like that again it will be too soon.

Glad everything worked out for you!:thumb:...Sad thinking about those that weren't as lucky!:(

We had to evac Thursday night when the Tea Fire broke out on the ridge line above our house. My wife and I and our 2 boys quickly packed 3 days of clothes, our computers, photo albums, and our dog, Brady. I left the bikes behind and believe me it was tough decision. We were out the front door in 15 minutes, but only because we acted minutes after the fire started.

In the end our house survived, but many of my neighbors lost their homes. The outreach to these families, with offers of food, shelter, and cash has been nothing short of amazing. If I never experience anything like that again it will be too soon.

Hey, that's great news... whereabouts is your house? An Echelon guy lives off Sueno and we had assumed his house burned down, but he showed up halfway through the ride and told us his house was still standing, although all of the others around his had burned. I think it was on Camino Alto...

For the Gap fire earlier in the year, we had to evacuate. My wife and I took our wedding pictures, all my old negatives and slides, hard drives, her cross-stitches, our laptops, our bikes, and my team kits. I completely forgot to bring changes of regular clothes and had to go shopping the next day :p


Next time stash the kits where she can't see them. Then you've got reason to pick up a couple extra!:D

My parents lost everything in a UHAUL fire. The rented a truck then asked me to help them pack and drive it back to Cali from Tucson. Middle of nowhere, the truck bursts into flames. Wel engine went off and I pulled to the only to find fire falling form the engine.:eek:

Took the FD an hour to get there. Everything lost but they were able to recover some stuff at the burn yard. Mom's wedding dress (45 years old) along with everything else gone. Did manage to save a few pics. My highschool grad pics were crispy on the edges. So now they have that old West Antique look!:p

Just about everything was replaced thru insurance, except the memories. But I learned then, it's just stuff. But the bikes gotta go!:D

Hey, that's great news... whereabouts is your house? An Echelon guy lives off Sueno and we had assumed his house burned down, but he showed up halfway through the ride and told us his house was still standing, although all of the others around his had burned. I think it was on Camino Alto...

Thanks Steve/Mr. B.

We are on Cold Spring Road, across from the Cold Spring entrance to Lotus Land, and next to the Montecito Covenant Church, just down from Westmont. I'm glad the guy from Echelon escaped unscathed as well. What a bloody nightmare.

We can't get back into the house yet, and we are staying out in Ojai at a friend's house. It's going to be interesting doing the SB Worlds tomorrow, starting from Lake Casita, given that I haven't done a ride longer than 50 miles in 6 weeks! YIKES!

Thanks Steve/Mr. B.

We are on Cold Spring Road, across from the Cold Spring entrance to Lotus Land, and next to the Montecito Covenant Church, just down from Westmont. I'm glad the guy from Echelon escaped unscathed as well. What a bloody nightmare.

We can't get back into the house yet, and we are staying out in Ojai at a friend's house. It's going to be interesting doing the SB Worlds tomorrow, starting from Lake Casita, given that I haven't done a ride longer than 50 miles in 6 weeks! YIKES!

Hey, I'll see you at worlds tomorrow! I ride past that area on Cold Springs frequently. I tried to go up OSM/PC and across CC today to check out the fire damage but it was HOT and I wasn't feeling well so I bailed. I may try again tomorrow morning on my way to worlds if I wake up early enough...

Next time stash the kits where she can't see them. Then you've got reason to pick up a couple extra!:D

Not sure I need any excuses to buy any extra! I ordered 6 sets of next year's kit. :eek:

Hey, I'll see you at worlds tomorrow! I ride past that area on Cold Springs frequently. I tried to go up OSM/PC and across CC today to check out the fire damage but it was HOT and I wasn't feeling well so I bailed. I may try again tomorrow morning on my way to worlds if I wake up early enough...

I hear CC's been redone west of Gibraltar so I've been jonesing to get out there and check it out. See you out there tomorrow.

I hear CC's been redone west of Gibraltar so I've been jonesing to get out there and check it out. See you out there tomorrow.

Yes, I was up there last week. It is pristine from about 1/4 mile east of the peak to about 1/2-1 mile east of Knapp's Castle.

her cross-stitches, I love you. (I'm a cross-stitcher, too.)

Wallet, checkbook, passport, money, cellphone + charger, computer, diary, clothes for a few days, ipod. Everything else is more or less easily replaceable.

I was able to ride out to get a good view of the destruction today:

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4205.jpg

We evacuated yesterday from Anaheim Hills. We had two SUV's to put things in. My wife remembered that the things you should take start with a P.

People
Pets
Prescription drugs
Papers
Photos


I added Plasma TV to the list. Unfortunately (or fortunately) our plasma is too big to lift.

I did take the bike with me, using the justification that it might come in handy to get back home if the roads were blocked off, or there was heavy traffic.

We're back home and everything is fine. Didn't turn out that way for hundreds of people down on Santa Ana Canyon Road where the apartments burned. They were lined up outside the entrance today trying to get back inside to see what their situation was. That would be really tough.

I'm a day late on this post because I just hooked the computer back up.

Eric

Wow, what a Pic ***!:eek::(

Glad everything ended well for you Eric. Good man, good reason to take the bike along!:thumb:

Wow, what a Pic ***!:eek::(

More (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/395/tea-fire-pictures)

More (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/395/tea-fire-pictures)

Wow, those mailboxes say it all!:(

Depressing.

My hill repeats course is nestled against the mountains, and along the route there are still empty lots with foundations, fireplaces, and pools from 2004.

Wow...sad to see the damage, definitely one of my favorite places to ride.

Wow...sad to see the damage, definitely one of my favorite places to ride.

The Cool Breeze century goes on Mountain Drive, the road you can see in the picture I posted before, and Las Canoas, visible in these pictures:

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4216.jpg

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4220.jpg

We didn't get evacuated this time, (Sayre Fire), but did last month for the Marek Fire. When I'm awakened at 2:30 or 3:00 and told to "GET OUT NOW" my brain doesn't work quite right. We did take some clothes and a toothbrush and I did take one of my bikes, but we really didn't have enough time to think about much. We both had the feeling we would be back home in a couple hours, but it was three days. All our stuff was O.K., but some neighbors lost everything.

We had to evac Thursday night when the Tea Fire broke out on the ridge line above our house. My wife and I and our 2 boys quickly packed 3 days of clothes, our computers, photo albums, and our dog, Brady. I left the bikes behind and believe me it was tough decision. We were out the front door in 15 minutes, but only because we acted minutes after the fire started.

In the end our house survived, but many of my neighbors lost their homes. The outreach to these families, with offers of food, shelter, and cash has been nothing short of amazing. If I never experience anything like that again it will be too soon.

Gene,
I'm glad to hear you guys got out OK and that your house survived. That fire was FAST! There's something to be said about having all the "important" stuff stored so that it's easy to grab.

Good call on the bikes. Last July during the Gap fire, we decided to move some stuff over to a friend's house since we were only 1/2 block away from the evacuation area. I didn't even consider taking anything out of the garage. I just took 5 minutes and went through it with the videocamera to document what was there. Of course, we had a bit more time than you did...those winds on Thurs. were unreal.

For us, the "must haves" as we left were the pets, the "important" file cabinet drawer, and the computer CPU. After that, it was a couple changes of clothes, picture albums, video tapes and totes filled with kid's art. Everything else was deemed "replaceable".

It's funny...my wife told me later that she was shocked I didn't attempt to grab any of the bikes...:rolleyes:

Gene,
I'm glad to hear you guys got out OK and that your house survived. That fire was FAST! There's something to be said about having all the "important" stuff stored so that it's easy to grab.

Good call on the bikes. Last July during the Gap fire, we decided to move some stuff over to a friend's house since we were only 1/2 block away from the evacuation area. I didn't even consider taking anything out of the garage. I just took 5 minutes and went through it with the videocamera to document what was there. Of course, we had a bit more time than you did...those winds on Thurs. were unreal.

For us, the "must haves" as we left were the pets, the "important" file cabinet drawer, and the computer CPU. After that, it was a couple changes of clothes, picture albums, video tapes and totes filled with kid's art. Everything else was deemed "replaceable".

It's funny...my wife told me later that she was shocked I didn't attempt to grab any of the bikes...:rolleyes:

Tom-

Thanks very much for the well wishes. It's funny, after we left I started to think of the new bling I would buy if/when the fire consumed the house! Hmm, a new Cervelo here, a new set of Lews there, maybe the new electronic DA group...? I guess that was my personal coping mechanism if things went badly.

After seeing Steve's pics (amazing stuff) I'm dreading my first ride on Mt Dr. and up Gibraltar as I ride that route probably 3-4 times/week. It was such a scenic, peaceful route where you could rack up tons of TSS in a short period of time. I guess you'll be seeing a lot of me up in your neck of the woods doing OSM/PC until Gib comes back to life. Even when it does come back I can't bear to think of all the construction traffic that will consume those once quiet roads during the rebuilds.

Sadly it may never be the same again.

Best,

Gene

gene, I didn't see you on sunday

gene, I didn't see you on sunday

I rode in from Ojai Steve and picked the group up at the Biltmore. It was really nice riding the roads from Ojai w no traffic. I stayed tucked in at the back but unfortunately I was caught behind the crash just after we made the left turn onto Goob. I stayed behind to help the young Echelon rider who's derailleur hanger snapped off.

I'm not sure I had the legs to do anything on Bates but it would have been nice to make it there with the group. You on the other hand looked strong (as you did 2 weeks ago on the Saturday Worlds). I hope you gave them hell on Bates!

I rode in from Ojai Steve and picked the group up at the Biltmore. It was really nice riding the roads from Ojai w no traffic. I stayed tucked in at the back but unfortunately I was caught behind the crash just after we made the left turn onto Goob. I stayed behind to help the young Echelon rider who's derailleur hanger snapped off.

I'm not sure I had the legs to do anything on Bates but it would have been nice to make it there with the group. You on the other hand looked strong (as you did 2 weeks ago on the Saturday Worlds). I hope you gave them hell on Bates!

Uh oh...a crash on the Sunday Worlds? I'm glad I decided to do my long ride on Saturday!

What happened/who was it?

Uh oh...a crash on the Sunday Worlds? I'm glad I decided to do my long ride on Saturday!

What happened/who was it?

From what I understand it was fairly minor. Someone had a flat I think and crossed over in front of Cookie and he went into the dirt around the fountain on goob. Echelon Ben was in front of it but somehow had his non-replaceable derailer hanger broken. I am going entirely on hearsay, as I had gone straight after the beating my shoulder took on the descent last week. I do know that his mom is upset; she said that although people had stayed back to try to make phone calls, ultimately nobody got reception and left him stranded, walking back alone along 192... He was picked up by a passer-by.

From what I understand it was fairly minor. Someone had a flat I think and crossed over in front of Cookie and he went into the dirt around the fountain on goob. Echelon Ben was in front of it but somehow had his non-replaceable derailer hanger broken. I am going entirely on hearsay, as I had gone straight after the beating my shoulder took on the descent last week. I do know that his mom is upset; she said that although people had stayed back to try to make phone calls, ultimately nobody got reception and left him stranded, walking back alone along 192... He was picked up by a passer-by.

Ummm...not that I'm being judgmental or anything...but there's something wrong about a junior rider training/racing on an expensive bike with a non-replaceable derailleur hanger (i.e an Addict):rolleyes: that's just an expensive trashed frame waiting to happen.

Secondly, I'm thinking "mom" should probably think twice about sending young Ben out on long rides without a cell phone...

Ummm...not that I'm being judgmental or anything...but there's something wrong about a junior rider training/racing on an expensive bike with a non-replaceable derailleur hanger (i.e an Addict):rolleyes: that's just an expensive trashed frame waiting to happen.

Secondly, I'm thinking "mom" should probably think twice about sending young Ben out on long rides without a cell phone...

Yeah, I think that the non-replaceable hanger thing is pretty silly. But I think that somebody probably should have stayed with him... even if he wasn't a junior I don't like leaving people stranded.

IIRC, he broke the hanger in the crit practice accident that took out Frazer earlier in the year...

IIRC, he broke the hanger in the crit practice accident that took out Frazer earlier in the year...

...hmmm...I'm beginning to detect a trend...:(

...hmmm...I'm beginning to detect a trend...:(

:twitchy:

A friend of mine told me about St Mary's and Mount Calvary on Saturday morning when we met for breakfast. She's been on retreat many times to St Mary's (belongs to the Episcopal Church and is technically more a nunnery than a seminary), and told me that the monastery lost a 17th Century altar, among other treasures.

A friend of mine told me about St Mary's and Mount Calvary on Saturday morning when we met for breakfast. She's been on retreat many times to St Mary's (belongs to the Episcopal Church and is technically more a nunnery than a seminary), and told me that the monastery lost a 17th Century altar, among other treasures.

St. Mary's survived... Mount Calvary is gone.

Yeah, I think that the non-replaceable hanger thing is pretty silly. But I think that somebody probably should have stayed with him... even if he wasn't a junior I don't like leaving people stranded.

IIRC, he broke the hanger in the crit practice accident that took out Frazer earlier in the year...

Five of us stopped to help him. In the end he tried to call his mom using my cell phone but he couldn't get through. I told him I was heading back to Ojai and would call again when I got a signal. I called his mom and left a vmail when I got to the top of the 1st climb.

There was not much else we could do for him. I totally agree that if he were my son he'd have a cell phone and I also agree that the Addict's design is a joke. Wait a minute, I have an Addict! :eek:

Five of us stopped to help him. In the end he tried to call his mom using my cell phone but he couldn't get through. I told him I was heading back to Ojai and would call again when I got a signal. I called his mom and left a vmail when I got to the top of the 1st climb.

There was not much else we could do for him. I totally agree that if he were my son he'd have a cell phone and I also agree that the Addict's design is a joke. Wait a minute, I have an Addict! :eek:

Well...to be clear...I wasn't so much commenting about the design of the Addict as I was about the concept of giving one to a junior rider to "thrash" ;)

My Martin D-18 acoustic guitar.

After seeing Steve's pics (amazing stuff) I'm dreading my first ride on Mt Dr. and up Gibraltar as I ride that route probably 3-4 times/week. It was such a scenic, peaceful route where you could rack up tons of TSS in a short period of time. I guess you'll be seeing a lot of me up in your neck of the woods doing OSM/PC until Gib comes back to life. Even when it does come back I can't bear to think of all the construction traffic that will consume those once quiet roads during the rebuilds.

I went through the Conejo neighborhood (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/397/more-tea-fire-pictures) on Monday and Mountain Drive (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/397/more-tea-fire-pictures) this morning, after reading that it was open as of 6pm last night. Somebody didn't tell someone that it was open though, because there were still road closed signs @ Cielito. No bother for me on my bike, I just went around them. I have lots of pictures at the links above, but here are a few selected scenes:

The burned hills visible from Stanwood
http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4232.jpg

It's amazing how much of the surrounding vegetation was not burned
http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4247.jpg

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4257.jpg

Road closed signs at Mountain & Cielito
http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4270.jpg

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4277.jpg

I like the juxtoposition of the burned out car with the house that survived in the background
http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4279.jpg

Looking backtoward the Riviera
http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4302.jpg

Cold Springs Road, by Westmont
http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4328.jpg