A few days ago a fire broke out here in my town and in the surrounding areas, known as the Carr Fire. So far it has doubled and more in size since and burned over 500 buildings and homes and five have lost their lives. At one point it was just a couple miles from my house and we are ready to evacuate, but as of this morning it seems to be moving slightly away from us. I just wanted to let everyone know that there may be some delay in filling orders for coins you have bought from me this week. As long as the winds dont change all should be well for me, but unfortunately for many others the situation is not the same and the worst has already happened. Last I checked about 35,000 residents had been evacuated with few places to go. Hotels are filled to capacity in just about all of Northern California. Ash and carbonized leaves and pine needles fall from the sky in a apocalyptic feel. Anyway, I just wanted to let people know what was happening and why there may be delays on my end. One can easily google the whole thing for more detailed information but I have a few pictures here (not taken by me of course, I am staying put for now):
Oh man, Ken... I'm so sorry for you and everyone else in the Redding area. I hope it is contained before reaching your home.
Wow, that is horrible. I know your customers will understand that coins should be the last thing on your mind right now. Take care of you and yours and stay safe.
Please take care of your family and yourself. The area that I grew up in burnt last year just south of you. (Lake County area) Good to hear your safe.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your Family, and those you care for. Hopefully your area is spared and this fire is stopped. I know No. Cal is similar to Oregon where I lived for a few years. With the lush vegetation, it is amazing to see such a disaster with the fire. Of course, I understand how dry it gets in the summers.
Stay Safe and be sure to evacuate if that is required. My niece lives in Hopland and is threatened by the Mendocino Complex fire (2% contained) I hope she does not have to evacuate. Good luck!
Its only 5% contained at the moment. I'm watching the maps closely, one arm of the fire is uncomfortably close to a canyon a couple miles away. I shudder to think if it gets to that canyon as it would head straight for me, but there doesnt seem to be much wind today. Well, the few coins I do have at home are already packed, so they would be safe. Unfortunately all my antiquities would have to stay. Its like a tinderbox it is so dry here, its why the fire has gone uncontrolled. My house is under the flight path for the planes and helicopters, but unfortunately the smoke is so dense they have been unable to fly yesterday and today, so it is entirely up to the ground crews to fight it, and that is a very difficult task. I have one friend who lost their house so far, and others have not been able to check whether they have a home or not because of the evacuations.
Stay safe, but realize you may have only five minutes or less to evacuate in these conditions. My suggestion if you have a storage space or friends/relatives home that is fully out of danger from this fire and you can do so, take your most valuable papers and photos (things valuable to you but ones your friends or family will return to you and won't be likely to sell or destroy), and copies of your computer files and store those there. Obviously you don't want to indiscriminately place coins and such in relatives homes, but saving your papers may make it easier, if you have to evacuate and have time to take some items, to take some coins and pets, if you have them and not worry about other valuables.
Good luck, Ken. I was a mile away from the meat of the Thomas Fire last year and that was one of the most terrifying experiences I've been through. Happily all family/friends came out relatively unscathed but everyone in the area knew many people who lost their homes. Frighteningly, we only noticed the fire late at night when we saw it come over a hill with large flames: power and cell/internet reception were all out so the emergency alerts didn't come. A couple hours later, someone banged on the door to alert us. If you perceive any risk, I would suggest just getting as far away as possible, even if a mandatory evac hasn't been issued. We had friends trying to douse their house in water but ultimately it isn't worth the risk to life to stay around.
Pleas stay safe Ken. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hopefully toy will be spared any evacuation.
You might "pre-evacuate" some valuables. My in-laws were in a vulnerable area at the coast before a major hurricane, got ready, and left with their RV packed. But, the BMW was left behind and destroyed. They had time and could have taken it inland a mile and that would have saved it from the storm surge. It looks like cars burn. If you have more cars than you will use to evacuate, you could pre-evacuate one, perhaps with stuff in it, and that might save it.
I feel your pain. I live in Grants Pass Oregon and we're surrounded by fires as well... Wishing you well...
So sorry to hear about this, Ken... we have similar issues in the interior of BC but luckily I've never been directly threatened. There are important preventative measures that our previous government unfortunately neglected, though it seems as though the current one is more on top of things, hopefully yours in California too. Otherwise we'll have many years of this to look forward to. ^^^ THIS. It can happen so fast.