Prayers for southern California as fires rage, people flee

• Update: Further information from Jimmy Akin, who provides a map and a number of helpful links.

The AP reports on the horrible conditions faced by fleezing citizens and firefighters. And this from Cherie Peacock, editor of This Rock magazine, published by Catholic Answers, which is based in the San Diego area:

Dear friends,

There are 2 dangerous brush fires predicted to hit highly populated areas of San Diego county at 1am pst. Already there is 1 fatality and 14 people in hospital for serious to critical condition for burns.

The southern fire, close to the Mexico border, affects many poor farmers and businessmen. One heartrending image tonight was of a family crammed into the cab of their old, white, pickup truck, their few belongings and 2 dogs in the bed, their haggard-looking horse tethered to the back of the truck. They could only go as fast as the horse could walk, but that is about as fast as the line of cars could go as they tried to evacuate.

The northern fire has split, one part headed toward the homes of 2 Catholic Answers families; the other part headed towards the CA offices.

To the best of my knowledge, no one I know is in the direct path of the fire (as far as they can predict it over the next few hours). But winds from the west are high, we've had 2 years of drought, and every indication is that these fires will be worse than the Cedar fires of 2003 in which some dozen people lost their lives.

The air over San Diego is not safe to breath. We've been told not to venture outside more than necessary and to close up our homes and turn on the a/c (temperatures are predicted to go above 90 this week--in Oct!). When I go outside, the worst air is to the north and west of me (the strong  winds are pushing the worst air towards the coast). But it looks like Mordor here. The smoke is smothering the sun and the moon.

No one I know is in immediate danger, but please pray that the winds change, or at least subside; that the firefighters will be safe and effective; and that God have mercy on all of us.

Thank you.

Comments

[Brian Day]

I'm further North in Orange County. While my house and the business where I work are not being threatened, we are in the smoke plume of the Santiago fire. No venturing outdoors today.

The 250,000 people of San Diego county under mandatory evacuation are in my prayers.

[Jackson]

My lungs are in danger more than anything. Thanks for the prayers.

[Ed Peters]

Remember those days, Mark?