Every Moment Matters.
If you’ve been following me for a minute, more than likely my fiancé Trevor has been mentioned. He landed his dream job as a firefighter. I have learned more than ever now, to cherish the little moments. To love every moment no matter how big or small we have together. I haven’t seen him in 6 days and he just got called to go up to the fires. We have no idea when he’ll be back.
These are the moments I wish I gave him a little tighter hug, a longer kiss, and spent just a little more time with him.
We knew there was a chance that he’d be called to go. But until that happens you don’t realize the emotion that comes over you when that call comes in. Thankfully we were able to FaceTime for a short while before he got to his location. It was the best we could do for the short time we had and I am beyond grateful for it.
With the fire service he could be called at any time to go fight a fire or cover for someone who needs to go to the fire. He could be gone for a day or gone for 30 days. It really depends on if they are able to contain the fire. For those of you who don’t know much about fires (not that I’m an expert), they basically create their own weather system.
For instance, if you look closely at a bonfire or even a candle…the fire isn’t just straight up, there is movement in the flames. Whether there is wind or not. It takes on a life of it’s own. Even in the fire tv series (Chicago Fire, Emergency, Rescue Me, etc) and movies about the fire service (Only the Brave, Backdraft, and Ladder 49 to name a few) they try to educate the audience about fire behavior, how unpredictable and scary it really is. The firefighters work hard to understand and learn how to predict fire behavior throughout years of being around fire and seeing how it reacts when it encounters different weather patterns. When they tell you it is time to leave it really is time.
California IS Burning.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, don’t own a television or haven’t looked at your phone….you know there have been a huge outbreak of fires here in California. Largest amount of acres to date. Totaling over 260,000 acres that have been burned. It is incredibly sad, I know of several people who have lost everything in these fires and it BREAKS my heart. Being so close to Christmas…At the bottom of my post will be a list of places you can donate Christmas presents to, clothing, shoes, blankets, food, anything and everything.
If you do find yourself being told to evacuate, it really is the best option. If you have time to grab just the essentials I highly suggest you do it. If you have more time to grab whatever you need definitely grab all the important documents go for it. You never know what can happen, if the winds change or pick up it will easily effect how the fire moves.
When you do not leave your house when you are told, it is selfish and takes resources away from stopping the fire. I highly suggest taking the advice from the professionals helping you, if it is time to get out, get out. If you can grab a car full of the things you need, then even better. Your house, even though it is incredibly important and terrifying to leave. It is only a material item, your life is wayyyyy more important.
There are several things you can do to prepare yourself for a scenario like this, I keep a bag in my car. For emergencies, if I get stuck on the road, if there is an earthquake, fire, whatever the cause. The bag I have is a little big, you can pick them up at any army / navy store. The idea is that you do not want to fill it too full or too heavy where if you need to run with it, you will still be able to.
Major important items to grab in case of evacuating : MEDS AND SMALL BILLS. Have some cash on hands and your medication. Grab those.
Items I keep in my bag:
(generally clothing items in my bag are old or I do not need or would wear again, does NOT need to be cute LOL)
- Tennis Shoes
- Sweater / Jacket
- Socks
- Shirt
- Underwear
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Nonperishable Snacks (replace every couple months)
- Solar Charger
- Flashlight
- Matches and or lighter
- Candles
- Emergency Blanket (That really shiny foil blanket you see on tv when they rescue people)
- Pocket Bible
- Brush
- Knife
- Small bills ( money )
- Medication ( inhaler, pain meds, antibiotics, whatever you are prescribed )
- Water purifier ( they have some on amazon )
- Water Bottle
- Whistle
- Batteries
For your Evacuation list, include everything above (if you don’t already have the bag) with the included items below:
- Cell Phone
- Cell Phone Chargers
- Emergency Contact Numbers
- Pets
- Pet food
- Pet Meds ( if any )
- Laptop
- Laptop Charger
If you have more time than just a few minutes to grab those essentials include these:
• Birth Certificates
• Deed to the house
• Insurance papers
• All the important documents
Keep in mind, the essentials are what is important. It should not take you long to get out of your house. Regardless of how much time they give you. The faster you get out of there the better it is for everyone.
DONATE
If you or anyone you know is interested in helping out with the victims of these fires here is a list. These are just what I could find. I know there are a ton of people helping out. If you have any that you would like listed, please send them my way!
Donations categorized by the specific fire.
The Thomas Fire
Thomas Fire Fund:
The United Way of Ventura County, American Red Cross of Ventura County, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services have teamed up to create the Thomas Fire Fund.
Text UWVC to 41444 to make a cash donation, call 805-485-6288, or go online to United Way of Ventura County’s website.
Checks with “Thomas Fire Fund” in the memo line can be mailed to 702 County Square Drive, Suite 100 Ventura, CA 93003.
Red Cross
Volunteer Options:
http://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles
https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossVenturaCounty/
Make a cash donation
http://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles
The Humane Society of Ventura County
The Humane Society of Ventura County has taken in over 100 animals.
Drop off any of the following items at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai: Alfalfa hay, Timothy hay, cat chow, rabbit food, flashlights, headlamps, lanterns, water troughs, bottled water, fruit, snacks, hoses, and power generators.
Donate food and water for volunteers, or make a cash donation on HSVC’s website.
Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation
Donate to Noah’s Legacy Fund, which provides supplies, training, and equipment to first responders charged with rescuing animals from areas stricken by natural disasters.
Mail donations to P.O. Box 100515, Pasadena, CA 91189-0515 or through the LACACF website.
GoFundMe campaigns
Dozens of families who’ve already lost their homes have turned to GoFundMe for donations.
Ventura Counties Thomas Fire Relief
Here is a list of all the verified campaigns.
You can drop off donations at:
2843 McCulloch Street
Camarillo, CA 93010
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara-based organization Direct Relief is donating 100% of designated funds to victims of the wildfires.
Donate money for supplies online and make sure you direct your donation to “Southern California Wildfires.”
Lilac Fire
Animal Relief :
Rehabilitation information will be available for victims of the Creek, Rye and Skirball fires at the Lake View Terrace Recreation Center at 11075 Foothill Blvd. from Tuesday, Dec. 12, to Friday, Dec. 15 between 12 and 8 p.m., as well as Saturday, Dec. 16, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An assistance center will also be open to those affected by the Lilac Fire beginning Monday at the Vista Library, located at 700 Eucalyptus Ave. in Vista. Hours of operation had not yet been determined.
Addition resources can be obtained via:
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: 800-621-3362 or http://www.fema.gov
• Contractors State License Board: 800-321-2752 or http://www.cslb.ca.gov
• National Insurance Crime Bureau 888-815-9064 or http://www.nicb.org
San Diego County Recovery:
There is also a Statewide Wildfire Recovery Resources site