My father is retired from the fire department, and these huge fires are horrific for the fireman and their families.  The men work nearly non-stop in unbearable heat with little food or water. Two firemen have lost their lives in a fire-fighting related accident.

85,000 + acres burned, fire remains at 5% containment. My house and yard continue to smell like a fireplace. I spent most of yesterday at my cousin’s home in Simi Valley. The air was cleaner and the dogs were happy to be outside.  Surprisingly, the smoke did not lift until I arrived over the last hill in Simi.  George has escaped and is in Vegas for the garment industry’s Magic show.

One friend from La Crescenta returned home but the fire department is doing a controlled burn behind her home and they may need to evacuate again.   Natalie and I closed an escrow Friday and the buyer’s new home is in the fire district; he has not yet been able to move in.  School openings have been postponed.