Words cannot express the deep gratitude we all feel for our firefighters, and yes, to the LE personnel assisting with this hellacious inferno.

The relentless, undying sense of duty to protect us from the dangers, at your own risk, is the true mark of heroism as well as the truest sense of 'serving and protecting' your community.

From the bottom of my heart as well as others, thank you, thank you, thank you.

God bless.

Sedona,

KPBS reported on Monday morning that there were, in total, 308 fire people available in San Diego County.  The rest were committed to Riverside and San Bernadino counties under reciprocity agreements (to wit: the fire fighters go to the first big fire.  Whomever has the second - in our case, 3rd, 4th and 5th big fires - is out of luck).

So, as I understand it, those 308 folks did all the heavy lifting.  By the time help arrived, the worst was over.

Ladies, do I correctly anticipate a "fireman's special" in the offing?

Maybe November could become San Diego "firefighter's special" month?

I'd also like to thank everyone.....not just firefighters or law enforcement....but just ordinary people.
I live where the fire was out of control....4 homes are now gone on my street.....Everyone in my neighborhood is in a state of shock.....but we all know reguards and wishes are being sent our way.
Pray for the lives and families that have been first hand affected by this tradegy, please.
God, let it rain!

from my brothers and I..anytime, anywhere you need us..just call..as for the last couple days..words cannot describe what I have seen and experienced..satan's own personal hell cannot hold a match to it

Be careful what you wish for!  Too much rain on that moonscaped land is going to make for a very interesting winter.  Sorry for the losses on your street.  Hope it gets better soon.

I echo fragle's sentiment- the outpouring of gratitude has been wonderful, and we still stand by should the need arise. Only spekaing for myself I wish that there was more we could have done for some- gc

FEMA Regional Director Jeff Griffin said FEMA was one Government Agency which would be there in case of emergency and disaster. He said to go to their website to seek assistance. Here are the four sites which you may need to help you through this crisis.

http://www.fema.gov/ - Federal Emergency Management Agency
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/ - Fire Safety
http://www.disasterhelp.gov/ - Disaster Help
http://www.sdarc.org/ - San Diego American Red Cross

Sedona you are so awesome. One more to add to the list you put up:
http://www.salvationarmy.usawest.org/usw/www_usw.nsf/ce952dea4507ee7780256cf4005d2254/5f43e39b51a7eef588256dce001c0d41?OpenDocument

The salvation army does a lot of great relief work- you can even donate online. gc

I agree, Sedona the more I read your reads the more I admire your open and frank discussions on whatever the topic is?... As to this tragic fire? I know that all of us are still in a state of shock, and that it will take quite some time for the healing process to take hold, My father called and left me a message for me to call him a few days ago... when I did he informed me that a dearly loved friend of mine and her daughter perished in the Barona fire, it still has me emotionally distraught, I can hardly imagine what she and her daughter must have went thru and the fact that she was trying to check on her ex-husbands welfare *also living on the same property (not home at the time...1yrdivorced married*20) I know/knew them both... and then the evacuation of other friends (and their horses/animals) in the Valley Center area, all in all it was a very dangerous situation and at least my friends home (and horse) was spared.  I still need to locate my Barona friends mother (who I also know) and offer my condolences and sympathy and any other support that she may be needing, A Sincere Thank You  goes out to all of you out there who worked at reducing the destructive forces of the fires, and yes, I agree,  a *Special is in order for those of you who helped out... Affectionately,  Kayla