Fires in CA

[Judith T.]

JoAnne, are the fires in Diamond Bar near you? I saw it on Fox News that there are brush fires at that location. I remember when Diamond Bar used to be ranches and orchards and pasture land. Judy in AZ

[Judith T.]

Hi Judy, thanks for thinking of me, the fires are about 2 to 3 miles from us, as the crow flies but that's not really close considering the hundreds if not thousands of homes between the fires and our home.

Our L. A. County firefighters are among the finest on earth and they have done a terrific job, so far no homes or structures have been harmed, just brush has burned. If it isn't out already, it will be soon. We watched the ongoing tv coverage for awhile and about an hour ago they said it was 60 % contained. That was very good news.

The fires were all near the freeways and brush is what's near there. There's some talk about sparks shooting from a truck's catalytic converter setting the fires. They have the vehicle "in custody". Apparently the driver was completely unaware of the problem.

You remember when Diamond Bar used to be ranches and orchards and pasture land? We've been here 22 years, no orchards but the ranches and pasture land are still in the surrounding areas.

JoAnne in Diamond Bar, CA

[Judith T.]

Glad you are safe.

[Judith T.]

Fires are errie, stay safe.

[Judith T.]

Doesn't Earline Fowler live out that way, too? Judy

[Judith T.]

Earlene Fowler lives more south, in Orange County. I love her books!

We were very fortunate, saw lots of smoke but never smelled it and that's very unusual. There wasn't much wind and that's what kept the fires from spreading further. I think it's all over now, minor injuries for a firefighter and no structures damaged.

It's weird, when I was a kid, in Ventura County, we were used to seeing oil well fires, now we see brush fires with regularity.

Thanks for the good wishes, we are all thrilled that no homes were destroyed.

JoAnne, Diamond Bar, CA

[Judy M.]

I'm so glad they got those fires out quickly, JoAnne! I love the Earlene Fowler books, too, and she should have a new one next May, I think. She lives in Fountain Valley last I heard, although she would love to live in Central CA--wouldn't we all???!!! Judy in Torrance