Other: The Station Fires

For those not following Southern California news, as of this morning over 140,000 acres (over 218 square miles) are burning in the San Gabriel mountains, the closest within just a few miles from where I live. Two firefighters have been killed and at least 62 homes destroyed. The area is actually fairly sparsely populated because most of the area burning is in the Angeles Crest National Forest, not only a nature preserve but a favorite recreational area for thousands of hikers and campers. However, many residential communities to the south of the forest are in increasing danger and evacuations continue as the fire spreads east.

For people who want to help out, the Los Angeles Times has this article. In addition to making donations over the web to various aide groups, local shelters like the Pasadena Humane Society (where I got Spoon!) and other animal rescue groups are in need of cat food and supplies for the animals fleeing the fire and those pets being temporarily housed while their homes are evacuated. Goodwill and the Red Cross have a joint program which I thought was great. If you bring in your donations to your local Southern California Goodwill, you can request that the value be used for vouchers for fire victims. The Red Cross will distribute the vouchers to people in need so they can go to a Goodwill store and redeem them for the things they need. I have a crapload of clothes which no longer fit which I've been meaning to wash and bring in. This is the kick in the pants I needed.

Oh, and I almost forgot to put in this quote from one of the Times articles.

"This was like the Jabba the Hut fire," said Bill Patzert, a climatologist for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge. "It's menacing and big, but it definitely can't move that fast."

It takes a serious geek to use a Star Wars reference at a time like this.