A fire started on Sept 8, 2013 on Mt. Diablo near my home. This link is to an incredible time lapse video that someone put together of the fire last night. The picture is from an area near my home.

My prayers go out to your son and all the firefighters worldwide. It's a job most people ignore yet firefighters are hero's. I'm glad the fires are contained yet I mourn the loss of life. When you finally get to see your son please give him an extra hug and BIG thanks from me. Hugs and prayers for you too, it can't be easy being the mom of a firefighter! Dana

1 comment

by sewmom 16 Sep 2013

Thank you very much Dana.

As someone said it looks like a volcano. Amazing photos but glad it is contained now.

Incredible footage, so incomprehensible! It looks like a volcano! I'm so glad your son and you are now out of harms way!

I admire the firefighters, and certainly your son, for working so hard to save people's homes and lives. We've had these wildfires for ages, literally, and the burns remove dead wood and brush and stimulate new growth, renewing the landscape. When the areas were unpopulated, or part of the area of a nomadic tribe of Native Americans, these fires weren't such a disaster. Now, with such population growth and people building homes in these areas, and the strange weather changes we're experiencing these fires are becoming really fearful things, quick and unpredictable as a tornado sometimes. I really do pray your son can stay safe doing this work. Thank him from me--even though I'm in the East, I think these firefighters are working for all of us, just like the military, and deserve our thanks and respect for the sometimes fearful, sometimes boring (paperwork) work they do. They're always ready to lend a hand, and that really is quite brave. Hugs to you, and your son, Marji

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by sewmom 15 Sep 2013

Thank you Marji. Unfortunately at least 2 of these 3 (possibly all 3) were started by man, not nature.

The Mt. Diablo fire is 100% contained!
The Rim Fire (Yosemite) has finally moved up 1% to 81% contained.
The fire my son is at now, the Clover fire, is at 95% containment and I may see him Monday or Tuesday. He's been gone about 1 month.

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by sewmom edited 15 Sep 2013

Clover fire is now 100% contained on schedule with their estimated day of containment. It was a fast and harsh fire burning over 8,000 acres and destroying 68 residences and 128 outbuildings, 5 residences and 10 outbuildings were damaged. There was also 1 death.

The fires have started here in Australia also. One or two homes lost yesterday. It looks like a long hard summer for our firefighters as well.

1 comment

by sewmom 15 Sep 2013

I'm sorry to hear that.

it's very impressive this fire and these clouds above. But for me , as a child I did see a big destroying fire, and since than I'm always afraid of fire... I saw a big fire about 10 years ago, it detroyed a complete shoppingmall...... I admire all firefighters: they are hero's

Amazing! Fire can be so beautiful, but it is also very deadly. I hope you and your son as well as the other firefighters remain safe.

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by sewmom 15 Sep 2013

I feel a little lucky because my son is not on the fire line this time, he is working the paperwork side assisting the chief. Good networking position!

And he's off again to the Clover fire at Shasta.