Poinsettia Fire Alga Norte Park Carlsbad

It started out as a normal Wednesday morning except instead of going to Stroller Strides, I decided to take eep to a community pool since it was going to be a scorcher. We met up with three of our close friends and were having the best time. But about ten minutes after we got in the pool, I saw a big billow of smoke coming up from behind. About ten seconds later, the fire alarm went off. I grabbed my son out of the pool and ran out of the building. I was very shaken up because I just wanted to make sure we got out of the parking lot and then panicked because it was so close to so many homes. I called my husband and told him to please come home early since I was so freaked out. A few hours later his office (where my mother also works) got the reverse 911 call to evacuate. This is about 15 minutes from my home but we knew that with the extreme temperatures & Santa Ana conditions that we would gather up our important documents and get all of our photos, computers, etc. ready…just in case.

San Elijo Hills Twin Oaks Valley Fire

Then a few hours later, we saw this from our house. A new fire had broken out closer to our home…so we decided to evacuate. A mandatory evacuation notice was issued at about 2:30am.

Harmony Grove Fire

This was the view as we left Wednesday evening.

The Carlsbad fire has since been contained (dozens of families lost their homes) but what is now known as the #Cocosfire is still burning. We are still under evacuation orders but I am hoping for better news today. The temps and wind have died down but there are still several fires burning all around the county. It’s been a crazy couple of days. Thank you for your emails, texts, and messages. My family is safe and I am SO grateful for the tireless efforts from our firemen and for the many homes that they have saved. I’m sorry if this post doesn’t make much sense but we haven’t had much sleep around here. Thank you for your continued thoughts & prayers.

To donate to the red cross and those affected in San Diego county, click here.

categories: personal13 comments

13 Comments ( Reply )

  1. Jess
    May 16, 2014 @ 8:55 am

    Oh my!! I hope you are alright. I read about the pool area and your son, is he ok> Shaken. I hope things are quickly dealt with and you can go back to normal, but I am sure that is scary. Glad you are alright, and hoping things get cleared out soon.

    jess

    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

  2. Kimberly
    May 16, 2014 @ 9:02 am

    I cannot imagine how scary that must have been – praying that they are able to put the fires out soon and that you can go home!

  3. Gry
    May 16, 2014 @ 9:28 am

    So happy you’re ok, I’ve been thinking of you since I heard about the fires! Stay safe!
    Hugs from Switzerland,
    G.

  4. Tarah
    May 16, 2014 @ 9:54 am

    My thoughts & prayers have been with everyone on the West coast being affected by these fires! Keep safe!

  5. Staci
    May 16, 2014 @ 10:20 am

    Jenny, you’re home is okay right??

    • jennifer
      May 16, 2014 @ 3:05 pm

      Yes, thank you Staci! We just got word that they aren’t going to lift the evacuation orders today so trying to not stress until tomorrow! =(

  6. Kacie's Kloset
    May 16, 2014 @ 10:37 am

    Oh my gosh! That is so scary! I’m so glad to hear you made it out safely and will be praying for you and everyone else in the fire danger zone!

    http://kacieskloset.blogspot.com/

  7. alela sirah
    May 16, 2014 @ 4:46 pm

  8. Jen
    May 16, 2014 @ 9:22 pm

    Praying for your safety and a and peace during this stressful time. Glad you got out ok & will continue to pray for your neighbors and the rest of the affected in California.

  9. Happiness at Mid Life
    May 16, 2014 @ 10:32 pm

    That is way to close for comfort. Praying that you will be able to get home soon. I heard on the news that one of the fires were started by teenagers. I can’t believe they can be so dumb. A few years back, I had to evacuate and I remember how scary it was. Stay safe!

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

  10. Red Tag Chic Los Angeles
    May 17, 2014 @ 8:37 am

    Hi Jen! Hope you & the rest of your family is safe. Yes, those SD fires are really terrible striking so close to home. Our prayers will be with you!

    Rebecca
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

  11. Tara
    May 17, 2014 @ 2:17 pm

    So scary…thinking of you and your family…stay safe!

  12. Emma Finlayson
    May 17, 2014 @ 7:23 pm

    I have been thinking of you guys! I am so glad that you are so safe. We have been following the situation on the news here.
    I have no experience dealing with these kinds of fires, but one of my earliest memories is of the Santa Ana winds in Los Angeles. They are no joke!

    xo Emma
    http://strollingthecityinheels.com