—– Original Message —–
From: Henry Ford
Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 8:35 PM
Subject: Message from Jean Ford-Lawrence re: Southern CA Wildfires
Emmanuel and I are fine, thank God!
As you may know from news reports, southern California is under siege as the dangerous combination of record heat, low humidity, drought and perhaps an element of human insanity (arson) have brought about numerous, uncontrolled wildfires. As of this morning, Los Angeles County (where we live) is in a state of emergency. Miraculously and thankfully, though thousands of acres have burned in the Angeles National Forest, there has been no loss of life or property damage. We are urged to stay indoors because air quality is extremely poor and breathing difficult. It’s very smoky, even inside. Outside, everything in sight is covered with ash.
As I write this message, all I have heard from outside for the last several hours are emergency vehicles and the welcome sound of water-dropping helicopters all around. The terrain is rugged, making it dangerous and all but impossible for our brave firefighters to deal with this crisis from the ground. At our location (Altadena) in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains, we are between two fires–one in Azusa to the east and the other in La Canada Flintridge, just to the west, where some voluntary evacuations are underway.
Please keep us and all southern Californians–and especially our battle-weary firefighters–in your thoughts and prayers. Should our situation change, we will, of course, remain in touch with Henry and Dianne and update Facebook as well.
Our love,
Jean
