California Wildfire Slide Fire

Hello All:



I know that many of you are watching the news and seeing what is going on in my beautiful mountain range. Yes, what you are seeing is real. Running Springs is on fire, and yes that is my home town. I have greatly appreciated all the phone calls and texts throughout the day today. I wish I could have spoken to all of you today to let you know what exactly has been happening. I also know that many of you have loved ones from the area as well as loved ones fighting the fires. I cannot express enough how grateful we are for the courageous firefighters that haven't slept as they struggle to save Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead from these horrible fires. Not to mention the other fires stretching from the Mexico border to Santa Barbara. It's a horrific sight.



As for me and my family, we are safe. My family evacuated with what they could yesterday morning and have been in Desert Hot Springs trying to get any news that they could about home. My father is braving the fire with his crew from Arrowbear in Running Springs and has been watching everything going on for the last few days and hours calling the family in the desert with updates. About 3:50pm this afternoon ( Utah time) I read on www.rimoftheworld.net (a fabulous site) that spot fires were on Nob Hill and a couple structures were burning on Willow and Poplar Drive (my parent's home streets). I found out from my dad about a half hour later that it was from two structures three homes down from my house. I left work and went to my cousin's house in Sandy. Not really knowing whether or not the house was still standing.



About 7:15ish this evening I got a phone call from my mom (followed by my dad) saying that half our home was destroyed by fire. It went up through the garage (where all my newly moved stuff from Utah was...) up into my parent's bedroom bathroom and up into the attic and trying to go across the rest of the house. They were able to put it out. Now the fear is that the roof will collapse (from the water damage) or a remaining spark will flare up again, but we will have to wait and see what happens. My dad was actually able to walk into the house and look at the damage, pretty incredible.



As of this point my brother's homes and my grandmothers are okay. We aren't sure what tomorrow and the spotfires/winds will bring us. But everyone is in pretty good spirits. I thank my Heavenly Father for humor. It has helped my family in oh so many ways. My heart and prayers go out to many of you that are wondering what is going on with your homes. I know that many many good friends have suffered great losses. I cannot express in full my feelings and support for all of you and your families through this time. Thank you as well for all of your prayers. They have been answered in so many ways, even with suffering the loss.



A question I'm sure many of you are still asking, yes I am still moving to CA. I'm planning on leaving next Thursday as planned. Most of the major roads into CA are currently closed and I'm hoping that by then I will be able to make it back safely. I really need to be with my family. I now, more than ever, know that this is what I should be doing. Thank you to everyone for your support and prayers. They have been felt and answered, I am continually praying for you as well.



Love,

Michelle