wildfire in Hemet CA

[BarbaraRose]

Hoping Evie is OK. There is a wildfire in Hemet where she lives (and Sharon too). 2 deaths already and several homes destroyed.

Evie, let us know how you are doing!

[Pooker]

Hi! I'm fine and Sharon is out of town for the summer. Fire is/was east and south of me. But that area is mainly canyons so hard to control. Heavy smoke and we've been keeping our eyes on it. Thanks for caring.

Had a power lowering episode, tho, yesterday. Meant the A/C fan was running but no cold air. After awhile we noticed they must be turning it off and on because it would get up to 84 in here and then seemed like A/C came on for just enough time to bring it down to 81 and then shut down again. Their online power info said no episodes planned or executed. I beg to differ. Then, to add insult to injury, when this power reducing time ended, they shut my A/C off anyway! I belong to a program (joined years ago) that allows them to shut my A/C down for a period of time in exchange for a discount on my electric bill. Last year I changed my choice to allow me 5 overrides if they actually shut me down when it's real hot. Every year the discount has been lower and lower. We immediately overrode last night's shut-off and I now have 3 left. I plan to drop out of the discount plan when I get down to 1 left. The $17 a month discount I've been getting now isn't worth it when it's over 100! Current electric bill is over $362!

Evie

[Colliemom]

Glad to hear that everything is OK so far Evie.But like all fires they bear watching. Hopefully it will stay away from you.

[SoCalGalcas]

Good Morning, Evie, glad to hear you are OK at the moment. Please do keep your eye on it. I, too, am on something with my electric company. Some type of power saving. However, the messages I receive from them are contradictory. Sometimes I am a super saver and sometimes just a middle saver. I NEVER run my AC. I run my dishwasher every 9 days. My clothes washer and dryer run must of the day only once a month. And, never after 4 PM. My electric bill runs around $80 a month. As I am living alone now, I have complete control of all appliances.
I want to go to the store today. All my Greek Red Lentil soup is gone. It was good. I want to buy ingredients to make White Bean soup and Greek Green Beans and potatoes. I feel like I am just learning to cook I guess I am!
Have a great day.
Lyn

[BarbaraRose]

Evie, is that the Ohm program thru SDGE? I was on that when in Vista. It did save me some money, but then we never really got that hot down there and I just had a window AC in one bedroom. Doesn't sound like it is worth it for you tho. Luckily, cost of electricity down here isn't bad and I pay between $50 to $75 per month, a little more the past month or so because of the heat. I do keep my AC at about 83* when not at home. I put it down to 77* when I am home, in whatever room I am, in to be more comfy. Sure hope this heat breaks for all of us out here!

Stay safe, especially from the smoke there!

[JudyJB]

Finally, some good news from me--There is an incredibly wonderful ocean breeze blowing through my motorhome!! Highs are in 60s, and last night was downright cold, so I turned my heat on for a few minutes. After that, it was fine, and I got a really good night's sleep. Also, mobile repair guy just called and he is on his way!! Hopefully, he can fix my AC easily and quickly. Will update later, but in the meantime, I have TV on and all my windows open to enjoy the cool breeze!! Ahhhhhhhh!

[Cudedog]

Finally, some good news from me--There is an incredibly wonderful ocean breeze blowing through my motorhome!! Highs are in 60s, and last night was downright cold, so I turned my heat on for a few minutes. After that, it was fine, and I got a really good night's sleep. Also, mobile repair guy just called and he is on his way!! Hopefully, he can fix my AC easily and quickly. Will update later, but in the meantime, I have TV on and all my windows open to enjoy the cool breeze!! Ahhhhhhhh!

So, you made it to the coast? I can't imagine that you can find those temps anywhere inland.

Anne

[Colliemom]

So what is the latest for Evie? I am seeing some awful pictures on the news of the fire in Henet. Was wondering if she finally had to evacuate. I know Sharon is not there but I’m wondering about her home too.

[Cudedog]

So what is the latest for Evie? I am seeing some awful pictures on the news of the fire in Henet. Was wondering if she finally had to evacuate. I know Sharon is not there but I’m wondering about her home too.

Sue, please check your pm's.

Thanks.

Anne

[Pooker]

Sue - I'm fine. Wind shifted and fire is burning south. Air quality is another story. Car is covered with ash. Fire fighting planes are housed at our local airport, so there's been a continual sound of planes and copters coming and going all day yesterday and when I went to Walmart for water and other supplies there was a staging area in their parking lot. About 4-5 fire trucks and an ambulance from the county. It's been years since those canyons had any fires, but this summer is brutally hot and dry.

The northern/western edge of the evacuation zone is only a couple of miles from me.

Thanks for thinking of me. I haven't received a call from Sharon, but I assume her family is fine. I think most live a mile or 2 west of me so further away from fire area. Of course, all bets are off if the fire heads west.

Evie

[BarbaraRose]

Evie, good to hear you are OK, other than the smoke. Try to stay indoors if you can.
So far I haven't seen any smoke from here but the winds are going the other way. Maybe now that they shifted south, I may see some over the mountains. Supposed to be some heavy storms coming up from the south this weekend so hopefully you will get some rain to help with the fire (and not get lightning!)

[Bethers]

Thanks for the update Evie. Hopefully you stay safe and even more hope your breathing isn't adversely effected.