The latest fires in NW Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Riverside County are the latest in a long series of devastating California fires in the dangerous zones on the other side of the mountains from us.
Three days after Christmas in 1973, my family’s home burned down in Wayzata Minnesota. My brothers, my sister, and I all woke up to a big blaze that was accidentally started in our house, and had to deal with all of the things any child fears in a fire. Contacting the fire department, how we’d explain what happened to our parents, and then finally with the loss of all our personal belongings.
I know what it feels like to watch my home burn, to see one or two items rescued by firefighters, and to go to a Red Cross shelter to get a few items of clothings and cots to sleep on.
Please go to www.RedCross.org and make donations on the web, and then go and give blood. The Red Cross coffers are low, and both money and blood are needed more than ever. Right now most of the needs are for things like clothing and money, but blood is always needed as well.