A Close Call in the San Diego Fires

...in fact, the closest call you could have with your house. The fire came within single digit feet of my parents' house, but it did not even get singed. It was a miracle.

Their next door neighbor had been coming back into the evacuated zone every day to check on his house. He happened to come by on Wednesday and found a fire storm in my parents' yard. He jumped in his car and rushed off, finally finding a firefighting team, exhausted and resting in front of a local church. He rallied them and led them to the house where they managed to put out the fire before the house burned down.

How close did it get? Take a look at these photos. You can click on them for larger versions.


The lawns caught on fire. The lawns. Have you ever seen green grass burn? Imagine how hot it must have been to do that.

The shrubs bordering the back patio were totally obliterated.

Less than ten feet away, the house was untouched.

Meanwhile, not 50 feet away, my mom's prize rose bushes didn't burn at all.

This delicate beauty remained unharmed. Miraculous.

A neighbor just happens to come by at the right moment and just happens to find a fire crew at a local church and they just happen to make it back to the house in time to save it. Coincidence? You be the judge.