We're all fine.
The "Paradise" fire move Sunday night into Escondido, about 2 miles from my house. Lots of worry, a few burning embers in the backyard, but the winds changed, it pushed east, and no damage. Paul Sterngold's place is fine as well, he is about 3 miles south/east of me and it never got that far. A few folks from our work had to evacuate, but none lost their homes (thankfully) though many had neighborhoods that did lose houses. The home I grew up in in Poway is gone...
The only question mark in the TAC-South group is Don Clement's home, in Running Springs (San Bernardino county). Don had to evacuate, and they lost power before he left. We've heard from him and he is OK, but the trick of calling his house to see if the answering machine picks up won't work because of the power loss, so he doesn't know if his home still stands or not. He hopes to be allowed back in tomorrow.
The fires are currently threatening the town of Julian (famous for their Apple Festival) and Palomar Mountain. Both have been evacuated, and parts of both are burning. No word right now on the venerable Observatory on the mountain. Hundreds of firefighters are making a stand to save Julian (where the "Observer's Inn" is located). The Santa Ana winds have ceased, but the returning ocean breezes, while helping blow the smoke out of the coastal/near inland towns, have helped push the fires further east towards Palomar and Julian. The two fires in question (Cedar and Paradise fires) are only 10% and 15% contained respectively.
Paul Alsing (from TAC-South, whom some of you know from Calstar) staged a valiant fight to save his Poway home that paid off -- they were literally using hoses to keep the fire at bay.
It was not a fun weekend.
Thanks for the concern,
Paul