Fire…and What Came Next

This week is a change of pace for my blog. My journey took an interesting turn this week. On Sunday night, at the end of a birthday celebration, I saw the news of Ramona’s evacuation in the face of the oncoming Witch Creek Fire that would race through the central part of San Diego County covering something close to 40 miles in less than 24 hours). I’m not sure how long before the order had been given, but I began to frantically call anyone whose number I had or remembered and got nothing but answering machines. Having served in the community for six years, I became attached to a number of those folks. While I am no longer their pastor, I am still their friend. I resolved the next day to head down to the area shelters to find and connect with these friends. Little did I know what would lay ahead.

My journey there was long…the fire had already breached the 15 Freeway on its race to the ocean. I had to detour all the way to the coast because the inland route was blocked. My search took me to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego (soon to be home to many thousands of displaced people). What a truly extraordinary experience. I ended up spending the whole night, partly because the freeway was closed and partly because I simply couldn’t leave. I prayed with people, counseled people, moved food and supplies, tried to coordinate efforts and in other ways simply tried to be present for folks.

What I experienced was astounding. First, the City of San Diego had learned the lessons they needed to learn after the Cedar Fire four years ago. The coordination effort at the stadium was very good. Relief came on line fairly quickly. More extraordinary than that was the response of the people of the greater San Diego area. Shortly after noon a steady stream of people began to drive to the stadium. Each car and truck was loaded with relief supplies. Everything from personal hygiene products to bedding to clothing to water to food to baby supplies to pet food came pouring in in mass quantities. A company came with the ability to do cell phone charging. People had wireless internet access. Insurance companies soon arrived to begin the process of relief. Restaurants came to bring prepared food for meals. Volunteers swarmed to Qualcomm. Some had needed medical specialties which were especially important with the numbers of elderly evacuated from assisted living and skilled nursing. Some simply wanted to help. All were willing to do whatever was necessary to bring relief.

For almost 24 hours I watched and participated in the pageant of the best of the human condition. When the freeway opened up and relief arrived I was torn between wanting to stay and help and needing to go home to sleep. In the end, sleep won out, but the lessons learned, the hope experienced and the inspiration gained will carry me for a long time to come.