I don't think the NYC news broadcasts have covered this story, or at any rate I haven't seen anything about it. PLEASE give follow-up here as well as the general chit-chat board. Many people will be anxious to see how they fared. Praying it all works out ---

OK, I'll update you here.... if my daughter ever takes 2 minutes to call her worried mom and update me!

As of 4 hrs ago, they say the fire is 30% contained and many of the 30,000 people that were evacuated can start to return home!!!!!

Still praying!!!

I can't even imagine the fear and desperation....my prayers are with everyone in the path of this thing. last I heard over 100 homes down, just to sad!

Just heard (finally) a story on the NY news about the fires, and it sounds like good news. Supposedly evacuation orders have been lifted. Hope that's true and all will be able to return to their homes safely. When she calls pls let us know.

the latest....
My daughter finally checked in with us. Unfortunately, I don't have answers to all my questions because she called her dad at work this afternoon knowing I was probably asleep for my daily long nap. What he did get though, is that she is ok. Her business is still there, but vandalized already; their brand new, classy, very expensive sign was stolen. Why would someone want a business sign? I hope she took a photo of it before she left for her conference. Sadly, she is not allowed anywhere near her home so she's still scared about it's outcome. She is staying with her friend who had her dog and car. There's no room for us there or at any motel but we can stay at my cousin's about 2hrs away if she wants us to come help clean up or something. I barely clean my own house these days but there are probably small tasks I can do. She said she will call us on Monday; hopefully she will know everything by then. DH didn't think to ask about her asthma in the smoke-filled air.

The temperature is more mild and the winds are less which are helping the firefighters.
Although improving from the 10% containment to 30% now, it still is very bad. The official guess is this won't be considered controlled until May 13th. Hopefully, her house is safe and continues to remain so.

I will update you again on Monday. Maybe Vanessa will call me tomorrow, if in all the chaos she remembers it is Mother's Day. I sure understand if she doesn't, except that knowing her, she will be so upset with herself later.

Thank you again for all your prayers and concern,

Thanks for the update . I for the life of me can't figure out why disasters bring out the mean and evil in people. Stealing her sign ? Like you said Why ??? But if that is the worst it can be dealt with . Still praying her house is ok.
Sharon

update....
Vanessa, back in Santa Barbara, was finally allowed to go see her house. It took over 2 hours to go the 15min drive because for fear of rock slides (no foliage left to hold them up on the hill), authorities are escorting only 10 cars at a time. Vanessa and her neighbors passed devastation, but their houses are OK! They were told to gather as much as they can in case rock slides do happen and they cannot return for awhile. So, she grabbed her violin, quilt, and clothes and returned to her friend's. As far as her business, that sign was stolen and graffitti painted but it's ok inside. They will decide by tomorrow pm whether or not to cancel the open house even though it will cost them to do so. The party was to be set up in the parking lot which is covered with ash now and she doesn't want people to have to wear masks. Like my husband (as I eat humble pie), I too forgot to ask about her own health; is her asthma acting up. I hope to remember on tomorrow night's phone call.

The fire is 55% contained now. Improving. Evacuation is lifted for many neighborhoods. Animal shelters are full, fairgrounds full of farm animals.

Bellaboo-- I asked her why her landlord said he'd try to get only one item from the house. She said it was because he was mainly going to try to rescue her housemate's cat and as he lives next door, he was frantic about his own wife, 3 kids and pets.

I'll report more in a couple days, as things hopefully wind down there.
Cathy

It is good to hear that her home and business are ok!!! I hope they get the fire contained as planned if not sooner!!!

Oh, am so glad her house is ok, and that she managed to grab some of her cherished belongings. They said on the news here that the fires were easing up. Have been worried, thinking about your daughter and her husband and everyone else that is suffering. These fires are so devastating. Fingers crossed that all is back to normal soon