Major fire blazing above me; may have to evacuate! =(

[Sean Reynolds]

Major fire has been burning since yesterday not too far from my house. We were told by the fire department that we may have to evacuate if the winds shift westward (which will fan the flames toward the homes).

I'm pretty freaked out right now. We're just waiting on word to leave the house.

http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_192002637.html

There is the story.

[madmax]

1. We're thinking of you Sean -

maybe you shouldn't wait, lock up and leave the house now.

[Circe_Invidiosa]

20. bless your heart

my prayers go with you and your family

[Cheswick2.0]

2. gather up your photographs

and be ready to go. Be careful

[Ediacara]

3. Good luck Sean

Forest fires a new experience for me. Well up close and personal, that is.... I had moved from Seattle, to small town Montana two summers ago, and being able to see fires from my balcony, having the air engulfed in thick smoke, it's weird. Luckily, there have not yet been any evacuation calls for me, and hopefully not for you either.

[JohnKleeb]

11. welcome back dino

how was your digging?

[DUreader]

4. Pack what you want to save now!

[northofdenali]

5. I'm sending good karma - keep yourselves safe!

Best of all good luck to you and yours, Sean.

[SmileyBoy]

6. That fuckin sucks, bro.

Reminds me of when my house was flooded in Fargo when I was a little kid.

If you got a place to stay, like with friends, or other family members, I would just suggest high-tailing it out of there. How close are you to the mountains or foothills? I know that SLC has foothills on the west end, and all development just ceases next to the foothills. If you're pretty deep into the city, I would then just wait.

Good luck.

[Sean Reynolds]

9. Pretty far up. A few houses behind me, than rock and mountain.

[SmileyBoy]

10. Damn. I would just leave now, to be safe.

Another thing is that you also don't want the fire penetrating the city. I think downtown's pretty close to the foothills, as well. I hope they're containing it as best they can, cause SLC might be in danger, too.

[Sean Reynolds]

7. Thanks all!

I've got some stuff packed JUST in case. *crosses fingers I don't need to leave*.

[lkinsale]

8. *fingers crossed*

[JitterbugPerfume]

13. Keep yourself safe Sean

and let us know how things are going OK?

[blondeatlast]

12. Take care!

nm

[Sean Reynolds]

14. Good news.

My mom was out talking to a neighbor and it looks like the winds are pushing it east, up the mountain. They still say there is a threat, but nothing as major as they thought.

We'll be on alert for the night, but if all holds well, they'll have the fire under control by then. :)

[maxanne]

15. I hope the fire gets under control

and you don't have to go anywhere. It's scary - I lived in the Sierra Nevadas for 2 years, and there was a huge fire burning about 12 miles from my house one summer.

Sending good thoughts, from NH

[Melsky]

16. Hope you will be ok

fires are scary! I'm glad the wind changed.

[SmileyBoy]

17. Awesome!!!

I wouldn't want to see you or anyone there lose their house. There's been too much of that happening the past 10 years or so...

[buddhamama]

18. be careful

don't hesitate if they tell you to go.

so sorry.

please take care and keep us posted if you can.

will be thinking of you.

[amazona]

19. I'm sorry, been through similar recently

My house was mostly crushed by Tropical Storm Bill and then the feds had the nerve to say it wasn't a federal disaster, although it was -- their motive was that FEMA is already out of money.

If you even THINK you have to evacuate, go ahead and pack up what you can save -- pets, jewelry, cash, financial documents, PHOTOGRAPHS, etc. Make sure your vehicle is topped off with gas and ready to go.

I don't know if you rent or not. If you own, homeowner's will cover your losses but...as I am discovering...it is a loooonnnngggg drawn-out process. I am currently camping out in what remains of my house waiting for the paperwork to get dealt with so I can put a freaking roof (instead of a tarp) over my place.

When they tell you to evacuate, be ready. Don't stay in harm's way to save "things," it's not worth it.

My heart goes out to you. This sucks, buddy, because FEMA is not going to be there for you if Louisiana's experience with Bill is any guideline...they are saying FEMA is broke!n So save everything you can...the feds are not going to help you. This totally stinks!!!

[Porcupine]

21. If the fire bombers aren't circleing you it's not your turn to burn

I live in the California hills. Fire is a threat every summer here too and I've seen some doozies including the Oakland hills burn.

If you get safe from this one think of that burn as a nice firebreak. It can't get you from that direction for a while. Consider also if you're house has the proper firebreak cut around it. Most don't.

Good luck.

[Norm357]

22. good luck Sean