The aftermath...

I took my first ride in Santiago Canyon today. It’s been approximately 18 days since the fires were set, but the smoke and ash have cleared, thus, I felt it safe enough for my respiratory system and I to venture into the aftermath.

Santiago Canyon Road is a favorite of Orange County cyclists. The road has a generously wide bike lane on both sides and from El Toro Road, where it becomes Santiago Canyon, to the 241 Toll Road, there are no traffic signals. It’s a good 10-12 miles of freedom from stop and go traffic. At various points along the road there are off-shoots to Modjeska and Silverado canyon which are challenging for even advanced riders. From where we live, I can ride into the canyon, and all the way to Corona Del Mar, and back, if so desired. A friend and I did that ride once, and it took almost 4 hours. Thus, the reason why that’s been the only time I’ve done that. =0)

I will say this: no news coverage did justice to the amount of destruction that area suffered. It nearly took my breath away to see how expansive the charred areas are. Literally, on both sides of the road, the ground is charred beyond recognition. What were once beautiful rows of trees, are literally now, ash-black skeletons, sadly reduced to half or less than half of their original size. But, and here’s the most amazing part: the homes lining the canyons are beautifully intact. Unbelieveable. Of course, some further into the canyon, in parts of Modjeska and Silverado, did lose their homes, but along Santiago Canyon Road, amidst all the charred land, the homes are there. As though the fires purposely burned around the homes. There is a beautiful community up the road, called Santiago Canyon Estates, and when I rode past, I saw a fabulous sign. Had to share it with you all here.

A fire captain shared in an interview recently that our community was built with firefighter input. They built the homes where they did, and the way they did, based on elements such as the wind patterns and the hill structure. When I surveyed the damage near our home, I thought about this interview. And, now I can see, he is right. Not only did the fire appear to burn around the homes in the canyon, but if you were to come and see the effects of the fire where I live, you’ll see that somehow the fire burned right up to our complex, then around and back behind all the homes above us, as though it was purposely avoiding them, and burning just the canyon brush behind the homes. Incredible.

I wrote a letter to the fire department this week and will send it out with some pictures. There are posters and signs everywhere in our community thanking the firefighters. We even celebrated them at Saddleback Church last weekend, where, trust me, there was no dry eye in the house. Words will never be enough to describe the gratitude we have for all the firefighters and other law enforcement personnel who saved our homes and our lives, but at least, at the conclusion of the service, I had the opportunity to give hugs and say a simple “thank you” to them in person.

We heart firefighters.

Aloha
‘da Yosh Fam