Monday morning, we woke to the TV news that fires became 8 full blown firestorms spread along Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Chula vista, near the Mexico border, Scripps Ranch, San Marcos and Fallbrook. And Fallbrook is the nearest to us, being 20 miles away only.

It was a work day, so, after I dropped off Gino at Ralph's, I passed by a nearby Lowe's Lumber and bought a 5-pack nose masks as I listened to my van's radio for the lastest news about the fire. The radio announcers and local officials were advising the people to stay home and off the road. Then, as I droved by Highway 76 west, I noticed the usually very light traffic at this 7 am morning was becoming heavier. I later learnt that the Interstate Highway 15 was closed from Freeway 78 up to Freeway 56 and motorists are taking 76 to I-5 North to downtown San Diego. After passing the Freeway 78 bridge, I decided to just drive back home after seeing several fire trucks from Los Angeles and that's when the traffic was started to back up. What more when noon and afternoon come, it would be a mess and I was right. After calling my office and calling Nette, who was still at home, I let them know I was heading home. Nette would later know hers too that she's not coming in.