I have been watching all the news about the fires, and I know some of you are in California, but I'm not sure what part of the state. I hope everyone is OK and the fires aren't affecting any of you personally who post here at MB. If you want, check in and let us know.

I lived in CA for all of my life till last year and still have a home out there and family. Even having lived there I can't imagine how insane things must have been just from what I heard, read online and the pictures I saw.

I thank God my house was spared, I think the fire came within 1-2 miles of it.

The sad thing is if someone did experience a loss we might not hear from them for some time to come if everything is gone <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

One of the guys I work with spent the last four days moving horses in his horse trailer to keep them away from the fire. I've been watching the stories on the news and it is just so sad. There was one group of homes out in the brush where the people got no warning. In fact the fire trucks had just pulled up to the entrance of the development and had to leave, knowing there were still people trying to get out. The only road out was almost completely engulfed when the FD left. Three people jumped in their swimming pool and survived. Another father grabbed his wife and children and drove around in an empty field dodging the flames, while his toddler screamed "Daddy, hot, hot". He saved his family. Over 1700 families have lost their homes, and some lost their children. My blood is running cold thinking about these victims who have lost everything. And then I think about the ungrateful people in this world who have just decided to throw it all away. It really woke me up.

Eduard - you're right, if something DID happen to someone from these boards, we might not hear of it for a while. That's another reason for people to check in, so we'll know they're safe.

Believer - I hadn't thought of the parallel between people who lose things in catastrophes and WS who throw it all away and also end up with nothing. My sympathies are with the fire victims, though.

So far, no bad news directly from MB members,thank goodness!

And there is no marriage insurance which is even worse.

At least with losing all material items they can be replaced.