Saturday, November 15, 2008

Fire Near GDA -- Prayers Appreciated

Those of you who live here in California know the perils of fire season -- when it's hot and dry and windy, as it is every autumn, things can get scary.

There's a pretty big fire burning in Sylmar right now, which is where Guide Dogs of America is located. I woke up to several e-mails this morning from puppy raiser group area leaders and GDA employees. The current situation is that all the dogs and puppies were safely evacuated at 1:30 this morning, and that the campus is still standing, but without power or phone service.

Fires are unpredictable, and sometimes even when things are seemingly under control, the winds can change and bring about a whole new situation. Your prayers are appreciated: for the campus itself, the staff and volunteers, the dogs and puppies, and especially the first-responders who are taking care of business on the fire lines.

Many thanks.

9 comments:

Penjammin said...

Thanks for the heads up.

Emily said...

I hope GDA makes it through the fire, and I'm glad all of the dogs are safe!

Kimberly and Rufus said...

Oh my gosh, I didn't realize the fires were near GDA. Will say a prayer or hundred.

8675309 said...

Update: all evacuated dogs have been redistributed to puppy raiser homes for a couple of days (or longer, depending on fire containment), and everyone's safe. Last I heard, the campus was still standing (but again, we don't know much of anything until we get "official" word from someone).

Many thanks to my wonderful fiance, who drove all the way to Pasadena in the midst of heat, smoke and ugly traffic in order to pick up a dog at the redistribution center. We know Geo's people appreciate it! :)

L^2 said...

Very glad to hear all the dogs are safe and in foster homes. Hope GDA survives the fire too.

8675309 said...

This just in: the school is safe, and their phones and e-mail systems are back up and running.

Thanks, everyone, for your prayers!

Kimberly and Rufus said...

That is great news! Does that mean the fire is out, or just moved away from GDA?

8675309 said...

Well, as of this moment, the fire's only 30 or 40 percent contained, so it's not really out. And again, the winds could always shift or what have you....

But word from the school is that things are safe, and I figure they wouldn't make that call unless they were confident. So, that's great news!

cube said...

I thought of you when I heard about the fires. Thank goodness all is well. Stay safe.