Discovery

I grew up (for most of my life) in Riverside, CA. Here’s a map:

As you can see, Riverside is just southeast of Ontario and far east of Los Angeles. It’s pretty much a desert, in most ways, with the exception of the Hidden Valley Wildlife Preserve, which ran behind my house. The Santa Ana River runs through it, so it’s surrounded by thick foliage, most of it a bamboo forest.

Here’s one of the main entrances to the park

It’s pretty desolate. If you’ve seen my Los Angeles to Riverside biking video, the end of it is a great example of the area I lived in. Lots of rolling hills and dry brush.

This meant that every year, as summer started, we always had to prepare for brush fires. The infamous Santa Ana winds that came down off the mountains make for a brush fire nightmare.

I experienced my first brush fire in 1994, when the hills around my house caught fire. I remember thinking how fun it was to hose down the house and the grass in the backyard as ashes fell down on me. This was my initial reaction, of course. But I fully understood the danger of the predicament when I was told to pack a box of my most favorite belongings, in case we had to leave.

I empathize so dearly with those that are suffering because of these fires. They’re terrifying, mostly because you feel so goddamn helpless.

So how can the rest of you help out the half million people who have been displaced?

Run on over to Shakespeare’s Sister and read this detailed post about the different charities and organizations you can donate to that will provide IMMEDIATE assistance to those in need. This is a great opportunity for your kindness and generosity to help someone RIGHT NOW. I just donated $20 to the Red Cross, even though I’m nearly broke! I know that, even if it seems like chump change, it helps.

Make sure to check in with your friends out here in Southern California and see if they’re ok. Give your emotional support too! Anything helps.