Attending the Silverado County Fair and Art Festival located in a rural area a half hour from Irvine, I repeatedly commented on how the entire area looked so dry with stalks of light-brown grass and foliage. It looked like a disaster waiting to happen!  Only days later, the fires began!  We watched from our home in Irvine, as flames were shooting up over tree-tops a few miles away!  The air was stifling, like breathing in burnt ashes!  Preparing to evacuate if needed, residents had to decide what to pack of their life possessions!  Spared by the wind turning in another direction, we worried about others.

 From Malibu to Irvine to numerous San Diego areas, it seemed as if we were surrounded by fire!  As a trained experienced Critical Incident Stress Debriefer, I worked for weeks in San Diego County.  Large companies and schools were utilizing Debriefers: some LCSW members of the Orange County Counseling & Psychotherapy Referral Service-NASW, Red Cross, and from national networks, etc.  I walked for miles through the burn areas, viewing the massive devastation, observing blackened homes reduced to charcoal parts, cars half their size and struggled to breathe, in the smoke-filled air!  Standing with a family, staring in disbelief at the remains of their dwelling, I asked if they needed assistance with food, clothing or shelter.  The wife said you already have by asking. Relatives were taking care of them and they were counting on their insurance coverage to rebuild.  The few houses left standing were so smoke damaged that they probably would be demolished.  I'll never forget the blank stares of the children trying to find their possessions, but found none!

  Some overwhelmed homeowners were remembering their recovery from the 2003 Cedar fires and now must face repairing or rebuilding again!  Some employees were recounting every detail of the fire threat, deciding what to do and when to evacuate.  One man was traumatized realizing that his decision to delay leaving with his family could have cost them their lives, as they barely escaped a huge fire wall!  A waitress told me she took a family home as all the motels were filled.  She has gained an extended family.  One gentleman had to rush into a huge company to shut off many large computers so they would not overheat, since the air conditioners were not operating.  After successfully completing this task, he had to utilize many techniques to destress and deal with the intense pressure and drama he experienced!  Gas and Electric workers had to repair cables down from high winds and had to turn off utilities in abandoned homes to avoid added danger.  Schools, senior centers and the stadium became shelters.  Some companies provided apartment housing for employees and gave them time off to take care of immediate needs.  Animals were housed by friends living out of the fire areas.  A senior employee, living alone, who does not drive at night, packed her car to evacuate to a supermarket parking lot if told to leave.  We discussed planning for the future with her local church.  A few spouses living in rural areas, victims of the Cedar fires of 2003 decided it is time to move even if this causes separation from unwilling spouses.  They could no longer live in jeopardy.  A mother asked for advice on how to reassure her children who are experiencing nightmares.  The thousands of shared traumatic experiences will last a lifetime.

Overall, trauma brings back past trauma.  Those who went into the helpful action mode, caused some others who were frozen and terrified to feel inadequate and guilty, although not intending to do so.  However, the wonderful caring, sharing and helpfulness of members of entire communities prevailed which will never be forgotten.  The Red Cross went into action as always.  Due to the generous contributions from the American people, the Red Cross had enough money for all operations!  They are now accepting funds to replenish their reserves for future needs.  Thank you, Red Cross, our courageous fire fighters and volunteers and FEMA for all your support.

  Coping skills and the grieving process were and will be utilized dealing with residual trauma and the process of healing and rebuilding for a long time.  For everyone, the most important message to learn for the future is "preparedness.".    See the web page titled "Preparedness" ways to be ready for disasters.