buzzfink 5 #1 October 27, 2003 Today, Sunday, October 26, 2003, San Diego County in California is on fire. This is the worst fire this county has ever seen. From the south to the north to the east, fires rage. Skydive San Diego, through the volunteer help of it's staff and jumpers, evacuated all skydiving gear and other essential equipment as time permitted. At about 2:30pm, the blaze was just 800 feet from our runway. We were ordered to evacuate and we did. We do not know if any buildings survived yet or if there is anything left but we hope to find out early Monday AM. We are very lucky. Many families and businesses did not fare as well and lost homes, businesses and precoius lives. We saved our gear, the buildings were insured, the aircraft got out early and if needed, we can rebuild. I cannot say enough about the voluteers that helped today. From Brook, to Ron, to Matt, Steve, Andy, Greg, Maggie, Christian, Pete, Don, Simon, etc. You guys saved the DZ. Thanks. I will update this on Monday when I actually get to see the DZ and can post a damage report. Blue Skies! Buzz Fink Skydive San Diego, Inc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #2 October 27, 2003 My fingers are crossed that the buildings are still there when they let you back in... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #3 October 27, 2003 Vibes and prayers for you...and that the DZ is still there when you get there next. It's pretty bad all over.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #4 October 27, 2003 Our best to you, Buzz. I'm very glad that you were able to clear out what you did and hope you bounce back soon. Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #5 October 27, 2003 I am glad to know that everyone is safe with the evacuation, and that you were able to save your gear/equipment. I have had the pleasure of jumping at your beautiful DZ and hope to be able to do so again in the future. My hope is that your DZ is somehow spared by the flames. Take care and please keep us posted. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #6 October 27, 2003 good work on getting all the gear out. As you stated your building are insured, so here's hoping the inconveinence isn't to long and costly for youYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,447 #7 October 27, 2003 Best to you guys. Sounds like a lot of folks pitched in. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #8 October 27, 2003 Kudos and vibes, my friend. Keep us updated. Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #9 October 27, 2003 Buzz, I just want you to know that you and all the SDSD crew have been in my thoughts this weekend. I know your karma bank balance is high, so all will be well. Thank you for keeping the community informed and please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Johnny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #10 October 27, 2003 Vibes and best wishes. Hope all is well when you return.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sara85 0 #11 October 27, 2003 well put, I know people when trying to leave in the cars etc. They never made it because the fire caught them before they could get away ........... Keep us posted.. Sara Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buzzfink 5 #12 October 27, 2003 It's Monday at 1:00 in the afternoon. Still cannot gain access to the DZ. Smoke is too thick to permit a flight over to check it out. I heard that as of 7pm last night, the DZ grass and trees were all burned down.....but the buildings survived. Seems one of our ultralighters decided to stay instead of evacuate. Not the brightest idea but he may have saved all the buildings. He fired up our water pump and was wetting down some of the buildings. He thought he could stay maybe another hour. After about half an hour, at about 3:30 pm, he said the fire engulfed and passed the DZ burning all natural vegitations to the North, East South and West. He put out a couple of fires around the buildings when embers fell on a towel and some loose debris. But as of 7pm Sunday night, all buildings were in tact. It was by by the grace of god (and Larry the Ultralighter) that our buildings are still in tact. I'll update when I know more. Blue Skies! Buzz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #13 October 27, 2003 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shark 0 #14 October 27, 2003 That's great news! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freesoul 0 #15 October 27, 2003 You've been in our thoughts this week-end and I am glad everyone made it safe. Hope structures will be saved from this terrible uncontained fire. Let us know if there 's anything we can do to help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Hooknswoop 19 #16 October 27, 2003 QuoteLarry the Ultralighter I'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive. Glad to hear everything made it. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #17 October 27, 2003 WOW! Simply amazing what extremes people will go to! Best wishes to all affected by the fires.... Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites wmw999 2,447 #18 October 27, 2003 QuoteI'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive First smack him for being so stupid as to stay. Then give him the free tandem Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skytash 0 #19 October 27, 2003 I can see loads of beer travelling Larry's way! Good to hear you got yourselves and your gear into safety and that Larry kept the buildings intact. tashDon't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is a special occasion. Avril Sloe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AggieDave 6 #20 October 27, 2003 QuoteI'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive. Tandem skydive, a lot of beer at the very least! That's great to hear Buzz, glad that your DZ was saved!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sara85 0 #21 October 28, 2003 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites VectorBoy 0 #22 October 28, 2003 QuoteQuoteLarry the Ultralighter I'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive. Glad to hear everything made it. Derek Hail Larry the Ultralighter! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites buzzfink 5 #23 October 28, 2003 It's Monday at 5pm. It is unbelievable but the DZ made it through the fire!!! One fireman told me he could not understand how the fire did not ravage the DZ (I wasn't going to tell him about crazy larry who stayed) but flattened everything around it. All four sides of the DZ are pitch black with burnt vegitation. Several poles along the edge of the property were still on fire with little flames. Several 5 gallon water jugs took care of that. Once again, thanks to everyone who helped, called, e-mailed and prayed for us. It worked. Blue Skies!! Buzz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AndyWilson 0 #24 October 28, 2003 great news Buzz - the dz guardian angel seriously went all out it seems! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freesoul 0 #25 October 28, 2003 That is wonderful, I am so happy the DZ made it good. I wish we had more crazy Larry around ! It's being out of control as of now out east. Keep us posted and any tips from Larry might, who knows helps us save our homes ! Cheers JK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
Shark 0 #14 October 27, 2003 That's great news! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freesoul 0 #15 October 27, 2003 You've been in our thoughts this week-end and I am glad everyone made it safe. Hope structures will be saved from this terrible uncontained fire. Let us know if there 's anything we can do to help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #16 October 27, 2003 QuoteLarry the Ultralighter I'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive. Glad to hear everything made it. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #17 October 27, 2003 WOW! Simply amazing what extremes people will go to! Best wishes to all affected by the fires.... Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,447 #18 October 27, 2003 QuoteI'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive First smack him for being so stupid as to stay. Then give him the free tandem Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skytash 0 #19 October 27, 2003 I can see loads of beer travelling Larry's way! Good to hear you got yourselves and your gear into safety and that Larry kept the buildings intact. tashDon't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is a special occasion. Avril Sloe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #20 October 27, 2003 QuoteI'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive. Tandem skydive, a lot of beer at the very least! That's great to hear Buzz, glad that your DZ was saved!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sara85 0 #21 October 28, 2003 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites VectorBoy 0 #22 October 28, 2003 QuoteQuoteLarry the Ultralighter I'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive. Glad to hear everything made it. Derek Hail Larry the Ultralighter! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites buzzfink 5 #23 October 28, 2003 It's Monday at 5pm. It is unbelievable but the DZ made it through the fire!!! One fireman told me he could not understand how the fire did not ravage the DZ (I wasn't going to tell him about crazy larry who stayed) but flattened everything around it. All four sides of the DZ are pitch black with burnt vegitation. Several poles along the edge of the property were still on fire with little flames. Several 5 gallon water jugs took care of that. Once again, thanks to everyone who helped, called, e-mailed and prayed for us. It worked. Blue Skies!! Buzz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AndyWilson 0 #24 October 28, 2003 great news Buzz - the dz guardian angel seriously went all out it seems! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freesoul 0 #25 October 28, 2003 That is wonderful, I am so happy the DZ made it good. I wish we had more crazy Larry around ! It's being out of control as of now out east. Keep us posted and any tips from Larry might, who knows helps us save our homes ! Cheers JK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
VectorBoy 0 #22 October 28, 2003 QuoteQuoteLarry the Ultralighter I'm thinking he gets a free tandem skydive. Glad to hear everything made it. Derek Hail Larry the Ultralighter! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buzzfink 5 #23 October 28, 2003 It's Monday at 5pm. It is unbelievable but the DZ made it through the fire!!! One fireman told me he could not understand how the fire did not ravage the DZ (I wasn't going to tell him about crazy larry who stayed) but flattened everything around it. All four sides of the DZ are pitch black with burnt vegitation. Several poles along the edge of the property were still on fire with little flames. Several 5 gallon water jugs took care of that. Once again, thanks to everyone who helped, called, e-mailed and prayed for us. It worked. Blue Skies!! Buzz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyWilson 0 #24 October 28, 2003 great news Buzz - the dz guardian angel seriously went all out it seems! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freesoul 0 #25 October 28, 2003 That is wonderful, I am so happy the DZ made it good. I wish we had more crazy Larry around ! It's being out of control as of now out east. Keep us posted and any tips from Larry might, who knows helps us save our homes ! Cheers JK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
