Two-Acre Fire Update: Gilman, San Diego

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Post on Jan 24, 2025

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Two-Acre Fire Update: Gilman, San Diego - A Close Call

Okay, folks, let me tell you, this whole Two-Acre Fire thing in Gilman, San Diego, was intense. I live pretty close, and let me tell you, the sirens? They were nonstop. It felt like the end of the world for a hot minute. Seriously.

I'm still kind of shaken up, to be honest. I saw the smoke from my back porch – a huge, ominous plume. My first thought? Grab my phone, my dog, and my important documents. My second? Where's the darn hose? I’m usually pretty prepared, but you know how it is sometimes – life gets in the way.

<h3>What happened in Gilman?</h3>

So, this fire started near Gilman Drive, apparently, something about dry brush and a spark. It spread pretty fast, believe me. I saw the news helicopters circling overhead. It was crazy. They called it a "two-acre fire" but honestly, from where I was standing, it seemed way bigger.

The fire crews were amazing though, absolute heroes. They were everywhere. You could hear the helicopters and the fire trucks constantly. They worked so fast! I'm so grateful for all their hard work. They contained it, thank goodness. But there's still a lingering smell of smoke – a constant reminder.

<h3>Lessons Learned (the hard way):</h3>

This whole ordeal really put things into perspective. I mean, seriously, I got complacent. I always thought, "Oh, it won't happen to me." Wrong.

Here's what I learned (and what you should remember):

• Develop a solid evacuation plan: Yeah, yeah, I know, it sounds boring, but seriously, you need one. Know your escape routes, have a meeting point for your family, and practice it. Don't wait for a real fire.
• Prepare your home: Clear flammable materials away from your house – that includes bushes, dry leaves, even the wood pile. I'm going to be trimming my bushes this weekend, for sure!
• Invest in a hose: My hose? It’s old and brittle. Time for a new one – I'm ordering one online today. A garden hose isn't going to put out a massive fire, but it might help with spot fires until the professionals arrive.
• Know your surroundings: Be aware of what's around you; know your neighbors, and your community. This fire showed me how important it is to have a sense of community, and having a network of support, to check on people and get help, is vital.
• Stay Informed: Pay attention to local news and weather alerts. They're often your first warning. Download the local emergency app – you know, the one your town uses – and check it regularly during dry seasons.

<h3>Looking Ahead:</h3>

The smoke has mostly cleared, but it's still surreal. The firefighters were amazing, and I'm so relieved they contained the fire quickly.

I know this is a pretty dramatic story, and hopefully, it won’t happen again anytime soon. But it's a reminder that preparedness is key. You have to be ready for anything, even something as unexpected as a two-acre fire. Trust me. It's far better to be prepared and never need it than to need it and not be.

This is a friendly reminder that you can never be too prepared, and I really hope no one else has to go through something similar. Stay safe, San Diego!

(P.S. I'm also looking into a fire-resistant sprinkler system for my house. Any recommendations are welcome!)