Valley Fire in Cobb, CA

I was in Cobb at a house we own when the Valley Fire erupted on September 12, 2015 less than four miles away. The wind was gusting 20 miles an hour for much of the day and lots of pine cones and needles had been raining down. Looking up into the trees I saw how stressed many of them were from years of drought and an infestation of beetles. Not realizing the extent and rapidity of the fire's spread, I stayed in Cobb until 5:30 pm, and found my way down blocked in all but one direction. It sounded at times like a battle zone with helicopters overhead and explosions from bursting propane tanks and pine trees. The high winds broadcast burning embers in every direction, making it very difficult for any kind of effort to contain the explosive growth of the inferno. Firefighters had to make difficult choices about which houses to defend. It is hard to grasp the absolute devastation to our extended community. So far I've not been able to get into the area to see what is left, but we assume our house and many more in the area are gone.