When I drove into work today, I was amazed by the amazing amount of smoke as I passed through the Mira Mesa and Miramar areas. Even with the fire burning dozens of miles to the east, the smoke was so thick that every car had its headlights on -- it was as dark as a night with a half-moon.

Currently the fire is nearing the the community of Julian -- famous locally for its apples and apple pies. By the time those of you on the East Coast read this, Julian may already be little more than ashes.