Slice of Heaven

Hoffman Brown, our insurance carrier is on the phone. "Are you okay? Is there anything that we could do for you?"

Our hearts raced -- never have we received a personalized phone call like this with a private cell phone number!

Our home in Carbon Beach is a Slice Of Heaven.

So, let's go, I said, let's take a drive down PCH -- discouraged by all, especially my children. I had promised not to take the drive. I had said I was going out to pick up art paper for my daughters' school project, and that I'd be back in a minute. My Slavic soul took over. Call me foolish, passionate, crazy, maybe all of the above... but I had to go see her one last time.

As I drove down PCH I was amazed at how quickly I was able to go. Roadblocks, yes, but as a Malibu resident with all the proper documentation I cleared them a few times. Smooth sailing until I hit Big Rock!

At that moment on the radio an announcement was made that Carbon Beach was in danger, that the fire was bearing down, and that roads are closed. A brisk police officer doing his job -- turning everyone away with no heart, no compassion for families trying to get through to save their homes, get to their children, and rescue their pets. A horrible experience. A woman desperate just barreled through; the officer made note of her license plate number. I said to myself, good for her. I wish I were that brave. My adrenaline took over and I decided to walk. Thank god I keep a pair of running shoes in my trunk, for just this reason, an emergency.

Here I go talking myself again, convincing myself that it's not that far, and doing the five more minutes speech to myself. Two hours and two blisters later I see my Slice Of Heaven consumed in the mix of it all. Fire trucks, smoke, and more anxiety!

My house -- can I rescue it? Absurd! What am I thinking? Take things out -- put them where? No car! On foot. Cell phone almost dead, but iPhone takes a good photo. Should I forsake the battery for an image or two? Of course! And shit -- where's my camera when I need one. I'm a photographer for god's sake.

I keep walking. Deranged, I begin to run as I see all the action in front of my home. The fires coming in over the ridge, moving quickly... running past friends' homes.

I arrive and hear my name once, twice, but I'm deranged. In the eye of the storm, my name again, someone grabs my arm -- one of my closest girlfriends appears from nowhere, soot on her face. She's been battling as well. What were we both doing here? She and her boyfriend -- a famous music producer -- were here since the morning in Sierra Retreat, saving the extensive library of music that he's worked on all his life. Car loaded, they're leaving. They're on their way out, I'm on my way in. After walking and running two hours, there was no way was I leaving. I enter my home, take what I can, and leave it three doors down. Once again I'm deranged, delusional -- call it what you will. Again I'm talking to myself, now what? My Slice of Heaven in the middle of Armageddon!

The Fire Department tapped into our hydrant. As I rush out to see what's happening, the fire was coming straight at us.

50 miles per hour winds and flames across the highway. Out of the heavens it seems as though snow is failing from the helicopter. Fire Deterrent. Surreal...

Now at a friend's house, wearing a mask. The sky is thick with ember. I'm thinking this crazy wildfire has passed, but no! It's back.

Okay, so how do I get back to my car? Good question! I say to myself... Walking is the only solution but to my rescue, a good samaritan asks if I need a lift -- Thank you, Michael. My feet shall be forever in your debt.

We missed the flames by a hair, unfortunately others where not so fortunate

Slice of Heaven still standing, at least today, October 22, 2007.

All photos by Danica except the last, which is by the Los Angeles Times.

Comments

[dothedance]

Wow, what an amazing story. I am sorry your house was in danger but this story will stay with you for the rest of your life!! What an experience....im glad to hear your house is still standing

-dothedance

[Timothy Karr - Huffpost Blogger]

1. Median cost of a Malibu home: $1,148,105

2. Carbon Beach is one of Malibu's most exclusive residential areas. It's highly likely homes there cost well above the city's average.

But that's really not the point is it? I don't mean to unfairly single out Ms. Perez, but to make a point about a bigger problem (rampant mortgage defaults). This issue, sadly, isn't receiving wall-to-wall coverage on CNN.

[JoDeeVa]

Median cost is somewhat misleading, as the opulent and exclusive residential homes, such as those in Carbon Beach are SOO much higher than those owned by average Malibu residents. It falsely inflates the "average residential home median" cost.

That being said, median cost of homes in Latigo Canyon where I lived have doubled+ in 20 years. Still, those on the lower end compare with others in LA. Most people I knew then who wanted to live out of the city, bought cheaper plots of land in Latigo and built for much less than the going price at the time. The sort of opulence and gluttony I witnessed in the later years of my residence is one of main reasons I chose to move.

More to the excellent point you make being the issue.
The extravaganza of wall-to-wall coverage on CNN of California in flames is a sign of the times, however the day after the 1982 fire, I was awakened by a news crew and reporter, knocking on my "much less than opulent" door. It will pass, but you're right about rampant mortgage defaults..CNN should be moving on to wall-to-wall coverage on that much bigger problem..not letting THAT pass!

File it under "one thing leads to another"...
After your 2nd comment, I checked your bio. I have both SavetheInternet.com and MediaCitzen linked on my blog. I have a video and link at myspace. Hadn't made the connection with your name. Just wanted to say "Thanks!" for your efforts; much relevant information has come my way through you guys!
I just posted the latest video on my blog! Yayah!!

[Timothy Karr - Huffpost Blogger]

You nearly lost your million-dollar Malibu home. Life must be tough. Meanwhile, millions of Americans are in a last-ditch fight to keep up with their upwardly adjusted mortgages. Forgive me for caring more about the latter.

[JoDeeVa]

Timothy, with respect for your opinion, you seem to have biased knowledge of average Malibu residents. Although I can't speak for Ms. Perez, I can speak about my own experience and situation.
Not everyone who lives there have million-dollar homes. It's a stereotype that is grossly perpetuated by focus on those who do. I dare say most, having lived there myself..DO NOT live in million-dollar homes! NO!, we chose to live there to get out of the city, where many pay as much as the average Malibu resident who lives in rural canyons.
It's a stereotype I actually heard from firemen at the mouth of Latigo Canyon in 1982, when threatened by fire. I was a working class nurse commuting to UCLA every day, earning approximately $30,000/yr., while paying off student-loans I needed to get that nursing education/ license.

I DO care about those Americans who are in a last-ditch fight to keep up with their upwardly adjusted mortgages, but blaming/ dissing average Malibu residents with stereotyping that is intended to invoke prejudice is grossly misplaced. Isn't that blame to be placed with the Bush administration, Alan Greenspan/ Federal Reserve and unscrupulous banks and financiers who brokered those deals? I'm pretty sure you would agree, eh?
Forgive me for also caring about the average Malibu residents, who (like myself at that time) are not living in million-dollar homes! They, like me are just average Americans, who get colored by the focus on the "rich and famous" in our neck of the woods!

BTW, I decided about the time I moved to Oregon that I didn't want to participate in a private-ownership system, (similar to the philosophy of Tom Hayden's CED back in the day) where some are unable to own homes. I have paid enough in rent to buy a home by now and even though it pains me, I will continue to take that stand with hope in more "coop-erative" living in the future. Opulent luxury and even modest home ownership is wrong when some are simply locked out.

[Timothy Karr - Huffpost Blogger]

JoDeeva,

1. Median cost of a Malibu home: $1,148,105

2. Carbon Beach is one of Malibu's most exclusive residential areas, also known as 'Billionaire's Beach". It's highly likely homes there cost well above the city's average.

But that's really not the point is it? I don't mean to unfairly single out Ms. Perez, but to make a point about a bigger problem (rampant mortgage defaults) which affects many non-'billionaires'. This issue, sadly, isn't receiving wall-to-wall coverage on CNN.

[JoDeeVa]

Been there, done that a number of times, the last big one being the Dayton/Bell Fire that roared through Latigo Canyon in 1982. I stayed to fight the fire only because it moved so fast that firemen coming up my driveway, looking like the Stormtroopers from Star Wars advised me not to try and outrun the 90mph firestorm! My house was one of only a handful to survive, but my neighbors' pain was mine. In the aftermath, I wondered why I made that "hell on earth" my "slice of heaven".

Then, spring came and the canyon bloomed with flowers and plants I had never seen before. They needed the fire to open and disseminate their seeds. The beauty in the canyon as far as the eye could see reminded me why I loved living there. Metaphorically, the fire opened seeds within me that bloomed, as well. I never quite saw Latigo Canyon, Malibu, my neighbors, family or myself in the same way. My appreciation for the beauty in all did diminish a bit as time went by, but still..
..Here in Oregon, where I live now and appreciate the greenness and rain that makes it so, I miss the Californian beauty that so touched my soul, even when it sometimes took hellfires to reveal itself.

Stay safe and know that many have all of you in their thoughts. I wish you a spring filled with the same joy I felt with my "slice of heaven".

[dplaser]

Such a tragedy but how anybody can politicize this is certainly without conscience­...However­, it is bizarre that the likes of right wing Republican Glen Beck from CNN has such lack of any empathy and feeling to say that some of the people that are losing their homes probably hate America. Thus, creating in his mind sort of a Karma reaction .. payback as it were... I cant believe this man is actually get a paycheck from CNN.. What will CNN do? Nothing I am certain... This is why CNN is losing their audience and people with half a brain are getting news strictly from the Internet and other sources...

Dave
Marthas Vineyard, Mass.

[kellygrrrl]

Please contact CNN and express your disgust!
Let them know you'll be boycotting the network until they get rid of this hateful man.
Many of us in CA. are getting the word out.
here is the link
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form4b.html?80

thanks

[xenubarb]

Malibu burns every few years. Mud slides follow. People rebuild. I don't know why anyone would keep their life's work in a place like that. Might as well toss it on the front yard for passersby to walk off with.

Malibu may be heaven most of the time.
Right now, it's hell.

[Horst]

Why do people build houses in dry scrub land that burns every year?

[keemia]

I'm sorry about your experience, but when the firemen or cops stop people from going INTO the fire, you'd think people should listen to them? One of the reasons the fire department had such a hard time today was people's lack of cooperation. I'm sure the cops weren't turning people away to get to their kids...

[Misanthrope2]

There is no legal authority to order people to evacuate.

Orders to evacuate do not have the force of law.

Traffic control, sure. Just not orders to evacuate.

[kellygrrrl]

the firefighters were very clear.
If they told you to leave and you chose otherwise, they stated in no uncertain terms "You're on your own."
Calling 911, if you can get through, will do nothing. They will not be coming back for you.