Under fire threat need advice

[MzLaurie]

Hi friends
I am in Los Angeles County and it seems fires are burning all
Around me. I am not ordered to evacuate yet and hope I am in a secure area. The winds are whipping up and smoke is a big issue. I can smell the fires and the ash is already in the air. First is there any precautions I can take to assure the smoke does not harm my chameleon? His cage is inside but I know their lungs are fragile. I do have a fogger. Should I run that tonight or tomorrow? If anyone is in this area and needs someone to keep your chameleon if your evacuated please reach out to me as I can keep if you have the cage. I am Wilshire/Fairfax area.

 

[MissSkittles]

Oh no! I pray for you and all others to stay safe. I haven’t any idea how to protect against smoke other than to keep all doors and windows sealed tight. If you have an air purifier, that would help too. @Beman has dealt with the wildfire smoke before and she may have some tips.

 

[MzLaurie]

Thank you. We have many neighborhoods burning down right now. No air support cause they are grounded cause the winds. I am going to go on Reddit to see if I can help any of the evacuees with reptiles.

 

[absolutbill]

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this! I second the idea about the air purifier, and I'd use some tape to seal up the windows. If they are in their own room I'd shut the door and stuff a towel under it as well. Also, if there is an a/c or heating vent in the room I'd shut that. I really don't have a lot of advice, and no clue if those things would work, but I'm hoping for the best for you!

 

[nightanole]

Technically a misting system etc would get rid of alot of the particulates in the air. Even "fogging" would work.

 

[Beman]

When I dealt with this I kept husbandry the same misting and fogging at night with cool temps. I made sure all windows were totally closed and we put towels at the base of our front and back door. We did not run any form of air conditioning because that pulled air in from outside. We were not in an evacuation area or even near one but we were on the coast where all the smoke from the fire inland was settling.

 

[kinyonga]

My prayers are with you. Stay safe!

 

[jannb]

Praying for you and your family.

 

[GrannyK]

Praying for you all MzLaurie!

 

[Sonny13]

My thoughts are with you @MzLaurie and the rest

 

[MzLaurie]

Well friends I want to thank you all for your prayers and support. I was under evacuation threat all night from the Sunset Fire. Thankfully we had air support as the winds had eased enough to allow the planes and choppers to drop water. What a difference! Bless the LAFD for getting that fire under control so I didn’t loose everything. I wonder how the Marriot would have reacted if I waltzed in with my cat, chameleon, 87 year old mom, my 23 year old son, myself and my 70 year old neighbor who is all alone now with no transport. the circus is here! Just having that room reserved all night kept me calm and in control just knowing I had a safe place if I had to flee. Still not out of the woods and am staying vigilant. The numbers of structures lost in the many current fires is staggering. About 15,000 structures all combined and a new fire just broke out in another area. Apocalyptic! I have two air purifiers near the cage which is helping. My Cham senses the danger it’s probably the smoke and hickory wood burning smell that fills the air. But he is all right. Thank you all

 

[MissSkittles]

Thank goodness you’re safe! Thank you for letting us know.

 

[Jeevesieb]

So glad you're safe! I'm in Northern California and we have been in a similar position several times over the past few years. It's truly terrifying. Keep vigilant and your family (with tails and otherwise) are so lucky to have you.

 

[MzLaurie]

So glad you're safe! I'm in Northern California and we have been in a similar position several times over the past few years. It's truly terrifying. Keep vigilant and your family (with tails and otherwise) are so lucky to have you.

Oh yes we all have watched on horror as you all in the north have dealt with wild fires. Since I am out of evacuation danger, Hollywood hills fire is out, I called the Pasadena Shelter today and spoke with someone and offered help with taking in and fostering chameleons. Today it hit me, all the vet clinics and pet stores that burnt to the ground probably had animals in them. The two big fires people were literally running for their lives in some places. I have been so depressed all day just thinking about it.