Here is the current perimeter of the Valley Fire, according to the USGS’ GEOMAC viewer:
As you see, no places are identified there. One in particular, however, is of extremely special interest to me: Harbin Hot Springs. That’s where I met my wife and made more friends than I can count. It is, or was, one of the most lovely places on Earth, inhabited and lovingly maintained by wonderful people.
I just matched up a section of the map above with Google Maps’ Earth view, and see that Harbin and its neighborhood are in the perimeter:
After seeing this picture here, which looks northwest from downtown Middletown…
… I suspected the worse.
And now comes news that Harbin is “pretty much destroyed.” Damn.
Other places in the perimeter — or so it appears to me (please don’t take this as gospel):
- Outer edges of Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake communities
- Parts of Whispering Pines, Cobb, Holbergs and Glenbrook
- Areas adjacent to McCreary Lake and Detert Reservoir
Watch here for official information about the fire.
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