Terrifying Mountain Fire West of Palm Springs

For the last three days, an amazing and terrifying mountain fire west of Palm Springs has been raging. As of this a.m., nearly 20,000 acres and several homes are destroyed, and the fire is only 15% contained. The sky over Palm Springs is overcast with smoke and ash/soot. Most residents (including me) are staying indoors to avoid breathing the ash.

The fire appears to be getting worse; now it's reported that Idyllwild is under mandatory evacuation. We're also getting more smoke and ash as the fire creeps closer to Palm Springs.

Palm Springs sits at the base of the mountain, which is the second highest peak in Southern California. The area burning is a vast and beautiful national park, with over fifty miles of hiking trails. My home is in no danger, but my husband and I often hiking those trails, and the thought of losing that has me completely disheartened.

If anyone out there is particularly good at rain dancing, please send your mojo our way.