Earlier this week, color spotter Ruby Jay sent in a color report with photos she had taken in Southern California on Jan. 4, 2025. That was before the winds kicked up on Jan. 7.
Ruby has consistently reported from Pacific Palisades this season, so CFC reached out to make sure she was doing ok in the heart of the horrific fire raging there.
Ruby and her husband were safely evacuated on Tuesday and Ruby was able to share the following on Thursday:
“My husband and I were able to finally evacuate safely on Tuesday late afternoon after the firefighters cleared out the abandoned cars with the bulldozers.
A police car guided us out. Coming down the hill, with the fire and heavy smoke on both sides and the sky getting darker and darker by the second, it was like braving through inferno. I don’t remember how long it took for us to reach safety but it seemed like eternity.
Attached is a photo taken through my window at 11:17 AM on 1/7. The fire and smoke came from where the fire first started up the hill, looming right in front of my eyes. The innocent beautiful sycamore tree stood there next to its twin. (Compare and Contrast) The fall color was so beautiful it broke my heart.
I sent you 3 photos of the fall color in Torrance that I took on 1/4. I took pictures at the same location this morning again. The colors are totally different now. Nature also shows its feelings, I guess. Is it sad too?”
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by the catastrophic fires in Southern California. Just like our fall color, we will shine vibrantly once again.
