Harang's home not damaged by wildfires

[AmarilloRed]

Harang update

Rob Butcher has gotten in touch with Aaron Harang, who lives in the San Diego area. Harang, his wife and baby are fine, but have moved to a hotel just to be sure. There are fires around his house, but it is safe for now.

UPDATE: Just talked to Aaron. He said he and his family are back at their home. The fires were as close as 10 miles away, when they left, but then they moved closer to where they'd gone up north. More than anything, he said, wasn't the threat of fire, but the air quality. He said when they returned home, you could see some cars covered in ash. As they drove they would drive on I-5 right next to the water and couldn't see the ocean, while the National Guard was driving down to go help out the people of San Diego.

He also said the response around town has been really uplifting, with people helping each other and all the people at Qualcom Stadium.

The Harangs are back at home and after a few restless days, feel better and the air is improving.

Aaron said he's talked to Mike Gosling too, because Mike also lives in Southern California and Mike is doing OK as well.

Aaron said to say thanks to all those who have asked about him and his family.

posted by ctrosecrans at 1:42 PM

I am glad everything turned out well for the Harangs.

[Reverend Doo-Rag]

That darn global warming.....

[AmarilloRed]

Notes: Harang safe in San Diego
Reds righty ace not threatened by raging California wildfires
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com



CINCINNATI -- Reds starting pitcher and San Diego resident Aaron Harang knows that he and his family are lucky. They are safe and their home is still intact.

Fueled in part by Santa Ana winds, Southern California wildfires this week burned nearly 2,000 homes in San Diego County and caused about one million residents to evacuate. Harang, wife Jennifer and their 1-year-old daughter, Addison, evacuated voluntarily and spent a few nights in a hotel south of Irvine, Calif.

"On Monday, we stayed up all night watching flames on a hill not far from us," Harang. "You didn't know what the winds were going to do. [The fires] were about 10 miles from us. The air quality was so bad and with the baby, we didn't want her breathing it. So we took off. It was crazy."

Harang described San Diego as a "war zone" when he drove up the Pacific coast on Interstate 5 North.

"The National Guard humvees were flying down I-5 South," he said. "We couldn't even see the ocean, which was less than a mile away, because of the smoke. It seemed as if San Diego was completely burning down."

Four years ago when wildfires also plagued the region, Harang said flames were within one mile of his home but approached no closer.

Everyone in Harang's extended family reported they were OK this time around. The Reds right-hander lives 20 minutes south of Poway, which some of the worst fires occurred. Harang said fellow Reds pitcher Mike Gosling, a resident of nearby Encinitas, text messaged that he was fine, too.

As relief efforts ramp up, Harang would like to get involved. He said his next-door neighbor attempted to volunteer at Qualcomm Stadium, which served as a shelter and disaster assistance station, but was turned away because enough help was on hand.

"We were trying to figure something out," Harang said. "I'm going to talk with some of the other guys around and try to put something together for the victims."