Metropolitan San Diego includes Encinitas in the north coastal area, and Escondido in the north inland area:
The title of this page comes from the fact that
metropolitan Los Angeles is often referred to as
"The Southland", and I am writing this Web page from
that southernmost part of California which is actually
south of metropolitan L.A. This is a region known for
its navy and marine bases, retired celebrities and
millionaires, warm and dry weather, and not too long ago,
for its terrible wildfires.
The fires which began in October of 2003
did most of
their damage in the first week, but continued
to burn
throughout most of November. They were not fully
extinguished until about a month after they started.
During that first week, ash and smoke filled the skies
throughout a huge area, which included most of the western
half of San Diego County. Most San Diego-area businesses
were closed on Monday, but opened the rest of the week.
One day in the middle of the week, the sky was fairly clear
in the morning and at Noon, but by mid-afternoon had become
so dark that it was just like nighttime. Some businesses
offered their employees the option of going home early that
day. After that week, westerly winds blew the flames back
east, away from the city and into the hills.
Even after they were gone (or all but gone) the flames
continued to have their effect on the air. One day in late
November, just before Thanksgiving, strong winds whipped
up the debris so much that the city skies again filled
with ash. Although the sun could still be seen, visibility
was affected, and the air quality was so poor that it was even
worse than the air in L.A. during a high smog alert. In late
December, just before Christmas, there was one more day
like that, with the air quality even slightly worse than it
had been on that Thanksgiving-week day.
Metropolitan San Diego includes Encinitas
in the north coastal area, and Escondido
in the north inland area:
