Rancho Palos Verdes Fire Brings Out the Best in All of Us

The recent Rancho Palos Verdes fire that burned over 200 acres in the Portuguese Bend area, although a near tragedy, demonstrated many examples of the wonderful spirit of community that exists on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

1) San Pedro horse trainer Callie Bell hitched up her trailer and loaded many horses in the Portuguese Bend area to move them to a safe haven. Fifteen horses stayed overnight in the stalls at Ernie Howlett, where workers were busy Friday morning setting up for the upcoming Portuguese Bend Horse Show.

2) The Terranea Resort provided shelter for over a dozen families at no cost

3) Many local Palos Verdes Peninsula residents provided over night acommodations for their friends affected by the mandantory evacuation orders.

4) Los Angeles County fire Capt. Mike Brown credited residents for helping prevent injuries and keeping property losses to a minimum.”Citizens in the area are extremely prepared and very cooperative,” he said. “They assisted in the evacuation orders. It made things very easy.”

5) I heard several of the news reporters comment on the wonderful sense of community that they felt in covering the fires.

I am proud of the way my friends and neighbors handled this emergency.