Monday, October 13, 2008 started like any other beautiful, but windswept day in Porter Ranch until a downed power line near Limekiln Canyon, north of Sesnon, set the mountain ablaze. Residents learned for the first time that their mountain was called Oat Mountain. In spite of high winds most thought that it would be a while before the fire reached them.

However, Porter Ranch Estates resident Suzanne Dersahakian didn't hesitate when she saw a group of fire trucks barreling up Tampa from her house overlooking Limekiln Canyon after 10am. She leapt in her car to be among the first to retrieve her children from Castlebay Lane Elementary. Other moms quickly converged on the campus and got a quick education in what that "Reunion Gate" is for as they began to check large quantities of children out from school during an emergency. One panicked parent parked her car blocking the parking lot exit.

By the time Risa Jackson came from work to collect her children, it was increasingly difficult to maneuver through road closures to get to the school. By 1pm, the smoke was thick, directly over the school and surrounding community, raining down ash. Panicked residents began to pack up with a greater sense of urgency. Homeowners were watering lawns and gardens, asking themselves the proverbial question posed by The Clash, "Should I stay or should I go? If I go there will be trouble, And if I stay it will be double. So come on and let me know..."

About 2pm Police let neighbors know loud and clear. They began ordering evacuation of the neighborhood and the school evacuated remaining students around to Canoga Park High School.

One couple who evacuated from their house near Tampa and Wilbur stopped along the golf course further down Wilbur. They took stock of their situation in a sort of tailgate party, having remembered to bring the pizza fresh from the oven. They commented that they forgot the wine. Smoke rose off the mountain heading slightly to the west of where they were perched in their truck. Just south of them the LAPD had blocked access north at the Wilbur / Rinaldi intersection and appeared to be preparing for their next steps.

Shepherd of the Hills Church quickly swung into action mobilizing hundreds of volunteers and partnering with the Red Cross to provide services. Members of the PRNC set up cots and contributed to the food donations. One board member signed in as an evacuee. The PRNC sent out communications about available evacuee services.

More than 900 people had dinner Monday night at Shepherd and took stock of their situation while the fire bore down on the Renaissance community and raced down the many canyons of Porter Ranch: Aliso, Limekiln, Moonshine, Brown's.

Fire crews stayed vigilant for several days to keep an eye on hot spots. They commented that the good brush clearance and many defensible zones helped immensely in this blaze. Still, some weren't so lucky and will be reconsidering their landscaping choices.



Fire Crew from Incline Village, Lake Tahoe puts out a hot spot.

More than 1,400 firefighters came from across the state and the community is more than thankful.

The Sesnon fire rampaged through 14,000 acres, 15 homes and 47 outbuildings and damaging six others. By the end of the week the skies were clear, but the smoke smell hung thick in the air causing respiratory problems as residents unpacked their things, cleared the ash from the front door and tried to get back to normal.