Evacuating quickly, with help from a crystal rosary

On Castle Rock Road in Diamond Bar, with orange flames flaring on the ridgetop above, Sandra Gastinell, 34, and her family packed up two black Toyota trucks, preparing to flee the encroaching fire. Sandra's 5-year-old daughter, Valeria, had been crying on and off all morning after hearing the family had to leave their two-story blond-colored home.

When she first heard the news, she ran and grabbed her crystal rosary and placed it around her neck. "She panicked when we told her we had to leave," Sandra said. "It's going to protect you," she soothed the child, bouncing her other daughter, Guiliani, who sucked noisily on a bottle of milk, in her arms.

Valeria packed her belongings in a pink suitcase sporting an image of Strawberry Shortcake and the words "It's all good," and the family placed it in the bed of their Toyota Tundra truck, where father Steve Gastinell was packing photo albums, clothes, snacks and juice boxes for the trip to his father's house in Downey.

Sandra said they hoped a creek behind them would protect their house, "but it's getting so close to the brush it was kind of scary. We're taking just what's absolutely necessary."

Also with the family was Sandra's father, Armando Yanes, 64, who is hard of hearing and speaks no English. They had picked him up the night before but had been unable to take him home to La Habra because of the fires. They were on the 5 Freeway for hours trying to get home themselves.

"He's more nervous" because the language and hearing issues make it harder for him to follow what's going on, she said.

--Gale Holland

Comments

[Dr. K.]

My heart and emotional support goes out to those in Diamond Bar. I had to evacuate five years ago when the hills above Rancho got fire. It is both scary and a relief to know that the most important things in life are life itself. This is a time to pull together and reach out to offer each other support. I work at Evergreen Elem as the school psychologist. If I can help provide emotional support please feel free to email me and I will do all that I can to help during this stressful time. Thank God you are safe and alive. There are many many people who want to help you and care, please consider me one of them.

[Judie]

I grew up on Castle Rock Road in Diamond Bar. My sister lives int he house with her husband and children. I just spoke to her and at this time they have not been asked to evac. They are prepared and have been since this morning. I remember when I was about 10 a similar situation happening. We got very lucky. I ugre everyone in the area to be ready. Pack up and be prepared.