Small pleasures in Carlsbad: orange juice

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At 10 a.m., fire refugees from as far away as Lake Arrowhead and as close as La Costa had filled up a gymnasium at Carlsbad High, about 10 miles from the nearest blaze.

Sleeping bags, air mattresses, cots and pet carriers were spread all over the hardwood, and a long table packed with doughnuts, bagels, cookies and juices was jammed against the bleachers.

The newest arrivals were the Zehners from Solana Beach, evacuated from their house west of Interstate 5 and a mile from the beach at 7:30 a.m.

“I think they’re being conservative,” Ken Zehner said. “They feel like they can do a better job with people out of there. And I guess there’s a certain logic to that.”

Ken lives in a six-bedroom house with his wife, daughter, two grandchildren and two dogs. Zehner is confident his house will be standing when he returns home.

“I can’t imagine the fire department not being able to stop the fire from crossing Interstate 5,” he said.

So far, Zehner likes the accommodations.

“Boy, that orange juice hits the spot,” he said. “Outstanding.”

At 10:15 a.m., Rachel Bender of Poway learned that her house was still standing. But she refrained from celebrating.

“It’s a relief, but there’s not much joy in it,” she said. “My parents have lost their home in Rancho Bernardo, and I’m sure a lot of other people around me are hurting too.”

At 10:30 a.m., Carlsbad school officials announced that the second gym will be a “quiet, pet-free zone.”

“We learned a few things from last night,” said Al Cabacungan, who is organizing the volunteer effort. “The noise of the pets kept people awake.”

-- Dave McKibben