Jackson native among evacuees

Erica Haff lived for less than a month in her Spring Valley, Calif., apartment before leaving it Tuesday. The former Jackson resident was among those evacuated in response to advancing wildfires in Southern California.

Spring Valley is fewer than 12 miles east of San Diego.

Haff's mother, Leisa Floyd of Jackson, said she's been keeping in touch with daily phone calls. Haff is eight months pregnant with her first child. Her husband, Jake Haff, who is also a Jackson native, deployed last week for a two-week training at sea with his Navy unit. He was just one of many on his ship sent back to help families with the evacuation process.

Floyd said her daughter gathered up important documents, a laptop computer and the bag she recently packed for the impending delivery.

"We were hoping to fly her back home," Floyd said, but Haff cannot fly this late into her pregnancy. "She just had a baby shower three weeks ago. I know you shouldn't worry about stuff like that, but ... they're just starting out."

The Haffs are staying at a friend's house, Floyd said.

"Last I heard, the fire had gotten within five to seven miles of their home."

-- Peg McNichol