RAMONA, CA (BRAIN)–Fighting their way through ashy, smoky winds, Ellsworth Handcrafted Bikes' employees were stuck in gridlock traffic yesterday as they tried to flee a rapidly advancing wildfire on their Ramona administrative headquarters.
Luckily, because of the structure's environmental construction of concrete and metal, geothermically heated, and solar-powered, even if fire takes over the facility Ellsworth would probably sustain minimal damage.
"Luckily, our operations are fully intact as we have email functioning wonderfully, and our main fabrication facility is in Vancouver, Washington." said Tony Ellsworth, owner of the company. "All orders are still going out on time, and all questions can simply be emailed to us directly from the website at www.ellsworthbikes.com and www.ellsworthride.com."
Ellsworth went on to say he is very thankful for the changes he's made in the company's operations over the past year. "Our bikes and orders are fulfilled both in Ramona and in Vancouver and that's so helpful in times like these. We've set up a temporary administrative office center in Oceanside so all questions on technical needs and warranties, can all be handled via email as we wait out this fire. Unfortunately the phone system is down while Mother Nature takes her course."
Ramona's Main Street and all of its side streets were filled with cars, trucks and horse trailers after officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for Ramona and nearby San Diego Country Estates as the fast-moving flames of the Witch fire headed toward the area of more than 36,000 people.
Coincidentally, and because of the growth of Ellsworth Handcrafted Bikes over the past several years, a new company administrative and fabrication facility is already being planned in Battle Ground, Washington. "We may have the concern of a volcano erupting every couple of hundred years, but the location is pristine, green, and perfect for the Ellsworth environment, now so more than ever," he said.
