In a note sent out today to the band's mailing list, the members of Fono report that they have lost their entire studio and all of their newly recorded material for their next planned release, to the fires raging through the San Diego area. The band writes:

Some of you may have seen the fires that have swept through southern California and San Diego on the news. During those fires our studio was burned to the ground. We visited the studio yesterday after fires subsided in that area and we have lost everything, the whole studio was ash. We have lost all our band equipment, all our recording equipment and most unfortunately all the masters for the new Fono record. We are all devastated, but glad that our families and friends are all safe and well. In light of this we will be disappearing for a while to regroup.

On a more personal note, CMCentral's own opinion columnist and "Ask CMCentral" answer guy, Michael Janke, also resides in the San Diego area and is currently being affected by the fires. At last account, he was reporting dangerous smoke levels in the air and ash falling from the sky. Please keep him, Fono, and everyone involved in this terrible tragedy in your prayers.