check out this thread from the wrc.com forums. One of the co-organizers posts and says that Palmdale/Lancaster is safe (at the moment).
http://origin.wrc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7952
I really hope everyone is alright. I know lots of people (I went to school in Santa Barbara) that are either in danger, or their immediate family have homes that are in danger. At the very least, the whole of southern california is coverd in ash due to wind. One good friend of mine, has already had to abandon his apartment in San Diego.