The sight strikes fear in the heart. While this fire is far enough from us to eliminate any need for panicked packing, it is a grim reminder that fire season is upon us. The rains last winter and spring produced a bumper crop of underbrush and there is ample fodder to turn one of these blazes into an inferno that could quickly consume thousands of acres. We are grateful for some routes that serve as emergency exits out of the valley, but pray we never have to try one—especially while hauling a horse trailer. There are a number of planes in the air working on this, in addition to the manpower on the ground. We remain, as they say, "cautiously optimistic".
As a forester, I spent a good deal of my summers involved with forest fires, don't miss them one bit. I'll keep a good thought for you guys.
ReplyDeleteWow, it is a scary sight and I can't imagine having to flee leaving a home to an approaching wildfire. My prayers are no one will have to experience that this season...especially in your valley.
ReplyDeleteThe photo (which is beautiful, I might add) tells a powerful story of potential devastation. This is a phenomena that almost never occurs in this part of the country so we have little experience with it. I wish we could send you some of the heavy rain that is predicted here tonight. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI have not had much experience with fire until the night before last. A small electrical fire in the kitchen. It spreads so quickly! It was under control in 15 minutes. It put this post more in perspective than if I'd seen it the week before.
ReplyDeleteAnita your photographs are beautiful, like paintings and so is your writing. I really enjoyed my time reading your posts.
Hope you are better soon and all the best for your husbands surgery.
It's amazing to me how this seems to happen every year. I wonder what are the causes? Carelessness? Lightning?
ReplyDeleteWell, I most certainly hope that you don't have to evacuate and that they get the fire doused before it even gets remotely close to you!
Well, for what it's worth, here's hoping it doesn't come to an emergency exit. Good luck over there...
ReplyDeleteSteve - Obvously, you know exactly what our local firefighters are enduring. What a tough job. Thanks for thinking of us. It looks pretty good this morning.
ReplyDeleteThat sight instills instant fear in me. We don't have near the problem with wildfires here that you do because of our constant rain and snow, but it can and has happened. We are surrounded by forest and bogs which can carry underground fires many miles from the source and burn unnoticed for months. And fire is just my biggest fear period.
ReplyDeleteSo I'll just keep hoping those plumes of smoke stay a good distance from you and become nothing more than a unique photo opportunity.
Earl - We don't have any friends who lost their homes, but having the fire this close certainly brings home the reality. Prayers are always welcome.
ReplyDeleteKen - While that first fire is well contained and burning only brush now, we could use some rain to tamp down the two new ones we have going around here today. So far, we have been only safe spectators and hope to maintain that status.
ReplyDeleteUjwala - Thank you for dropping by and for your comment. It is interesting how an experience such as yours can vividly illustrate a threat. I have never experienced a fire close up and hope I would be as clear thinking as you apparently were. Thank good ness you were spared harm in the mishap.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comments on my photographs. It pleases me to know I have touched you with my work. and, thank you for the wishes of good health. We are well. My husband's recovery is moving along according to schedule.
Paul - I hope my update satisfied some of your curiousity. We do have perhaps more than our share of loons out here, but it is not all about people trying to incinerate the state. I appreciate all the good thoughts for our safety.
ReplyDeletePJ - There certainly is a lot of luck involved and after all these years of living in southern California, we haven't been wiped out. So far, so good. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRoberta - Living in a forest area means you know how fast these things can move. It truly is terrifying. I had no idea about the danger of the bogs. I am glad to know the information, but how frightening. Thank you for holding good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteTo those who mentioned the photograph - I surprised myself when I reached for the camera. I don't have the instincts of a reporter and, under stress, usually think of the camera after it is much too late. I am pleased to know that the photo is effective in setting the scene. Thank you for mentioning it.
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