No, it isn't a damp, foggy afternoon in sleepy little Bear Valley Springs. That haze is smoke from the Comanche fire to the west of us. This one has razed 15,000 acres already and, at 2:30 PM, it was 30% contained. We thought it had been wrapped up last night, but no such luck. By 10 PM last night, there were 50 fires burning in Kern County. Today, several are 80% contained, some 30%, and many we can't find figures on. The wind in our vally is still ESE, blowing against the fire. But, a few miles the other side of the ridge, the wind comes from the west. Tonight the wind here is supposed to switch around and come from the west. There wasn't much rain in our immediate area last night unfortunately, but the forecast offers hope once again: 30% chance of showers, tonight.
We are on Bear Valley Road and this afternoon I have watched bulldozers being hauled in, and fire engines rolling out with sirens blasting. Still, because I am not your intrepid reporter from channel whatever, I took this from the shelter on the safe side of my bathroom window. I am already breathing my allotment of smoke. You deserve a better photo since I chatter on about this, but chalk it up to lazy reporting. Hey, I am still worth every penny of my salary.
The Husband has sprinklers soaking the west side of the house. He is taking another load of lumber scraps to the dump. Is his work more than likely unnecessary? Yes. But, he takes this fire business seriously. (Not that I don't.) Not long after we met, many years ago, he faced a fire in Malibu Canyon fighting to save a house he had in the non-chic part of Malibu. More recently, he returned to help a friend and trailered horses out of that canyon during yet another fire—one that roared right down to the Pacific Coast Highway. He stood, on the beach, with horse owners trying to soothe their nervous and exhausted animals, while the flames danced just across 5 lanes of asphalt. He is not a man to take this lightly.
We hope our listeners will tune in the next few days for the latest on cute dogs and photos of flowers. Fashion stories and fishing news may be delayed, but we are looking forward to a moratorium on drama. Maybe a feature on square dancing, or a documentary on the latest Zumba workout videos. Sorry. No film at eleven.
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While I was proofing this, it began to rain. It is the most beautiful rain I have ever seen. If I could be tap dancing, I would out be there dancing and singing in that rain. The sun is still shining, so it will be a brief shower, but this stuff is wet! Wahoo!
Rain, no matter how much is still a good thing. Please keep updating us!!
ReplyDeleteSteve - It was brief, but certainly brought sighs of relief and hope. Thank you for your welcome words of experience.
ReplyDeleteDear God, please send Anita all the rain she wants. Thanks. -p
ReplyDeletePaul - I can only say Amen and thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping Paul has a lot more influence with the Almighty than I do but just the same I'll echo his prayer. And normally I love photos taken on hazy or foggy days, but not like this. Stay well.
ReplyDeleteKen - Well it appears that prayers are being answered. It didn't come in the form of rain, after all; but, I am guessing that Paul B. agrees: Why quibble over details? The wind is, so far, our friend and even our sister community, where evacuation orders had been given, got good news. The authorities lifted those orders today. We have firefighters here from all over California and they done a magnificent job.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and the good wishes. We are breathing more freely, but not dropping our guard.
Glad to here that things are working in your favor at the moment and I hope they continue to do so. There's little as unpredictable as nature and fire and you are wise to keep your guard up.
ReplyDeleteRain! Rain! Rain! May you be blessed with long, hearty, soaking rains, Anita! And, though I've never experienced, The Husband is certainly very wise to take every precaution.
ReplyDeleteEarl - At least we could know we did our best. Now that the firefighters have won, we can relax. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeletePaul - We didn't get our rain, but we were saved by favorable winds and hundreds of hard working firefighters. Gratitude seems almost too small a word. Thank you for the comment.
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