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Friday, January 20, 2012

The fire danger has passed....

Hello my friends!  We had a scary wild fire in our area and it was heading our way.  The 80mph winds made it out of control.  At this time they have counted 26 houses burned.  Yesterday I voluntarily packed up my bunny, and put all six birdies in one small cage, and took them and some important personal items to our old little house that is empty and for sale, since it is farther away from the danger.

My girlfriend lives in the area where it started and several homes in her neighborhood were lost.  I talked to her on her cell phone because she had no power.  She was covered with soot from using the garden hose on hot spots in her yard, but otherwise she was safe.

The barn where we both board our horses was upwind from the fire, so we were relieved about that.

My husband and I then packed more bags and just watched TV to see how it was going.  We could see fire on the ridges from our house - a big orange glow outline.  We went to bed and did not sleep well.  The smoke gave me a headache.  No one came to order evacuation.

This morning it was 50% contained, and the wind was quiet, so I went back to pick up the pets and unpack everything.  I am still worried about another friend who lives in one of the neighborhoods that was evacuated.  My heart goes out to those that suffered loss, and my thanks and appreciation for the firemen, policemen and first responders who worked so hard all day and all night.

Whew!

9 comments:

Ida M. Glazier said...

Geeze Carolyn. we were just glued to the TV!!! I am so glad your new home was missed, but wow--all the homes that were lost. What a mess---and tonight, snow to the valley floor. Good Greif. I am sure all the hills that burned were so full of grasses and fuels from our great winter and spring last year! Really glad to see your are OK - - -

Anonymous said...

Whew is right! So glad you are safe and sending all good thoughts for your friends and those who have lost.
Stay inspired!

☆sapphire said...

I was relieved to hear that you are all right. I hope the wild fire won't destroy your and your friends' areas anymore! Take care!

Euphoria said...

I'm glad everything is ok. Where I come from (San Martín de los Andes / Bariloche, Patagonia) fires are always a threat, specially in summer.

Carolyn Jean Thompson said...

Thanks everyone for the care and concern. Kira, it is the very strange weather patterns that caused the dry winter and high winds here. But last night, we were blessed with the long awaited rains and snows. It is still snowing today.

We found out what caused the fire. An elderly man in my friend's neighborhood took out ashes from his fireplace and dumped them on the ground in the open spaces. (In 80mph wind gusts!) The man turned himself in and is very remorseful. The latest count is about 28 homes lost.

ti-igra said...

Oh my god, Carolyn! I just have read your news!!!!! :'-(
It is terrible! But I am very-very happy that you saved from danger! That all right with your family! Please, tell for us news about situation, about your friends, I hope all is better now!

BIG HUG for you! Wish all stars come to you for save your lives! I am with YOU!

Carolyn Jean Thompson said...

Hi ti-igra, things are better now. We had a lot of rain and snow the next night. Before the snow, the fire was 60% contained, so the rain and snow put it all out. I found out all my friends' homes were saved. Today I drove to the barn because the road was finally open, and heard stories first hand from the people who live in the area. The final count is 29 houses lost, and one 93-year-old woman died. It was hard driving by all those burnt-out ranches and trees and willows, knowing some animals were turned loose to fend for themselves. Many horses and livestock were transported to the fairgrounds and are waiting for people to claim them.

ti-igra said...

Hi, Carolyn! I am so happy that your friends out of dangerous too! And that your houses has been saved!!! And I hope that the rain and snow will wash ash from the ground, willows and roofs! And you will forget this terrible accident!

I saw in YouTube fire and smoke. I cannot even imagine how people have been frightened...

BIG Hugs for you, Carolyn! Take care!!!

Sharon said...

I think this fire unlike the earlier one touches everyone, since we have to drive that corridor to go north or south. It was a small mistake and a huge bitter pill to swallow, compounded by the dry dry winter.