Northern California,Oregon, and Washington fires

8 years ago

Do any of you live near those fires? The new report last night looked bad. I wondered how many of you may have already left your homes, or are preparing to do so.

The new report showed the snow caps, and indicated that the drought we continue. I believe they said it was the worst drought in 500 years.

Good luck to you who are involved. It looks like Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. I wish you the best, and hope that they get the fires under control quickly.

Sammy

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Comments (7)

ozmelodye
8 years ago
We have seen the dreadful fires on the news here in Australia. Our thoughts and prayers are are with all those affected.
jacqueline9CA
8 years ago
I live about 60 miles south of the latest huge "Valley" fire. It is not affecting us (and the winds are blowing it in the opposite direction), but of course it is all over the news. The astounding thing to me is that this is the FOURTH huge fire in that same area (same county) this summer! The other astounding thing, of course, is the speed of how fast they move - it said on the news last night that the Valley fire burned 40,000 acres in the first 12 hours! Sounds like a Sci Fi horror movie. It burned up 2 small towns in the first 2 days.

The firefighters were not even able to fight the fire the first day or so, because they were spending all of their time (as were the local police, and the CA Highway Patrol, and the Sheriffs) forcing people to evacuate who had ignored the evacuation orders. They are not amused, to put it mildly. They said that they were literally getting people out of their homes just as the fire line was approaching them. At least around here, the authorities are very reluctant to issue actual evacuation "orders" (as opposed to recommendations), so when they do, folks should pay more attention! The human capacity for denial is amazing. Anyway, the result was only one dead, but complete destruction of almost 600 homes, as of course they were focusing on saving lives before property.

The weather has changed - it was over 100 degrees F, and below 10% humidity when the Valley fire raged the first 2 days. Now here, and also there, it is about 55 degrees F, and the humidity is in the high 80%, and it is drizzling. This has made it possible for them to get the fire 10% contained so far.

The governor has called out the state National Guard to help, and we even have a firefighter unit which came here from Australia (I think because we both are subject to horrid fires, and the fire seasons are opposite, and both have lots of experienced firefighters, Calif and Australia have sent people to help each other in fire emergencies before).

Jackie
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bethnorcal9
8 years ago
Thankfully the big fires are not real close to us. My son's fiancee's mom used to live over in Clear Lake where many homes have been lost. Thank goodness she's back here now. Our sky has been very dusky for over a week, and the smoke began to trickle in the last couple of days. We got a tiny bit of rain yesterday, but it was just a sprinkling. Not enough to douse the fires, unfortunately. It's very scary tho. We had the big fire here in 2008 and over 100 homes were lost. We were on the verge of being evacuated, but then they got it under control. We've had several small spot fires around us in the last month, but our guys get them out ASAP! Hopefully CA will get some more rain soon and get them all out!
rosecanadian
8 years ago
My goodness. Isn't it just terrible. I can't imagine starting all over again with nothing.

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Patty W. zone 5a Illinois
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Earlier this year a team of experts also came from Australia to lend their wisdom to the fire fighting efforts. My heart goes out to any one affected by the drought and fires. Also to the wildlife so tragically affected.
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
8 years ago
I just started a thread in the Kitchen Table Forum about why those people need our help. They have lost EVERYTHING! Some have lost their schools and their jobs. Fire is unpredictable and the drought has made it worse.

Please clean out your closets and donate what you can. Imagine life without anything but the clothes you have on your back.
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8 years ago
I posted a picture over on the antique rose forum of what it looked like on Thursday last week. I don't live close to the fires (maybe about 30 miles away) but the wind shifted and we were getting all of the ash and very bad air. Lots of warnings to stay indoors as the air was hazardous. If you had to go outdoors they encouraged you to wear a surgical mask. It was awful. The soot and smoke was from a fire that had consumed over 200 square miles and was only (at the time) less than 30% contained. Firefighters are exhausted. It has been relentless. My roses have been covered in soot and ash. It has been over 105 degrees for a week prior to this one. It has been a long, hot and smokey summer.

The weather finally turned on Monday and we got unexpected drizzle off and on during the day. It was WONDERFUL! Here is a picture from last week. It is about 8:30 in the morning. Picture was taken outside of where I work with my cell phone looking at the sun.

Northern California,Oregon, and Washington fires

Comments (7)

ozmelodye

jacqueline9CA

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