valley smoke
We’ve got the windows closed, and we’re filtering the air inside the house. We’ve been talking about what we’ll take if we have to start loading the trailer: dogs & dog houses, important papers, computers, a few pieces of furniture, clothes and kitchen stuff. The kids want to know where we’d go. We don’t know; we’ll figure that out when the time comes.
I took the photo this morning, looking out toward the creek valley. It’s real quiet; there’s not much going on except for the firefighters’ pickup trucks running up and down the main road.
Teachers report back to work on Monday.
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I read in the ‘Vegas paper this morning that some NV firefighters are headed up to assist in the battle(s). Nice to know that some former physical neighbors are helping out the ‘net neighbors.
Hope, prayers, and wishes for the best, Doug. Take good care.
Thanks for the kind words and wishes, Amerloc. From what we hear on the news, the outside help will soon be needed down south, where it’s coming from. The fire season here is running longer than normal, since we usually get a heavy dose of rain in August, so we’re grateful for any help we can get now. It’s good to see those yellow BLM trucks out there on the road.
Glad to hear you have help, a plan, and everyone should be safe.
I don’t think we’re in any personal danger – except from breathing all this nasty air.
Good thoughts to you, your family and your neighbors Doug- My son drives out of there at the end of the month on his way to UAS. He says the smell/smoke has been awful.
Thanks, Michaele. The smoke comes and goes – it’s like standing next to a campfire, full time. I think we might almost be getting used to it, but planning for an evacuation is a big distraction for the start of the school year.
I hope (pray) things are better by now.
I cannot imagine starting school under those conditions.
Well I was gone a few days missing this awful news. I hope you are all fine. I’ve evacuated twice with fire less than two miles away and, of course, when we went to work in Warner Springs up in San Diego Mtns. saw fires twice coming in there that were awfully close to the school and a big part of my “welcome” to a new job temping. The kids came to school just out of fires that in some cases took their homes, or property and they were very raw, very out and emotional. This school provided teachers with some training going in that year,good stuff, but it was a rather interesting experience I’ve intended to write. The children were activated and the adults more so. Some adults finding a very good place inside themselves, others absolutely frightened, unnerved, selfish, mean, nutty. It took me awhile to take that all in, not react against it or to worsen it, and to fully see it in the context of this massive firestorm they were experiencing. Well I was too actually. Those already angry and difficult were just more so and that surprised me. So I started that year with about 30 kids ranging 3rd grade to 7th and mostly 5th…looking back I wish right away I’d just understood the fear better.Talked it directly. And allowed them to talk to what was going on at home, cause getting school supplies, new duds, the things we ritualize just about going to school, well, that wasn’t working and they were feeling odd, fearful, not ready to leave homes yet as I suspect you might encounter. All those kids were rural, raised animals, had their “other lives.” So they had concerns about all of that- at time very primitive feelings they weren’t articulate about or fully “aware” of as being in play. One boy, Adam, who lived without water (they carried it and stored it), he lived on the reservation and I didn’t learn about the water for awhile. All he wanted to do was be at the sink, in the water. He was traumatized by those fires, his life was already fallin..and I started the year on my “say in your seat ” thing. Eventually I got over that entirely.Stay out of your seat would be a much better position. Those kids needed to be able to be up. Adam needed to feel water.
You learn a lot teaching.
I suspect you’ll be adding to the repertoire.
I hope you are all ok Doug. It takes awhile to even get over breathing that amount of smoke.
Good story, Sarah. I can relate.
Lots going on this week, here. I’ll write an update on this situation real soon. We’re doing OK; it looks like the weather is going to cooperate this time.
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