It feels like our world is burning up. There are some terrible fires going on in California, and one of them is right near where I live. We have been under "advisory evacuation" notice for a few days, and actually have our suitcases packed with valuables, medications and important papers should we need to leave on a moment's notice. I have a plan to wrap some of our art work in quilts and save both in one fell swoop. We know lots of people who have been manditorily evacuated from their homes, and in fact, we are putting up a family who has been displaced and believes they may have lost their home in the blaze. Most everyone is trying to help others who have been touched by this fire.
The photo above is not one I took, but was on Facebook, taken by a person who lives in the area and posted by Jill DeMasters.
This photo was taken by a remarkable local photographer, John Slot. Firefighters are coming into our town from all over the state and even from nearby states. One just wants to cheer when you see these long caravans of firefighters coming to our aid. I tell you, it gave me a lump in my throat to see tired, dirty firefighters at my grocery store stocking up on water and food. The gratitude we feel towards them for risking their own safety to protect our property and lives cannot adequately be expressed in words.
The devastation is incredible. At this writing 85 homes and 51 outbuildings (that is barns, stables, tasting rooms, businesses etc) have been burned up. The damage assessment folks are not able to get right into the affected areas to do an accurate count because the fire is still going on. The totals of homes and buildings lost will be much higher. Hundreds of people have no idea if their homes have been lost or not. We do know a grower who lost his entire vineyard. Harvest is effectively over for grapes in our area. The grapes still left on the vines waiting to be picked will be spoiled from the smoke.
The following photos I did take from my front porch when the fire first began:
The sky on Thursday evening.
Smoke in the sky on Friday morning.
Sun in the sky on Friday afternoon.
You can imagine the quality of the air is simply terrible. The smoke is so thick it is like dense fog. You can't be outside for very long without coughing. I can't imagine what it is like for the firemen. There are ashes and soot raining down on us something awful, and the black ickiness gets everywhere. Businesses and schools are closed until further notice. The economic repercussions of this event are enormous.
There are people who have lost everything. They grabbed their kids and whatever pet they could catch and ran. On Friday there were caravans of people in horse trailers trying to save livestock and transport it to the fairgrounds outside the danger area, but many many animals had to be left behind-horses, cattle, sheep, goats, chickens. And of course the wild creatures who live in the woods and fields…
The fear and bewilderment these animals are experiencing is heartbreaking. The photographer said that this poor left behind horse was trembling and shaking in terror. He had no way to save it, but did post the photo on Facebook. The owner of the horse has been found, but there is now no way to know if the horse survived.
I apologize for thee length of this post. If anyone wants to help those affected by the fire, The Resource Connection in San Andreas, CA is looking for donations. Resource Connection, P.O. Box 919, San Andreas, CA 95349. (209) 754-1257.
90 responses to “Where To Begin”
Please stay safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all those affected by the fires.
Please stay safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all those affected by the fires.
Please stay safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all those affected by the fires.
Thank you for this post. We see this on our news of course, but being across the country makes it feel very far away. Your comments and pictures make it very very real and remind us of the devastation going on. We keep fingers crossed that you, your family, and home will be safe. Stay strong as life as you and your community knew it renews into a new normal. Please keep us posted on your personal story.
Thank you for this post. We see this on our news of course, but being across the country makes it feel very far away. Your comments and pictures make it very very real and remind us of the devastation going on. We keep fingers crossed that you, your family, and home will be safe. Stay strong as life as you and your community knew it renews into a new normal. Please keep us posted on your personal story.
Thank you for this post. We see this on our news of course, but being across the country makes it feel very far away. Your comments and pictures make it very very real and remind us of the devastation going on. We keep fingers crossed that you, your family, and home will be safe. Stay strong as life as you and your community knew it renews into a new normal. Please keep us posted on your personal story.
Oh Nicole, this is so tragic, sad, and scary. I’ve been praying for enough steady rains to put out these terrible fires and for the safety of all there.
Be wise, pack the car, and don’t wait until the last minute to leave if it comes to that. Be safe.
I wish I could be of help to you.
Big hugs!
Oh Nicole, this is so tragic, sad, and scary. I’ve been praying for enough steady rains to put out these terrible fires and for the safety of all there.
Be wise, pack the car, and don’t wait until the last minute to leave if it comes to that. Be safe.
I wish I could be of help to you.
Big hugs!
Oh Nicole, this is so tragic, sad, and scary. I’ve been praying for enough steady rains to put out these terrible fires and for the safety of all there.
Be wise, pack the car, and don’t wait until the last minute to leave if it comes to that. Be safe.
I wish I could be of help to you.
Big hugs!
Nicole, I agree with Barbara Anne, give yourself plenty of time to get to safety. How terrifying!
About six years ago we had a bad bushfire that was four kilometers from us with temperatures of 48 deg C. That was scary enough but thankfully three or four helicopters water bombing for days helped to contain it. All firefighters deserve honour for their courage and commitment!
I do hope and pray they will be able to contain it before there is more loss. Stay safe!
Nicole, I agree with Barbara Anne, give yourself plenty of time to get to safety. How terrifying!
About six years ago we had a bad bushfire that was four kilometers from us with temperatures of 48 deg C. That was scary enough but thankfully three or four helicopters water bombing for days helped to contain it. All firefighters deserve honour for their courage and commitment!
I do hope and pray they will be able to contain it before there is more loss. Stay safe!
Nicole, I agree with Barbara Anne, give yourself plenty of time to get to safety. How terrifying!
About six years ago we had a bad bushfire that was four kilometers from us with temperatures of 48 deg C. That was scary enough but thankfully three or four helicopters water bombing for days helped to contain it. All firefighters deserve honour for their courage and commitment!
I do hope and pray they will be able to contain it before there is more loss. Stay safe!
Nicole, my thoughts are with you and your family! Do stay safe and take care!!!
Nicole, my thoughts are with you and your family! Do stay safe and take care!!!
Nicole, my thoughts are with you and your family! Do stay safe and take care!!!
Nicole, be safe and take care of yourself. I just keep watching the news. it is impossible to grasp the enormity of this situation in our beloved state right now. I am thinking of you and praying for this to end soon for all the people involved.
Mary
Nicole, be safe and take care of yourself. I just keep watching the news. it is impossible to grasp the enormity of this situation in our beloved state right now. I am thinking of you and praying for this to end soon for all the people involved.
Mary
Nicole, be safe and take care of yourself. I just keep watching the news. it is impossible to grasp the enormity of this situation in our beloved state right now. I am thinking of you and praying for this to end soon for all the people involved.
Mary
I am not quite sure where you live but every time I see these fires on the news I think of you knowing you are close. We were evacuated during the ’03 Old fire in So Cal and it was such a scary time. We were lucky but my in-laws lost a home. So much devastation. May you all be safe and hope they get some control soon and are able to save homes. Keeping you in out thoughts and prayers. God bless all those firefighters.
I am not quite sure where you live but every time I see these fires on the news I think of you knowing you are close. We were evacuated during the ’03 Old fire in So Cal and it was such a scary time. We were lucky but my in-laws lost a home. So much devastation. May you all be safe and hope they get some control soon and are able to save homes. Keeping you in out thoughts and prayers. God bless all those firefighters.
I am not quite sure where you live but every time I see these fires on the news I think of you knowing you are close. We were evacuated during the ’03 Old fire in So Cal and it was such a scary time. We were lucky but my in-laws lost a home. So much devastation. May you all be safe and hope they get some control soon and are able to save homes. Keeping you in out thoughts and prayers. God bless all those firefighters.
Our hearts (DH, too) go out to you. Gold Country is one of our favorite vacation spots. Don’t you have respiratory problems? The smoke can’t be good for that. If it were me, I would have left by now, but I understand deserting all you have worked your life for. Please stay safe and don’t put yourself in harm’s way.
Our hearts (DH, too) go out to you. Gold Country is one of our favorite vacation spots. Don’t you have respiratory problems? The smoke can’t be good for that. If it were me, I would have left by now, but I understand deserting all you have worked your life for. Please stay safe and don’t put yourself in harm’s way.
Our hearts (DH, too) go out to you. Gold Country is one of our favorite vacation spots. Don’t you have respiratory problems? The smoke can’t be good for that. If it were me, I would have left by now, but I understand deserting all you have worked your life for. Please stay safe and don’t put yourself in harm’s way.
Stay safe and pack the car. Fires move very fast. Family, including pets,legal docs, photos, meds, sneak in a quilt or 2. The rest can be replaced if need be.
Our daughter and her family are in Sacramento area. Smoke is very heavy there.
Stay safe and pack the car. Fires move very fast. Family, including pets,legal docs, photos, meds, sneak in a quilt or 2. The rest can be replaced if need be.
Our daughter and her family are in Sacramento area. Smoke is very heavy there.
Stay safe and pack the car. Fires move very fast. Family, including pets,legal docs, photos, meds, sneak in a quilt or 2. The rest can be replaced if need be.
Our daughter and her family are in Sacramento area. Smoke is very heavy there.
Prayers for you and your family, neighbors and particularly, the firefighters. Stay safe.
Prayers for you and your family, neighbors and particularly, the firefighters. Stay safe.
Prayers for you and your family, neighbors and particularly, the firefighters. Stay safe.
Amazing photos and your personal journey right now is tremendous. I wish you first safety for your entire family and everything else right after that. I look forward to hearing from you again, with better news. Take care and if there is something other than the donations you think I can do from Houston, TX, please let me know.
Amazing photos and your personal journey right now is tremendous. I wish you first safety for your entire family and everything else right after that. I look forward to hearing from you again, with better news. Take care and if there is something other than the donations you think I can do from Houston, TX, please let me know.
Amazing photos and your personal journey right now is tremendous. I wish you first safety for your entire family and everything else right after that. I look forward to hearing from you again, with better news. Take care and if there is something other than the donations you think I can do from Houston, TX, please let me know.
We have been battling fires here in Washington for the last month, and totally realize what you are going through. It tugged at my heart to see all the firefighters arriving to help….from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. What amazing people these firefighters are. Sadly, 3 were lost when they couldn’t escape, in a vehicle, in time. Which leads to my next point: fire moves FAST. Please don’t wait til the last minute if you are ordered to go. Prayers for you all!
We have been battling fires here in Washington for the last month, and totally realize what you are going through. It tugged at my heart to see all the firefighters arriving to help….from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. What amazing people these firefighters are. Sadly, 3 were lost when they couldn’t escape, in a vehicle, in time. Which leads to my next point: fire moves FAST. Please don’t wait til the last minute if you are ordered to go. Prayers for you all!
We have been battling fires here in Washington for the last month, and totally realize what you are going through. It tugged at my heart to see all the firefighters arriving to help….from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. What amazing people these firefighters are. Sadly, 3 were lost when they couldn’t escape, in a vehicle, in time. Which leads to my next point: fire moves FAST. Please don’t wait til the last minute if you are ordered to go. Prayers for you all!
stay safe! is so heart breaking to see the devastation on the news. 🙁
stay safe! is so heart breaking to see the devastation on the news. 🙁
stay safe! is so heart breaking to see the devastation on the news. 🙁
Your sky pictures strike a core….
And I know what you mean about a line of “saviors”. Once after a bad hurricane I watched 75 electric trucks stream into Galveston and it still gives me goose bumps.
Your sky pictures strike a core….
And I know what you mean about a line of “saviors”. Once after a bad hurricane I watched 75 electric trucks stream into Galveston and it still gives me goose bumps.
Your sky pictures strike a core….
And I know what you mean about a line of “saviors”. Once after a bad hurricane I watched 75 electric trucks stream into Galveston and it still gives me goose bumps.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Didn’t know you were this close…thinking of you and praying that everything will be all right. Please stay safe! xoxo
Didn’t know you were this close…thinking of you and praying that everything will be all right. Please stay safe! xoxo
Didn’t know you were this close…thinking of you and praying that everything will be all right. Please stay safe! xoxo
Praying for everyone out there.
Praying for everyone out there.
Praying for everyone out there.
Oh Nicole, I thought of you when I saw the news of the fires. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Stay safe.
Oh Nicole, I thought of you when I saw the news of the fires. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Stay safe.
Oh Nicole, I thought of you when I saw the news of the fires. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Stay safe.
My thoughts, prayers and hugs are with you and everyone affected. I hope the fires get under control soon and God bless these and all firefighters indeed.
My thoughts, prayers and hugs are with you and everyone affected. I hope the fires get under control soon and God bless these and all firefighters indeed.
My thoughts, prayers and hugs are with you and everyone affected. I hope the fires get under control soon and God bless these and all firefighters indeed.
Praying for you and all those affected by these fires. Please be safe and ready to leave. My sil was a firefighter for 25 years, recently retired at age 50 so I know some of the hazards of firefighters. Praise for that line of fire trucks coming into area. Gives me goose bumps.
Praying for you and all those affected by these fires. Please be safe and ready to leave. My sil was a firefighter for 25 years, recently retired at age 50 so I know some of the hazards of firefighters. Praise for that line of fire trucks coming into area. Gives me goose bumps.
Praying for you and all those affected by these fires. Please be safe and ready to leave. My sil was a firefighter for 25 years, recently retired at age 50 so I know some of the hazards of firefighters. Praise for that line of fire trucks coming into area. Gives me goose bumps.
Nicole
I am praying for you and all my friends in the area as well as my son-in-law and my daughter living in the area who are also on evacuation alert. It has been a rough few days but they say the weather is improving for the Butte fire. I hope it improves for the Lake county fire as well. Things can be replaced. Stay safe and go if you have to…….Blessings G
Nicole
I am praying for you and all my friends in the area as well as my son-in-law and my daughter living in the area who are also on evacuation alert. It has been a rough few days but they say the weather is improving for the Butte fire. I hope it improves for the Lake county fire as well. Things can be replaced. Stay safe and go if you have to…….Blessings G
Nicole
I am praying for you and all my friends in the area as well as my son-in-law and my daughter living in the area who are also on evacuation alert. It has been a rough few days but they say the weather is improving for the Butte fire. I hope it improves for the Lake county fire as well. Things can be replaced. Stay safe and go if you have to…….Blessings G
Prayers for you, your family and everyone in the area. Be safe.
Prayers for you, your family and everyone in the area. Be safe.
Prayers for you, your family and everyone in the area. Be safe.
Nicole, you & your loved ones, friends & neighbors are in my thoughts during this terrifying time. Take care of yourselves & give plenty of time to get out safely if/when the order comes.
Nicole, you & your loved ones, friends & neighbors are in my thoughts during this terrifying time. Take care of yourselves & give plenty of time to get out safely if/when the order comes.
Nicole, you & your loved ones, friends & neighbors are in my thoughts during this terrifying time. Take care of yourselves & give plenty of time to get out safely if/when the order comes.
Hope you and your loved ones are safe. Fire us such a destructive force, after the long droughts you have been enduring what more can mother nature throw at you.
Hope you and your loved ones are safe. Fire us such a destructive force, after the long droughts you have been enduring what more can mother nature throw at you.
Hope you and your loved ones are safe. Fire us such a destructive force, after the long droughts you have been enduring what more can mother nature throw at you.
Nicole, prayers are with you and you neighbors during this frightening time. Living in the So Cal mountains, we were evacuated in 2003 and again in 2007. We were fortunate both times that our home was spared. You are right to prepare in the event of, and I pray that it does not come to evacuating. Take care.
Nicole, prayers are with you and you neighbors during this frightening time. Living in the So Cal mountains, we were evacuated in 2003 and again in 2007. We were fortunate both times that our home was spared. You are right to prepare in the event of, and I pray that it does not come to evacuating. Take care.
Nicole, prayers are with you and you neighbors during this frightening time. Living in the So Cal mountains, we were evacuated in 2003 and again in 2007. We were fortunate both times that our home was spared. You are right to prepare in the event of, and I pray that it does not come to evacuating. Take care.
I am praying for you and your friends and neighbors. My cousin’s son who is a firefighter went out from Ohio to help for about three weeks. Stay safe and be careful.
I am praying for you and your friends and neighbors. My cousin’s son who is a firefighter went out from Ohio to help for about three weeks. Stay safe and be careful.
I am praying for you and your friends and neighbors. My cousin’s son who is a firefighter went out from Ohio to help for about three weeks. Stay safe and be careful.
Oh wow! I can’t begin to be able to imagine what is going on down there. Take care and my prayers have been said for your area and the firefighters.
Oh wow! I can’t begin to be able to imagine what is going on down there. Take care and my prayers have been said for your area and the firefighters.
Oh wow! I can’t begin to be able to imagine what is going on down there. Take care and my prayers have been said for your area and the firefighters.
This post makes me almost cry as what you described is what we’ve been dealing with this summer and last. It’s so frightening, sad and heartrending everywhere you turn. But people are so resilient too. It’s amazing how wonderful people can be in these times of crisis. I still get this sort of shaky feeling when I drive by the worst of the devastation. Fire is terribly destructive.
This post makes me almost cry as what you described is what we’ve been dealing with this summer and last. It’s so frightening, sad and heartrending everywhere you turn. But people are so resilient too. It’s amazing how wonderful people can be in these times of crisis. I still get this sort of shaky feeling when I drive by the worst of the devastation. Fire is terribly destructive.
This post makes me almost cry as what you described is what we’ve been dealing with this summer and last. It’s so frightening, sad and heartrending everywhere you turn. But people are so resilient too. It’s amazing how wonderful people can be in these times of crisis. I still get this sort of shaky feeling when I drive by the worst of the devastation. Fire is terribly destructive.
Thinking of you during this time. I know this has to be very scary.
Thinking of you during this time. I know this has to be very scary.
Thinking of you during this time. I know this has to be very scary.
Just catching up on reading — God bless your community. Some things are so hard to understand. It does give you those moments to reflect on the things that matter the most. Your family, photo memories … and those quilts. Take care.
Just catching up on reading — God bless your community. Some things are so hard to understand. It does give you those moments to reflect on the things that matter the most. Your family, photo memories … and those quilts. Take care.
Just catching up on reading — God bless your community. Some things are so hard to understand. It does give you those moments to reflect on the things that matter the most. Your family, photo memories … and those quilts. Take care.