From the Edge: the Lockheed Fire August 17, 2009 9:50:37 AM PDT, August 17, 2009 I'm one of the fortunate ones; my house was never really in danger from the fire that still rages about three miles from home. Last year's Martin Road Fire came much closer, but we were evacuated for it. It was stressful to see distant smoke and watch mistaken news accounts that said our neighborhood had been destroyed, but in some ways it's harder to stay. The distinct clippa-clippa of helicopters begins early and is a constant until they are grounded with dusk. It's the same for the fixed wing aircraft that drop into the smoke to unleash their fire-colored retardant. The inescapable sound of the brave pilots working is reassuring, but a constant reminder of how dangerous our world is right now. Not that we need to be reminded of the fire. The smoke, which we have been told is like a ten pack a day habit, physically hurts. The Cal-fire Incident web page touts no homes have been lost even though more than eight square miles have burned. Only two outbuildings have been damaged, they say. But what outbuildings they were. One belonged to WO-MAN, a group that distributes medical marijuana to AIDs and cancer patients to help with their nausea. The other held a local artisans wood, the carefully selected pieces he would have turned into ridiculously beautiful pieces of furniture. The fire also melted pipes from his water storage tank so that, while his house was spared, the gardens he cherished are doomed in California's dog-days of heat to come. When a fire threatens and you have moments to save your most treasured possessions, you learn very few things are worth your attention. You grab the cat, maybe your grandmother's wedding ring, and if you are like me, the laptop where your latest book is forming. Everything else is just stuff. Even the baby pictures don't really matter as long as your children are safe; you carry those pictures and memories in your mind and heart. Please remember that, all you incredibly brave firefighters. Please be safe and go home to your families whole. As for me, my third book will begin with a preface about the Martin Fire of 2008, and now an additional mention: The Lockheed Fire of August 2009.
9:50:37 AM PDT, August 17, 2009
I'm one of the fortunate ones; my house was never really in danger from the fire that still rages about three miles from home. Last year's Martin Road Fire came much closer, but we were evacuated for it. It was stressful to see distant smoke and watch mistaken news accounts that said our neighborhood had been destroyed, but in some ways it's harder to stay.
The distinct clippa-clippa of helicopters begins early and is a constant until they are grounded with dusk. It's the same for the fixed wing aircraft that drop into the smoke to unleash their fire-colored retardant. The inescapable sound of the brave pilots working is reassuring, but a constant reminder of how dangerous our world is right now. Not that we need to be reminded of the fire. The smoke, which we have been told is like a ten pack a day habit, physically hurts.
The Cal-fire Incident web page touts no homes have been lost even though more than eight square miles have burned. Only two outbuildings have been damaged, they say. But what outbuildings they were. One belonged to WO-MAN, a group that distributes medical marijuana to AIDs and cancer patients to help with their nausea. The other held a local artisans wood, the carefully selected pieces he would have turned into ridiculously beautiful pieces of furniture. The fire also melted pipes from his water storage tank so that, while his house was spared, the gardens he cherished are doomed in California's dog-days of heat to come.
When a fire threatens and you have moments to save your most treasured possessions, you learn very few things are worth your attention. You grab the cat, maybe your grandmother's wedding ring, and if you are like me, the laptop where your latest book is forming. Everything else is just stuff. Even the baby pictures don't really matter as long as your children are safe; you carry those pictures and memories in your mind and heart.
Please remember that, all you incredibly brave firefighters. Please be safe and go home to your families whole. As for me, my third book will begin with a preface about the Martin Fire of 2008, and now an additional mention: The Lockheed Fire of August 2009.