We know that summer is really here in our area (Lake Chelan, North Central Washington) when we get our first wild fire in the area. This year’s first fire is in… Swakane Canyon, which is south of us by road, 28 miles. However, as a crow flies it is about 16.5 miles from us. That seems like a LONG ways away…
In 1994, a lightning strike hit Tyee Ridge, 20 miles away from our place as a crow flies, about 38 miles away from Chelan, as a crow flies. Within 4 days, that fire burned through our place, kept going, and just about burned the town of Chelan. It was one of the worst wild fires in the history of Washington state. It burned 135,000 acres!
Because of that, every time there is a wildfire (and it’s just about every summer), I get nervous, even if the fire is not so close. It just has to be on our side of Lake Chelan, and on our side of the Columbia River for me to freak out.
It has been VERY windy and fanning the flames of the Swakane fire (just like 1994′s Tyee fire). So I am thinking out an evacuation plan for the animals. If it was just us, I wouldn’t be so anxious. We could evacuate on a moment’s notice. But with 3 llamas, 9 sheep, 2 goats, 3 dogs, 5 cats, 4 pigeons, countless chickens, 3 pet rats, and 3 hermit crabs, evacuating takes some planning and coordinating. Like, who’s horse trailer can we borrow?, or better yet, where will we take all these animals? In past years, the Chelan Rodeo grounds opens up for livestock, but WHO would be willing to house the rest?????
And then, there is the anxiety of losing EVERYTHING we own. That includes family heirlooms and antiques, pictures, furniture (with some pieces THAT would be a blessing!), computers, and my kids precious stuff etc, etc. I woke up several times last night with adrenaline rushes about what we could lose. I had to keep telling myself, “It’s just stuff, it’s just stuff, it’s just stuff.) While I was telling myself this, the bible verse, Matthew 6:19-21 came to mind: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust (and wildfires) destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” This helped me accept that everything we own is “just stuff”. It can be replaced (although heirlooms and sentimental things are harder to replace) It’s just stuff, it’s just stuff, it’s just stuff.
UPDATE: The above was written about 2 weeks ago. I never got around to posting it. Too busy. Well, the Swakane fire did burn quite a lot of acres, 20, 000, it did NOT come close to us. We were concerned if it got too windy for many days, it would jump the Entiat river and get us. Thankfully it was contained and no loss of life or homes. It did burn down to Hightway 97 in several places, but God bless the firefighters protecting all those homes along the way.
I know I overeacted worrying about the fire, but the infamous ’94 Tyee fire was so ferocious. Apparently it was a huge fire storm travelling at 60 miles per hour. Miraculously, it burned right around the cabin (that is our house now). It consumed pines right in front of the house and right behind the house, but NOT THE HOUSE. Amazing! Many homes were lost. It came through our area so fast that there was NO fire protection, it was too dangerous.
It is miraculous that there aren’t more wildfires in our area than there are. A vew years ago, some part time property owners near us went home to the other side of the mountains (the WET side) and left a campfire going. DURING A BURN BAN and IN SEPTEMBER the dryest month!!!!! We went over and tried to put it out but it was too hot. We called the Forest Service and they said they would send a truck. They never came. We baby sat the fire till it went down. The next day the DNR came up and took care of it. If that fire had “taken off”, we were right in it’s path.
So, I just keep reciting to myself, “its just stuff, its just stuff, its just stuff, its just stuff…..
If any of you have some wildfire stories, I’d love to hear them.
Until next time…..
No wildfire stories; my phobias run towards floods even though I really don’t have any personal flood stories, either. You’re so right, “It’s just stuff,” but boy, the devil still works hard to make it near and dear to our hearts, doesn’t he?
Yes he does. Floods would be a fear of mine if I lived in western Washington. I’m glad you don’t have any personal flood stories.
Jackie