Scary times last week. Last Monday night September 7th 100+ mph east wind gusts pushed fires in the Cascade Mountains west towards Salem, Molalla and Estacada Oregon. Over the next few days several communities including Detroit, Idanha, Gates, Mill City, Mehama, Lyons, Scotts Mills, Colton and others had catastrophic loses. Not to mention all the other fires going on at the same time near Lincoln City, Newberg, Roseburg, Eugene, and Ashland. Absolutley craziness.
Homes, barns, animals, and several people's lives have been lost due to the fires. The fires have been contained for the most part since Saturday, but there is still a tremendous amount of work being done. Power crews are working around the clock repairing down power lines. Cleanup crews are working to remove dead animals. Crews are clearing fallen trees and rocks in the highways. Then there is the police that are protecting what is left and fighting off looters and catching arsonists. Hopefully we are through the scariest parts, but there is so much more rebuild and cleanup ahead.
I moved my cars to safety last Tuesday. What a job that is.... Growing up on the dry side of Oregon makes me always nervous about fire danger.
I have seen it happen too often in my lifetime. Maybe not having so much "stuff" is a good thing! A couple of weeks ago on the radio I heard there is a new trend called "Fall cleaning" instead of Spring cleaning. I am ok with that, this is a good excuse to move some stuff along. Less to worry about for the next disaster.
I am lucky and grateful the fire didn't get to my place. I feel very sad for the folks that cannot say that. This is going to be a long rebuild period. This Sunday, September 20th in Stayton, OR at Regis High School is a cruise-in to help raise funds to support the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund.
Here are a few great articles of civilians that jumped in and helped (the articles only capture a fraction of the people who are helping) Everyone put aside their differences, banded together and helped where ever is needed. These folks are still helping today too. Even in a natural disaster we have great people doing great things. These articles and actions give me hope for our world.
https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/behind-the-firelines-the-race-to-save-scotts-mills.html?fbclid=IwAR1i4-YBa9ur2iUHKPDoRSadliCfKohRvtDcSwguPSfNEfyxolJ_K18zNSMhttps://canbyfirst.com/all-volunteer-redneck-crew-credited-with-saving-molalla-neighborhood/?fbclid=IwAR3R4rHegmIZqRjsEMJjr5vzWH5GtnytAEat4JfitoZDWYdg6Ft_erp_ZCMI realize there is also a great deal of fires going on in Washington and California as well. I wish everyone safety and hope everyone can make it through this.