Unexpected Detours
As I write this blog, I am sitting in my home office gazing out over the Santa Monica mountains where the air is a bit hazy, but the view is still spectacular. It’s Wednesday morning and I should be at the office. But, I’m not.
I’m working from home because for the third day, my family’s home is under a mandatory evacuation order because of the Sandy Fire. Why, you might be wondering… are you home if you’re under a mandatory evacuation order?!
A couple of reasons … First, I’m a member of our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and when there’s an emergency we stay behind to help if it’s safe. Second, my family has lived in this home since 1980, and we’ve been through several very large brush fires. We’ve learned many things and one of those is how we can stay in our home to protect it and still be safe. Third, in California, an informed homeowner can opt to stay even under a mandatory order. I would say that for the vast, vast majority of homeowners, if a mandatory evacuation order comes … GO! Be ready at all times with your Go Bag but when the order comes, stay calm, and get out.
Being here these past few days on constant alert has given me a little time to reflect. I’ve thought about the importance of family. My husband, son and I have spent much time prepping by moving all flammable things like chair cushions inside the house, positioning shovels and fire extinguishers, laying out garden hoses and generally discussing our strategy depending on the conditions if the fire approaches. We’ve been through this before. We think (ha!) we know what to expect.
This fire has been different. In the morning, it’s calm and little smoke is visible. By noon the wind begins to shift and we get massive flareups. The strong winds continue through sundown when the winds (thank heavens!) begin to die down. Overnight the fire lays low and then the process repeats the next day. Maybe not today but we’ll see.
Yesterday, my son and I spent hours from our back yard watching as helicopters and fixed wing aircraft flew countless sorties doing precision water or Phos-Chek drops. The helicopters come in and drop water remaining visible to us over the ridge line. But those fixed wing aircraft with the Phos-check!! We watched as they circled their target area twice, three, four, even five times and then those brave pilots descended until they disappeared behind the ridge line going low, SO LOW, to the ground to drop their bright pink fire retardant! We held our breaths, praying until those planes reappeared above the ridge line and took off to reload. Immediately after that drop helicopters circled in to drop massive amounts of water, one after another. The coordination and bravery were unbelievable to watch. Every time we thought the fire would break through their defensive lines and race close to us, they were able to beat it back. How grateful are we for those brave men and women!!
We got out our telescope and watched as the hand crews and fire trucks made their way along the fire road at the top of the distant ridge to stand between the fire and the homes in our community. All through the days and nights, they were there to do whatever was needed.
My daughter has checked in with us to see what she could do, but we encouraged her to stay safe and just be ready to receive us if it became necessary to leave. It has to be as hard on her as it is on us. Sometimes the not knowing is worse than the knowing…right?
My son has been steadfast in his willingness and ability to do whatever is needed to do his part. The constant on again, off again has been harder on him than any of us, I think. He provided me with some much-needed relief yesterday when he showed me a brief preview of a project he’s working on. I’m constantly in awe of his creativity.
And, sadly, I’ve observed how much my husband has weakened these past few years. He’s just not physically able to do some of the harder things required to stay in our home. Maybe it’s time we begin to think of other options? I don’t know. Maybe not tomorrow but sooner rather than later, some hard decisions will need to be made for the health and welfare of all my family.
Well, on the sad note, let me just say that I am grateful. Grateful to those hundreds of hard-working firefighters who serve all of us on a daily basis. Grateful to Morton Wealth for allowing me the time and latitude to do what I need to do in these circumstances. Grateful for all my many blessings. Grateful to all those friends and clients who reached out these past few days to offer support and encouragement. Most of all, grateful that my family is safe and well. Thanks for “listening” … I feel better now!