Smoke fills Oregon skies.
In the valley, the smoke is so thick, from various wildfires, you need a gas mask if you're going out.
I resorted to a head scarf, draped over my face.
I am filled with unease. I am watering the maple. I don't know why. Seems important suddenly.
The smoke stinks of smoldering imminent doom. Of hell.
I eye the cats and wonder how I'd escape with them, if suddenly the neighborhood became a firestorm.
There is a fire at the KOA campground, the campground I passed when I went to the grange for the flea market. I can't get ahold of my friends who live out there and I know they're far enough from it and fine, but an irrational worry grips me nonetheless.
There are fires everywhere.
When Washington state became overwhelmed in fires with no resources left, they called out for volunteers. Over 3000 have signed on. Probably more than that by now.
One day, our Oregon skies will clear and rain will fall.
One day.
It is absolutely terrifying. I remember the firestorm which hit my city. By three o'clock it was so dark you couldn't see across the road. Black - with flames on the hills. 500 people''s homes were destroyed, and countless more bird and animal homes. And when I see or smell smoke my heart starts pounding.
ReplyDeleteStay safe - and I hope the weather gives the firefighters a chance.
500 people lost their homes? That's so terrible, what you describe, nothing like here. The fires are distant. But the images daily on the news of the fires in Oregon and Washington, of interviewing those who have lost everything, or caught up between fires, trying to get out, is horrifying. All those animals too, being burned alive and if they survive, losing everything too, wandering, no food, no homes...it can haunt one.
DeleteWe have firefighters in Oregon and Washington now from Australia and New Zealand, helping out.
DeleteVery disturbing. Fingers crossed. I had not heard we had firefighters there, but it does happen, and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. You be safe there. It is very smoky..
ReplyDeleteThank you WA.
DeleteI saw another photo of yours on Jim E's Facebook post.... how awful! Yes, it does haunt one.....
ReplyDeleteWe are maybe to get relief from the smoke this evening, with south winds.
DeleteWe are hoping for rain here. I have allergies, seasonal, mainly to the dust kicked up when the seed farmers plow under this time of year, trailing huge clouds of dust that extend forever and linger in the air throughout the valley. We suffer from high particulate air pollution as a result of this activity. Feels like sand in my eyes and course grains down my throat. the smoke does not bother me greatly, other than the stench, almost a smell of burning rubber, but not quite rubber, hard to describe, like something toxic smoldering but I just can't place what.
DeleteIt is at this time of year I wish I could leave the valley behind. I love this valley, it's my home, but there is a high price to pay for grass lawns and sports field grass, paid by those who live near the seed farmers, who suffer the allergies from their practices, and we are surrounded.
DeleteStay safe!
ReplyDelete