Rollercoaster Ride

It has definitely been a rollercoaster ride of emotions this week. The fire has consumed almost 400,000 acres. That is a lot of beautiful forest land that will never be the same in my lifetime or even my kids' lifetime. Those mountains are our home.

This week we went from praying the fire wouldn't burn homes, to praying it would just stop and back to praying it wouldn't burn homes. More towns were evacuated leaving thousands of people scrambling to find a place to stay. Some decided to stay behind to defend their homes. I can understand their need to do that, but at what point do you say this is just stuff, but I can't be replaced? The wind was viscious at the fire scene. It was throwing embers 3 miles ahead of the fire and dropping hot ash on homes and people, which makes it impossible for firefighters to get a handle on it. In one small town that sits in a valley, the fire came down the canyon and force firefighters to retreat for safety reasons. As soon as it was safe to do so, they were back in there defending homes with a vengence. In all, they lost 22 homes in that town and 5 others in my dad's town. The larger of the towns has suffered no home loss yet. Considering what they have been up against, it is nothing short of a miracle there has been no more loss of homes, no loss of life and no major injuries so far.

Anyone who has ever lived there, lives there now, spent time there at all or has family there, understands the emotions that we have all been feeling since this fire started. At one moment it is a fear that grips so strong you can't breathe. Fear that people won't get out in time, fear for those that stayed behind and fear for the firefighters who are willingly putting themselves in harms way to stop this beast of a fire. Fear for our friends and family and total strangers. The next moment it is complete and total sadness. Tears flow freely for the loss of our beautiful mountains, the loss of homes, the people who were forced to flee their homes leaving behind their whole lives and for the local law enforcement and firefighters who are facing the same things, but deciding to help others instead of themselves. Sadness for the loss of wildlife in the area. There are dead elk and deer and other animals from this fire and many animals there were displaced also, just like the humans. Then it is total frustration. Frustrated at the weather not giving one single inch, the wind blowing relentlessly. Frustrated that there is nothing that can be done except pray even though there is almost a desperate feeling to want to help. We also have hope. Hope from the news that there are still green patches in our beautiful forest. Hope that people can go back to their homes very soon. Hope that the miracles will continue.

The greatest feeling though, is undying gratitude. Thankful to God for the miracles that have occurred. The firefighters being able to stop the fire from burning up whole towns in the fire's path. Thankful to those that have come in and are giving up their time with their families to help total strangers who have been sent running from their homes and to those who are helping the animals who are victims in this as well. They are volunteering in shelters, opening their homes, offering their time and money and giving what they can. Strangers praying for strangers and the many donations that have been given. Also gratitude for those that have been keeping people updated on facebook and other various websites. Social networking has never had a finer moment than this last week. New friends have been made and so much support given. We have been able to read first hand accounts of what is going on, known immediately when the evacuations were in effect and seen some truly horrifying and amazing pictures. Gratitude for the law enforcement officials that have worked overtime to protect the good citizens and have done it in a timely manner. First and foremost, their priority has been to protect life. Gratitude for those that are cooridinating this to knock down the beast as quickly and safely as possible and gratitude for those who have worked behind the scenes answering phones, dispatching, volunteering and whatever else has needed to be done. Even the media has been helpful through this instead of being cruel like they can be sometimes. Also, gratitude for those who have expressed concern, sympathy, well wishes, thoughts, support and prayers. Words can never, ever express that gratitude that is felt to the firefighters who have come from all over the country to fight this fire. THEY ARE TRULY AMAZING!!!

This is far from being over. Homes are still in danger. There is finally a tiny bit of containment and they are working feverishly to hold the lines they have established and make other lines. Tomorrow it is supposed to be windy again so they are working extra hard to get those lines stronger for tomorrow and hopefully be able to hold it. Prayers are still needed. We need rain in the worst way. It would be so amazing if monsoon would come early this year, but come with rain instead of dry thunderstorms that usually come first. Keep praying...the prayers are being heard and being answered!