Yesterday was a morning like any other. We sat on the back deck with our coffee, figured out what we were going to do for the day, and then I came in to write my blog. I had just finished when my husband remarked, “Do you smell smoke?”
We are ever vigilant here, particularly in the summer months when fire danger is high. Running out onto the back deck we scanned the horizon, and sure enough, right down the road there was smoke. My husband jumped into the car to investigate. He came back two minutes later running into the house yelling, “Call 911!”
I grabbed the phone and relayed the information to the operator, giving them the address, which was two houses down and across the street from us. There was a camper on fire and it was traveling out into the brush. They got on this right away, and we soon heard sirens.
I grabbed my camera and went out on our back deck where I snapped this photo.
My heart was pounding and I felt very shaky. I went up the driveway and looked down the street. This shot shows you how close this was to us. The distance is about 900 feet, or to really give you perspective, about the length of three football fields.
Our neighbors down the street were hosing down their front yards. No one was home at the property on fire. Two of the neighbors went over there and removed the horses and brought them to a neighbors house behind the fire. The fellow there and his neighbor were busy hosing down their properties. Our volunteer group cordoned off the street to divert traffic in front and to the sides of fire. The sirens kept coming.
I went down the street a bit and took this photos from in front of our neighbors house.
The sound of the fire was loud. I could hear it crackling as brush went up in flames. The smoke coming up thickened.
I watched as the flames shot up a digger pine. Then we started hearing explosions, seven in all.
At this point we went and got everything ready in case we had to evacuate our home. This involved getting the dog’s ramp so we could get him into the car, and finding the two cat carriers. We also had to gather together important papers. I headed back outside and up to the street. This time I brought the video camera. Here is a short film of this event. The sound on the film is that of the fire.
The fire was put out in about an hour and a half. A nerve wracking hour and a half mind you! Later in the day after the fire fighters left, I went down the street and took the following photos of the devastation. You might see these photos and the details better if you click on the photo to isolate it and then click on it again to enlarge it. I did not go on to the property but took these photos from the street.
Here is the same tree which I saw go up in flames. It is amazing to me that only half of the tree burned.
Hoses were left behind in case this flared up again.
We were lucky this time. Lucky in the fact that there was no wind. Lucky to have such a quick response by our fire department. Lucky that two other fire stations came to help. And, lucky that we smelled the smoke and reported it. Lucky that another neighbor driving by called this in as well.
What started this fire? The camper had an electrical cord running to it and there was propane in the unit. Conjecture is that there was a short in the cord and leakage on the propane, which is an explosive combination. We will find out later, more likely next week when the community is holding an emergency evacuation meeting.
Again, our thanks go out to Mosquito Station 75 and their crew as well as to those volunteers who coordinated quickly enough to keep us all safe!
You’re so right that you were lucky! I think several of the largest of the fires have been traced back to some automotive malfunction! I also think it’s really wise that the community use this event as a motivator to mobilize an evacuation plan. I am certain this was very frightening. I’m glad you had the ability to document the event, though, as it really serves as a reminder of how vulnerable we all are to fire danger! So glad this time ended very well.
We were very lucky! As fate would have it the community meeting is one week to the day away. Maybe a wake up call? Or a reminder of how tenuous life here in the Foothills can be!
Wow, that was close! It’s lucky that you discovered the fire in its early stages and that the fire department was so quick to respond. Since I also live in a heavily forested area not far from you, this reminds me that I need to put my “Get Away” kit together for me and my dogs. Better to have it ready ahead of time than to be trying to throw things together in a panic. I’m so glad you’re okay!
Too close! We are also lucky that the fire department is only a little over a mile away! It is good to be prepared!
G’day! KNOW first hand HOW scary that can be!
I too was glad that all was OK with you and to see!
Cheers! Joanne
Thanks Joanne! It was scary and a reminder to be careful with the world around us!
We had to evacuate our summer place in Wyoming one summer when a fire started nearby. We could see the flames and the pilots were taking water from our lake. The cabins were all spared as, thankfully, were almost all cabins and buildings in the area but many acres were burned. We had the van packed with everything we could take plus the two cats and two dogs of absent friends. Scary stuff! I’m glad this wasn’t worse and that you are OK.
janet
Thank you for the comment Janet! This kind of event reminds one of what is precious and what can be replaced! My heart being in my throat is a good descriptor!
Wow! scary!
It was indeed!
thank goodness you have a good sense of smell! that was way too close for comfort. glad it turned out ok…
Me too! Hugs Z!
Luckily there were no injuries, their animals were taken to safety, and it didn’t get out of control. Fires can be all too devastating and can get out of control all too quickly. No matter where one lives being vigilant with fire is very important. Hope all that read your blog today will keep that in mind.
glad everyone is ok… whew that was close!
Too close!
I know what it is like. One time we had everything packed to go also. The one thing I learned from a fire being so close is that nothing matters except your family, animals, family pictures and important papers.
Indeed! Thank you for the comment Patti! Lunch soon?
We really need to. What days are good for you?
Friday – Saturday – Sunday….
How about next Saturday at the Gold Vine? Say 12:30?
Next Saturday is the evacuation meeting…The following Saturday eye appointments…how about the first weekend in August?
Okay, August 3rd. I will put it on my calendar.
Sounds good! Email me to remind me…will add to the calendar!
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