What a vacation!
We planned to spend a few pleasant days with friends in Twisp Washington, enjoy a couple of hikes in the North Cascades, and attend several events with my classmates at the Omak High School Reunion.
Little did we know the largest wildfire in Washington State history was going to spoil our plans. But, being seasoned travelers, we rolled with the punches.
Thirty minutes after arriving at our friends’ home in Twisp, the scanner announced a group of firefighters were in desperate trouble due to a new wildfire in the Twisp River Valley. (Very sad to say three of them died in the event.) It became clear quickly that the Twisp/Methow area was going to be evacuated.
Changing plans we went to Omak for the next three days.
Heavy smoke from the nearby wildfires put a crimp on any outdoor activity. On the plus side my old friend Dan was also attending the Reunion activities. He is a wildfire behavioral expert and took us on several drives into the active wildfire areas. It’s amazing what you can see and learn about wildfires.
Active wildfire in Conconully
The remains of a newly-built home from the wildfire
Active wildfire
Hillside burnt in last several hours
Helicopter going for another huge bucket of water for fighting the wildfire
Another causality of the wildfire
Downed powerlines
The sun trying to burn though the heavy smoke
Remains of a Harley-Davidson
Heavy smoke cover at twilight
Odd looking plane for fighting wildfires
Active wildfire
We lived in California for a while…so I saw a few of these raging wildfires. Praying for rain; praying for the wind to calm down. Saw incredible damage in a short period of time!
They are incredible and can cause terrific damage in a short period of time.
Hi John,
WOW#, Be safe, reminds me of the 50 years we lived on top of the hill in Ventura, we had at least a half dozen fires in those years with 3 evacuations, scary stuff.
Blessings
Ed Lyon
Community Director, FCA Ventura County
P.O. Box 6033, Ventura, CA 93006
805-746-4725
elyon@fca.org
See our Vision
http://www.venturacountyfca.org
FCA UCLA Sports Camp
www
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Mathew 6:21
Please Donate: http://www.venturacountyfca.org/Ed
Southern California has seen more than its share of wildfires, that’s for sure.
We’ll have to try having you come and stay again…but without the fires! Nice pics in your post and I bet Dan’s insight was very helpful. I would have appreciated hearing him talk about the fires.
Thanks Sally. We may take you up on your offer next summer. Many folks didn’t make it to the Reunion due to the wildfires. There’s talk about having another get together next year in Omak.
And, I was really looking forward to hiking in the Windy Pass area.
Thanks again for the kind offer of hospitality. We always enjoy yours and George’s company.