The view towards the Sierras from our house |
The Rim Fire is a monster. So far it's consumed almost 134, 000 acres, is being fought by over 2,850 firefighters and is only 7% contained eight days after the lightning that started it struck. Yosemite is about 70 miles away from our house if you take the corkscrew road that winds there, but actually only 40 miles away as the crow flies. It's close but far. Copperopolis is well out of the fire's reach, and from our house the only indication of the fire is the smudge of smoke that hangs along the horizon and an occasional whiff of smoke when the wind shifts. Yet I can think of nothing but the destruction that is racing up and down the mountains. Bruce showed me a webcam taken from the cockpit of a DC-10. The smoke loomed ever larger and the flames licked skywards like they they were well on their way to taking over the entire world. "That's unreal," the pilot quietly said.
And that about says it all.
Below is a page lifted from the Sierra Sun Times. I'm assuming that posting it is OK as long as credit is given.
I keep thinking about you guys up there and am really concerned. Kiichi keeps reassuring me that the fire is no where near you and would have to go thru a lot before it comes near you. He had to pull up a map and show me where you are compared the distance to the fire. All I know is that I'm praying for the safety of everyone affected and that the fire can be contained as soon as possible!
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Sweetie. Kiichi's right -- the fire (although it seems rather close) is at a safe distance from us. It's sheer size makes it appear close -- that's one of the freaky things about it. I just hate the thought of all of that destruction...let's hope that they have that they get a handle on that thing soon.
ReplyDelete