Saved by the rain!

Well at this point the rain saved the day as you can see it pouring off the back porch. Thanks for all of your prayers, thoughts and offers of places to stay. It makes you appreciate good friends and neighbors the value of which can never be burnt away by a fire.

On the darker side of this story, the multitudes of volunteer fire departments that showed up to help us out were poorly treated by the State. Someone needs to answer for the lack of concern shown to our firefighters, and property owners. There is little or no communication from the State to us or the firefighters. I am not sure of the reasons for this, but our lives and property are being placed at risk all for who controls the scene. I spent all day trying to get information without going directly to the fire and had little success. It is not very comforting to smell smoke all day and night and not know if you are in danger. I talked to the State Police, the Forestry Service and the local fire departments and found out less than I did smelling the air. We have no disaster plan and little ability to find out information in a timely manner. Having a working disaster plan is something that cannot wait. This is the second time in three years we have been threatened by forest fire and the second time it has been handled in the same manner. Enough already! We need a plan immediately that communicates with people, and best uses the generous resources of our volunteer Fire Departments.

This doesn't need to be difficult. We are not a town of millions but less than 100. Anyone who has ever been part of a small community knows that there are a few key people the State could keep informed and everyone would know. Why is that so hard for them to do. We don't need an elaborate evacuation plan.... we know how to get out of the woods... we live here. Why send people up here who don't know the woods to give us a plan. Just tell us what is going on. Involve us and we can save ourselves and others. This plan needs to respect our local firefighters....use them and not abuse them by making them stand around while our forest burns. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! I am generally not a protester or a complainer, but fire scares me enough to make me one.

I know this probably won't make much news, since Tuesday is election day. But if you have a voice after you vote. Call Matt Baker and let him know you want to be safe in this Canyon. Now is the time for bravery before someone dies for lack of a plan. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out and sleeping better tonight!