Living through fire

Saturday, June 23, 2012

It was a day just like any other... kind of.  At least like the ones since the Waldo Canyon Fire began- 5% contained and far from the city.

Tuesday (June 23rd) was day #4 of the fire.  The air was full of smoke and the fire was now visible, but we were grateful it still far from our city.  Mid-afternoon, a storm came in, but rather than providing the life-giving, fire-stopping rain we hoped for, it gave us 65 mph winds, sending the fire right into the western part of the city.

Around 5 pm, Ashlea and I went out to take picture of the fire.  20 minutes later, we realized we were not getting close to Garden of the Gods in anytime soon, so we turned around and pulled into the church parking lot.  We looked towards the mountains in horror and attempted to capture the terror we saw.  We stood there, smelling and breathing the smoke, yet it still all felt unreal.  As we turned to leave, the building we saw when we arrived had virtually disappeared in the smoke- a building that was only a mile away.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

It was then time for me to go to class.  My 12 minute drive turned into 25 minutes. Thousands of people were evacuating their homes in Mountain Shadows and were fleeing for safety.  As I drove, the city was overcast with darkness- 5:45 pm and it was as if it were dusk.  Ash fell from the sky and the smell of smoke filled my car. Dismayed.  Silent.  Alone.  A city in complete panic and terror.  A city resembling the apocalypse.

After 15 minutes in the smoked filled school, my professor released us to go home. Again, my 12 minute drive turned into 30.  My roommates and I decided we should pack just in case we had to evacuate.  After all, we were only a mile from numerous mandatory evacuations.  As we packed, we reevaluated what was valuable.  What is most important to us?  What if I never see my house again? Where will I go?  What will I do?  

Thankfully, we did not have to answer those last three questions.  It has been 15 days since the fire started and is 98% contained.  Over $15.4 million.  18,247 acres burned.  1500+ fighting the fire.  32,000 evacuated.  347 homes destroyed.  2 fatalities.  1 God who protected us from any unknown harm.

http://www.conservativesforamerica.com/michelle-malkin/day-5-of-waldo-canyon-fire-evacuation-blaze-engulfs-homeshistoric-ranch-32k-total-evacuated-more-dangerous-winds-heat-ahead

Thank you to all the firefighter and personnel working to keep our city safe!


JL