Weeks like this, we’re full of mixed emotions. We’re nervous for what’s next, we’re sad for the conditions our area continues to face, but we’re also thankful and grateful for so much.
We’re now months into hot, dry weather. A high has evidently parked over us, bringing with it toastier temperatures than we’d like and little rain to speak of. Our river is seemingly running at a trickle and appears to be setting new record lows nearly every day now. It’s sad to look at the river each day, and we can’t help but wonder how bad it’s going to get before it starts getting better.
We’re doing our rain dances (but somewhat in moderation because we don’t want flooding like we experienced not long ago).
We held our breath when a vehicle and trailer caught fire on Wolf Creek Pass Tuesday afternoon, hopeful this was not the time for it to burn. We were thankful when it was extinguished and we learned all the people involved were OK.
We’re also now more than a week in on the Rio Blanco Fire and into some of our fellow community members being evacuated from their homes or being told to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
We’re more than a week into more and more resources making their way to our neck of the woods to help preserve life, property and other values.
It’s all a bit hard to stomach sometimes, especially after our community faced the Oak Fire a year ago.
We attended Tuesday evening’s community meeting on the Rio Blanco Fire not knowing what to expect, but we walked away feeling pretty good on many fronts.
The turnout was better than we expected, with several there just offering support to those who are closer to harm’s way. There were more smiles than tears. There were rounds of applause, and no anger openly expressed that we saw.
We were able to connect with several we know who are evacuated and make sure they’re all still safely in alternate locations and doing well.
We heard several people make comments along the lines of thoughts we’ve had: Our differences fail to matter near as much when we’re facing something together.
And, we left feeling hopeful about the progress the hundreds of firefighters and other personnel — both local and from elsewhere — are making on the fire.
It never ceases to amaze us the wealth of knowledge that exists in this area, and it’s continually comforting to know we have some of the best fire managers and firefighters around. We know battling this fire — with this weather, this close to homes — is no easy feat, and we can’t fathom the total of the years and years of knowledge these folks are pouring into this.
We’re also continually amazed at how this community never fails to come together to support its own and the firefighters who are coming to our aid. Volunteers took their time to help a local restaurant fulfill the meal needs of firefighters, people have offered accommodations they have to those displaced, meals and services to those in need and the firefighters, and multiple efforts are seeking to help those affected and to bring community to the forefront.
As we said last week, it’s all a testament to this community and a reason to celebrate.
But, keep up those rain dances. The Rio Blanco Fire isn’t done. The critical fire weather isn’t through with us yet. The drought remains. We’re definitely not out of the woods.
Randi Pierce
>