Hi, I am just coming in after surveying the southern property line. Smoky, but no sign of fire yet. We have chain saws ready to go, there are buckets on the front of the tractors and we are now thinking about setting up an outer fire break along the southern end of the property. Just taking a break while we grab a bite to eat and finalize plans. We did setup cameras along the southern line to monitor the progress if there is any. Families are safe in Phoenix, so we can focus on what needs to be done here to protect our homes. Sorry George, right now I am too busy to take a break. Maybe tomorrow.
Now begins the waiting game. Everything is in place, and we are ready should the fire shift directions. It is headed North East, but we are North West.
Living closer to the firelines...The hot smoke rises...goes over the top of us...cools...and drops down to the ground miles downwind.
BTW...took my special locomotives out of the evacuation bag...put em back on the layout...and ran trains yesterday. This hobby soothes the daily anxiety and uncertainty of "What's next ?"
As of this morning, we are no longer threatened by the fire. But we are keeping a watchful eye........
After Breakfast I think we will unload all the pre-evacuation bags and put things away. Maybe THE Wife will calm down some if she realizes the chances are slim to nil that we will be evacuated. The Rodeo–Chediski Fire of 2002 wore her out mentally. For days...gettin 2 vehicles packed and 3 kids rounded up and helping her started her journey into grey hair...I swear. I was working driving a school bus back then. There was no school but we where tasked with helping the elderly and handicapped evacuate to the shelters. I wasnt around much to help her. Ativan has proven to help her this time around
Here is the latest pic I took from the meadow in our developement last night @ 6:30PM The pic looks serene...until you realize the massive amount of Fire burning under it !!!
George- You had earlier noted not being able to take the RV. What that merely an evacuation restriction? Or is the RV no longer road worthy?
Its road worthy ok. BUT...in an emergency like a fire evacuation...there is going to be NO WAY THE Wife is going to let me drive THE RV and her the Jeep with 2 dogs and a bird following me. Like I mentioned earlier...forest fires freak her out...BAD! She wants me to drive and her to be in the same vehicle with our dogs. And..she said she aint leaving her Jeep to burn up. It must be a 'woman thing'... Everything has insurance to cover lose due to forest fires. If it burns...it burns. Its all replaceable. Although...with my health problems and age...there aint no way I could rebuild THERR !!
I sure know this, very well. I had figured, and with doctors orders, other than T-Trak type modules I would never build another model railroad. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to try anyway. Yikes. I now understand why the surgeon said no way. I want to do a modular shelf around three walls of a small room. Not sure I am going to make it much further, but am going to try.
George, in a situation like this, do you know of any safe places to move THE RV for 'just in case' reasons? I'm thinking possibly loading it up with some goods and moving it at the first sign of possible evacuation. Your wife could follow and bring you back home to await an official evac, if it ever happens. I understand that reason goes out the window in situations like this, and the number one priority is keeping everyone calm and on an even keel. The above was just me thinking out loud about possible solutions in the future.
Then to top things off...I got a tornado warning on the cellphone @5Pm. It was on the ground in Snowflake/Taylor...15 miles to the North...geeezzzzzzzzz
At midnight tonight you'll get a blizzard warning for six feet fresh fallen by tomorrow at noon......
