The fire started on Thursday afternoon. It was started by people target shooting right up the hill from our house. I run on the trail where they shoot. I heard sirens at about 11. I didn't even go outside until later Thursday. After I saw how huge it was I thought I should maybe get some things together. I didn't do it.
There was fire fighters, then the helicopters came, then more helicopters, then the airplane. Then it was crazy.
We still figured Friday morning we were fine. Daddy was home so we took the kids to Seven Peaks. As we were about to go through the gate. We got the text to evacuate. The wind had changed and the fire was huge. We left not knowing what to do. We had no clothes. We didn't get our ir-replaceable things from our house. Our doggy was still in the house. We called neighbors to break in and get him out. He was all good. The kids were very worried about him. The flames were less than a mile from our home. Smoke was very thick and black. We were not allowed in our neighborhood.
We had our family together so that's all that mattered. I was very sad about things that are not replaceable. The kids scrap books. Everything on our computer. Journals from my hubby's father. The list got longer as I thought of all the things that could be gone.
We had many friends and family call to offer help. We hung around for a while. Went to buy a few things to wear. We were glued to the TV for hours. Wondering if our house would burn. We were more worried about our friends and neighbors who lived higher up the hill. The fire was less than 1/4 mile from the homes. Fire fighters and police were lined up in their back yards ready to fight. The wind was so strong, blowing right to the homes.
After a few hours we drove back towards our neighborhood. We thought we could try one more time before going to buy clothes. The main road was blocked. Some police felt sorry for us and gave us five minutes to run to our house. The kids ran in and got clothes. I grabbed my medicine, scrap books, journals. Hubby grabbed the computers, guns, ammo, propane, and turned off the gas.
That was the scariest thing ever. We all had headaches from the smoke. The smell was so strong. Black ashes were falling. It was so hard to drive away from our life. Not knowing what would happen at night.
We stayed with family. Glued to the TV all night. The news is so lame. They don't give us anything new. We kept track of our neighborhood on our Facebook page. A few men stayed behind and took shifts patrolling the homes. That was so nice. We were afraid of looters.
I was in shock I think. So many people were crying and freaking out. I was freaking out but I never cried. I started crying when I saw all of the people and food and donations at the high school. It made me feel so loved even though we didn't need to go there. People are good and they care!
We woke up. The sky had cleared. It seamed like a perfect normal day. We went and got some food then headed back to go home. There was no info on the news. We figured that there was no smoke above our house and everything had already burned so we could go home. There were police at the entrance. Not letting anyone in. We went to the park for a while. Then everyone needed to go potty. We tried again to get up the hill. We finally told them we needed the potty and we were going. They gave us 5 minutes again. We didn't leave.
We cleaned up the house. There was a layer of ash dust on everything. The house smelled a little. The garage really smells. The 2 day old dishes are done. We feel like we need to hide out since we are not supposed to be here yet. I think we can make the judgement on the safety of our family. I feel bad for the people still waiting at the school.
What a huge wake up call! I need to listen when I am prompted the day before something bad happens. I will get our 72 hours kits put ALL the way together. I will be able to grab things faster when I know exactly where they are. I need to remember to grab birth certificates next time.
I know the most important thing is to have our family together and safe. Nothing else really matters. We will be protected and taken care of no matter what.
Thanks you to the fire fighters and police. To the men who kept our homes safe all night. To everyone who was worried about us. Everyone who prayed and offered help. We are so blessed.
Now go get prepared all the way!
