My neighbor and I had a discussion. And we agree. (Two stubborn old farts. If we agree on something LOOK OUT!)
The only indications we have had all day since 7am, is that the fire has stayed just northeast of Baring, Wa. That's maybe 3 to 4 miles from where I am, as the crow flies.
It has gotten really dark a couple of times. Like near nightime dark, at one point. And at that point there was a literal heavy rainstorm of burned pine needles falling. But after about noon, it got lighter and stayed that way.
The maps have never shown anything closer than this.
He is in direct contact with the fire and emergency people. He can call and talk to them, etc. has one of their trucks. And he gave me a way to listen to them.
A couple hours ago, all of us residents got three very scary messages from emergency services. Culminating in one that literally said get out right now, while you still can! (You are about to die, if you don't.)
My immediate thought was to remember "2 weeks to flatten the curve", and everything that followed. And I had to wonder if this was just some bureaucrat who found his 15 minutes of fame, and an excuse for his salary...
Within 90 seconds of that message going out to every phone in the COUNTY!!!! The real boots on the ground emergency people were
on their radios saying it wasn't right, that that message was sent out. Now all the roads are going to be blocked by people panicking and trying to get out while they still could. For no good reason.
That's exactly what happened. Me and my neighbor have stayed put. But the highway, about a half mile away was and still is, completely clogged.
Less than ten minutes later, the same emergency broadcast was sent out to the county saying disregard the previous warning. It was only meant for people in my area. (Too late. Everyone had already reacted and gotten out without hesitation or packing.)
My reaction: Yeah, right. Bite me. The fire hasn't moved, according to your own people. How am I in some kind of instant mortal danger right now, when I haven't been for the past hours, and the fire hasn't moved?
So, we have stayed.
Yes, I am all packed up, and ready to leave on a moment's notice. I'll even sleep in my clothes tonight, to be ready. But it's going to take more than a fear mongering government agency broadcast to convince me that the facts are worse than what their own, boots on the ground firefighting employees are saying they are.
And now, they have been using helicopters to come get water from the river near me, (Actually a big lake of water below the biggest waterfall in this area.), to drop on the fire. And there are reports that exactly what I suspected, is the case. The warning/evacuation level has already gone down.
This is not to say that it can't go back up, once it is too dark for them to use the helicopters, (and it pretty much is that, right now.). (Ok, I thought it was too dark. They just came over again, just before I was about to hit the post button.) But I think I made the right decision, and will be fine.
If I have to evacuate, I'll bring my laptop with me. So I'll log in and let you know. But I really think it's going to be fine.
Thank you for your prayers. I think that right there makes the biggest difference in the world!
Now I think I might have some ice cream as a victory toast!
