My wife, daughter, and I went down to Talent for the first time this afternoon and then I came back to see this article in the NY Times. It's disorienting to go through a place you used to know that is no longer there. In 1989 we lived through the Huntsville, Al November tornado that destroyed a major commercial plaza. That was the same feeling. But here it isn't just a couple of streets, it's half the town. And two thirds of another.
What a country. What a year.
Devastating article, Joe. Do you know the status of your house/neighborhood?
Yes Rad, thanks for asking. We got back in our house last night as a matter of fact. All is well here. The fire came up to our access road and no closer. We are one mile east of Talent and 4-5 south of Phoenix. Several friends have lost everything and we are helping as we can. My workplace in Talent is still closed but they are getting things inspected and turned back on this week.
The county has counted over 2600 residences gone. As the article states, a lot of these are low income / retirees in mobile home parks and apartments. The mayors are pledging to rebuild these places the same but owners / landlords have been silent so far. We'll see.
The homestead my grandfather bought in the 40s is safe. My folks very nearly reached evac level but they're safe now. The fire never really got that close but people we're being kicked out just up the road.
Generally the first rain after summer bums me out: portends six months of gray. But goddam, need it asap. Hopefully tonight. Been living the cabin fever mega-Fauci life trying to keep the poison air out of our lungs and out of the house. ...others are suffering far more, I should probably note.
Half hour flyover showing the whole path of the fire. Crazy how capricious it was in some neighborhoods.
FWIW, at 16:24, my house can be seen at the very top in the center.
Wow that got close. I also don't know squat about wildfires. In my mind's eye, I always imagine trees burning, like a forest fire. Or at least trees being the primary way that the fire spreads. But in this video there were a ton of trees that were OK right next to the charred remains of houses. Weird to see.
The big black fields that burned - did those used to be trees, or was it just a field of grass or something that burned? They looked like open fields that burned. I can imagine a big field of like dried out grass would burn really fast.
Yes, black fields were dry grass and brush. The valley is full of that this time of year. From July through October/November if it isn't irrigated, it's brown and dry. This year in particular. There hasn't been rain or, really any cloud cover, since early June.
God damn it was 115 yesterday, 110 today. Every plant and tree around the house is wilting. And now the wind is blowing like it did before last September's fire. I am on pins and needles. Putting on my shoes and keeping my travel bag close.
