Firestorm

 We were warned. First by the young people about climate change. Then, by our local weather service about extreme low humidity and high east winds that could allow dramatic fires to start and explode on our tinder dry state.

And that's what happened. Now western Oregon is on fire. We are currently not in the line of fire but we are definitely in smoke. Thousands have had to evacuate, thousands have lost their homes in California, Oregon and Washington.

Here was our first warning ten days ago on Friday, September 4:

"The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Monday morning through Wednesday evening.

* Winds...East 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 10 percent.

* Impacts...Conditions may be favorable for rapid fire spread which may threaten life and property. Use extra caution with potential ignition sources, especially in grassy areas. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTH OREGON COAST RANGE ... EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL OREGON COAST RANGE ... EXTREME SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES AND FOOTHILLS ... CENTRAL OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS ... EAST WILLAPA HILLS ... NORTH OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS

Instructions:

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings."

Then we got the Red Flag Warnings. The state erupted on Monday, Sept. 7.  I don't know what started all the fires but I know up the Santiam Canyon many power poles were downed by the gusty east winds and started fires. The winds picked up burning embers and blew them elsewhere to start more fires.

Our skies turned ominous...

September 8

 and then orange...

September 9

September 9

September 9

September 9

There was a happier spot of color. One of the orchids that our friends the Woodhouses had given us when they left Oregon two years ago opened the morning of September 9. I'm calling it a Fire Orchid. It's a beautiful, uplifting sight in the midst of worry...

As the days and the fires continued, the smoke lowered over our farm...

September 12

 Until the hills were barely visible... but at least the west breeze brought in some humidity to dampen the fires a little... The below haze is a mix of smoke and fog, but it smells like smoke.

September 14

Our smoke is nowhere near as bad as the smoke down in the valley in Salem or in the fire zones or in Portland. Ours is only unhealthy; theirs is hazardous.

Volunteers have turned out in droves to help evacuate people and animals, feed and house evacuees. I have offered pasture space to some but we are not in a terrifically safe place and there are many others, in safer locations, offering help so no one yet has taken me up on my offer.

Meanwhile we keep the swamp coolers filtering our inside air, minimize our time outdoors (or I do, Johnny has not been so good), keep in touch with friends, and watch the fire lines on the computer screen. I have never been so thankful for this computer.

All this, on top of Covid.

Stay safe, everyone!