Fire in Hometown Sparks Concern

Fire of any kind makes me somewhat uncomfortable. Wildfires down right frighten me.

Photo credit: Landon A Michaelson, Wenatchee

Born and raised in Wenatchee, Washington, one might think that I have become accoustomed to flames licking at the heels of my friends’ and neighbors’ properties. Typically the Valley experiences 20 wildfires per year. In the last 3 weeks alone Wenatchee has witnessed over 80 fires, including the actively burning Canyons Fire. Large fires that scorch countless acres of land sends me into a tailspin.

In 1992, when the Castlerock Fire ignited in grass and destroyed 34 homes on the western edge of Wenatchee, my home was a mere 1/2 mile away. When you are 8 years old it might as well be in the backyard. My family’s home was given a level 1 evacuation notice. At the time I had no idea that there were actually 3 levels (1, 2, & 3) of evacuation. Dumbfounded by the lack of urgency coming from my parents, I took it upon myself to prepare for the worst.

I pulled all of my clothes out the my tiny closet, took full drawers out of my dresser, and put my tabby cat in her carrier. In 4 trips I had successfully loaded the bed of my dad’s 1980 Chevy Luv with my possessions. Still no movement or instruction from my parents, I climbed on top of the roof dragging a green garden hose behind me. Smoke flooded my nostrils and tasted bitter on my tongue. I spent 20 minutes spraying down the roof  in case any stray embers were on a warpath to the only home I had ever known…

That is where my memory of that day ends. I know that our house was spared, but not all of my neighbors were so lucky. It makes me thankful for everyday I have a roof over my head, because it could always be worse.