A Wild Fire called Caribou is raging toward my home and community. It started Aug 12 with a lightening strike. Today it has burnt over 19,000 acres. Here is a piece of our story.
Pre Evacuation
My journal entry from Saturday, September 2, 2017:
“Last night while sitting in the wedding service for Janette and Titus, ash kept falling on us from the Caribou fire – the fire that started on Mt. Robinson the beginning of Aug. (Wedding was Northeast of Eureka) Then, while we were there, we got the notice of being under pre-evacuation. The wind, dryness, and hot days have grown the fire and it’s much closer. Yesterday Al found a big chunk from the fire that could have easily started another spot fire here on our place. So, feeling a bit overwhelmed. What to gather – pack, prepare – and where to go? It could be quite a while until the evacuation, or very soon. “
Now, today is Monday, September 4.
The days and moments have been a blur. I will try to piece some of it together.
Saturday morning – after sleeping later than usual, we started to gather things. First, I packed the vanity – personal items. And a change of clothes for everyone.
Next, it was clothes for 4-5 days for all of us. Paper work was the next thing.
Birth certificates
Titles
Bank books
Marriage certificate
Files
Moved on to blankets, jackets, coats.
Some special things.
Bibles,
Pictures
Wedding photos
Baby photos
A few keep sakes
A box of toys
All day we worked HARD.
And all the while your head is spinning with so many directions you should, or could, be going. Trying to explain to our children what is happening.
A Border patrol woman stopped by for head count and be sure we knew about the pre-evacuation orders. She marked our driveway with spray paint with a symbol.
Our souls counted for pre-evacuation
A couple times during the day we would go out to the end of our back driveway to watch the smoke billowing up over the ridge – ever-growing and getting angrier looking. The sky had a strange orange hue from the intense smoke and covered the brightness, even in the midday sun.
Smoke cloud
Ashes continued to rain down – the chunks getting larger as the day progressed.
We all drove up the road once to get a better view of the whole mountainside. The fire line was covered with lots of smoke.
But through most of the day when we were quiet and listened, we could hear a low, constant roar.
The nearness of the fire was getting more real all the time.
The fire is coming – an orange glow from the sunshine and smoke.
My Dad and Mom are here visiting and struggled all day to find someone with a 5th wheel to pull their RV camper out. A neighbor finally moved it up to our shop property, which was considerably safer from a fire. But we really wanted it out of the community. He was needed here, as a fire fighter.
We got some things loaded on our covered trailer.
The men were busy with fire preparations outside.
Running sprinklers
Filling barrels with water
Cleaning the gutter
Mowing the dry pasture grass
Moving burnables away from buildings.
Evacuation
By supper time we were all exhausted. We were so ready to sit a bit and refuel ourselves.
I had a pizza in the freezer that we pulled out and threw in the oven.
Just as I pulled it hot out of the oven we seen the flashing lights of the authority coming to give us evacuation orders.
Some of the children and I went out to meet him at the end of the driveway, knowing he would add to the paint mark at the end of the lane.
His eyes were weary.
He said we were under evacuation orders.
“How much time do we have?” I asked.
He said I want to see those kids loaded and pulling out.
We talked a bit more and he said I will give you a half hour. If you’d see what I’ve seen today, you’d understand.
We made the mistake of trying to stuff some pizza in – the children felt the pressure and had tummy aches.
We ended up getting the children strapped in their car seats and began to grab the loose piles around the house. Throwing some at the trailer, and some in the van. Got the cat in the van.
Mom had bought me fresh flowers and they were on our table. Walden said something several times about not forgetting the flowers. Then he said it again in the mad rush to get out. Realizing it was something that was highly important to him, I went back for the flowers. As a Mom, I just needed to quiet his heart with that one little thing.
Then a crushing hug and kiss goodbye from Al. Words of be careful, be safe. I love you.
Our neighbor, and local fireman called and told me he was waiting in the driveway and would not leave until the children were out.
We left.
In a hurry.
I looked back over my shoulder as we pulled out the lane and the orange glow and dark smoke cloud was even more ominous. It was past time to go.
Then my emotions began to hit in a whole new way.
Sobs and prayers for Al’s safety as I drove out of the Kootenai.
The children began to ask more questions and you try to explain the danger. Why we leave and Daddy doesn’t.
Amber said, “but I like our house, it’s just right for us.!”
“Yes, Honey, it is.” Hard to talk through the tears.
Another explanation of we, the people being more important than our house. And if we come back to our house all burnt up, then it’s OK, because we are all safe.
As we continue our way out – there is only one road in, and out- we see many firemen, policemen, border patrol and evacuees on the road. Amish leading live stock to large, green pastures. Tractors. People on foot.
We met more firefighters coming in. Water trucks, and bottled water for the workers.
I continue to have emotions roll thru me. Wilson (4) says: “Mommy, I hear you praying again!”
“Ya, Honey, Mommy’s praying. We just want Daddy and everyone safe.”
We drove to where we are staying – some very gracious friends on the other side of the lake, about 50 minutes from home.
The smoke had us all thirsty, so we all stopped for a drink at a gas station. Dad and Mom drove out right in front of us.
We got to our friends just soon after dark. Already feeling emotionally lost and drained. Our hosts welcome us and bless us so much by opening their hearts and home.
Somehow – God does amazing things – Our host and his neighbor got both of their trucks in the Kootenai after evacuation and got our Dad and Mom’s RV and our covered trailer. We have been so blessed by that. They really got out just in time.
Just as we were settling for the night, Al called. I wept again just to hear his voice.
Caribou Fire 2017. Taken from across the lake.
The first roar of fire had blazed through already. It was a wild fire. Intense and going fast, Leaping high into the air. Some spots of fire would jump a full ¾ mile ahead of the fire line, making it impossible to put men in front of it to fight it. The speed of this fire has not been seen for 36 years.
Al said when that fire came through his heart was pounding out of his chest, and he kept crying out to God, what do I do – it moved through so fast!
By the act of God it missed our home by about ¼ mile in that first wall of fire.
But 11 homes have been lost. People we know.
We sleep rather lightly.
Our cat’s cage was not tight enough, so it was out prowling about, so I got up and secured her again. Then you lay in bed and smell smoke and think. And think. You wonder what is happening. You lay awake.
Others holding us up in prayer means so much – I still struggle with gathering my thoughts enough to pray more than those intense crying out prayers.
Al calls again in the morning.
Sunday.
He is sitting on a neighbor’s roof. He can see fire a mile both directions from us – yet we are spared. And so many around us.
Al helps neighbors put out a spot fire. A helicopter comes and dumps water on it. That’s even a little closer to our home.
Displaced
On this side of the lake, we are now evacuees.
Taking care of the immediate needs of our families.
Trying to keep our family and friends informed and ask for more prayer.
We went to town for lunch and supper. Free to all evacuees. It’s therapy, to connect with others from the community, hear news and get updates.
Wind, dryness, and low humidity change fire conditions drastically.
I feel like my day goes by in a blur Just do what’s needed next. A knot in my stomach if you take the time to think.
Another night. Anxious to hear from Al again on Monday morning. He finally calls. Says it’s terrible smoky. But more still. He continues to keep things watered around our buildings.
I went to town to the Red Cross and was blessed with donations from the community. Snacks, drinks, cereal, toothbrushes….
Again. a place you connect with neighbors, friends, church people. You hear positive things. How people got out, others reaching out to bless those in need. And you hear danger, concerns, frustrations.
God again shows Himself faithful in all things.
~Sheila
Phil 4:19 God supplies ALL I need.
***We continue to hear more of the Lord’s protection and powerful hand in the lives of our neighbors and friends. The fire it’s self simply changed direction before blazing through the community. Our personal trailer, and Dad and Mom’s RV literally got out as that wall of fire came through behind our house. The community has reached out and provided home, food, needs in such caring ways. Love to see the hand of the Lord extended through people.
This is now a full story in a book! Here is the link to purchase it:
God in the Caribou Forest Fire
