El Portal Fire

A fire is not a hurricane.  Some hurricanes stew in the Gulf of Mexico for a week or so until they decide to make landfall.  There are predictions that can pinpoint fairly closely when and where and how a hurricane will behave.  A fire is not a hurricane.

An out of control forest fire is a very scary thing.

On Saturday, July 26th, I was driving from the Valley back to the office after a day of data collection.  There was a small plume of white smoke that seemed to me rather close to the post office.  This was about 3:30.  When I drove home from work a half hour later, this is what I saw.

The red circle is around my house.   I've never dealt with fire this close.  I was scared.  

My roommates didn't help the situation and emotions were running high.  The fire was about four miles from where I live and the wind was blowing it my direction.  I panicked, I freaked out, I tried not to cry.  I packed what I could into my car and left.  Thankfully, I have a friend who lives down the canyon where I could stay.

Below is the picture I took as I was leaving.  You can see the orange tint in the smoke from the flames.

Walking into my room and taking a fast inventory, it made me realize what is important and what isn't.  What is stuff and what is memories.  What is replaceable and what was made by hand with love.  Really makes you think.

All is well now and I am safe and sound and back home.