The raging fires in Oregon (basically the entire state), California (I can't believe there is anything left to burn!), Washington State (again?!?), and here in Idaho have created such disaster, heartache, and destruction that it honestly took the wind out of my blogging sails.
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| Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport Oregon |
Then the smoke came. I don't mean the typical 'here for a day and gone tomorrow' type we usually experience each year that may occasionally hit the 'unhealthy' or 'hazardous' categories for a half day or so.
I am referring to the smoke that crept across the sky with it's thick viscous malevolence. The particulates consisting of not only vegetation smoke but many homes, cars, businesses, etc.
Wildfire smoke is often described as smelling like a giant campfire. Our brains recognize it and while devastating feels a bit familiar. This smoke was another thing entirely.
It has a frightening, poisonous, acrid smell. It's a chemical-ish stink and there is nothing like it. It's the kind of smoke that makes you feel like you are suffocating if you are directly exposed for more than a minute or two.
As I looked my sliding glass window that day I saw the strange filtered orange sunlight with tiny specks of ash falling. Sepia would be a more accurate description of the color. I had a thin layer of it on my car more than once.
It got so bad that we had to literally stay indoors. We ended up having to hang a blanket over the front door to seal it and another one as a door stopper. We pulled out both of my ion air purifiers and turned up our Himalyan salt lamps. I went and bought high quality furnace filters but it was too dangerous to use the furnace as I don't have a 'recirculate' function.
We were getting a bit stir crazy and I have to tell you 2020 has become the year of living Jumanji.
We finally had to be brave and venture out for needed items and I broke into my wildfire kit (I have different kits for different scenarios) and pulled out the N95s.
Now before you say "but those are for medical personnel" I will tell you I put my kit together several years ago and always have several packages of N95s just for this particular reason. Having asthma sucks. It sucks worse in smoky conditions.
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| Yours truly |
At times I felt guilty because what we suffered here was NOTHING compared to what people experienced (and are still experiencing) in many areas. Sometimes it's hard to keep perspective.
There were promises from the weather forecasters that the end was coming. Rain was promised. Then the air quality alerts were extended by two days. The only positive was that the air quality numbers were ever so slowly improving.
Facebook was filled with comments of "I've never been so excited to be very unhealthy" and " I can't wait to be unhealthy."
Even as the numbers improved it was a bit confusing as the thickness of the smoke got worse and settled in to the point once again that we couldn't see the local mountains. There were a few differences though.
The smoke wasn't the yellowish, diffusion that had been the previous week's mess. This was more of the white smoke that it still crappy but resembles more of a winter inversion type of smoke. It was confusing until I realized that it didn't smell as bad. (but still made me cough a lot).
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| Neon pink sun through the smoke. |
The first night of predicted rain didn't fall. It was more a few drops here and there scattered over the area. The wind had started to move the atmosphere a tiny bit. We did, in fact improve to unhealthy, and people started to emerge into society a bit.
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| I miss the mountains |
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| Still can't see the mountains |
I dutifully took part in washing my car yesterday afternoon to help increase the chances of rain. As night fell I kept looking out my front door to see if the rain had come. I stuck my head out for one last time before bed and the sidewalk was wet!
Yes, my friends, it had indeed rained!
I got the dog leashes and took the canines for a quick walk to their favorite tree and they were as excited as I was to be out. The air smelled wonderful! I went to bed happy and filled with relief that things were well on their way to better.
I woke up this morning and it's a beautiful early fall day! The air quality is good, there is no haze, and we have partly cloudy skies. Where the sky is peeking through it's that beautiful pale blue that is prominent in September. I have several windows open and I'm so grateful to be getting the gross smell out of my house.
It will probably take me a couple of days to get the junk out of my lungs but I'm breathing deeper and am more grateful with each breath of that fresh clean air!
I would be easy for us to just move on and go forward but I would ask you to remember all who are still battling these epic fires. Headway is being made but they are far from over.
Many people also don't realize that fire season runs through mid October where I live and we have a ways to go before we are at lower risk. My prayer is that this is the worst of it and things settle down.
Please keep the fire crews and first responders in your thoughts. Some have lost everything yet keep their focus trying to save others from the same fate.
I'm grateful for their service.
As I look out my window I am so glad to say that...I can see clearly now.
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Until next time,
-R
PS no countdown reminders today. Just didn't feel right.
For a bit of the perspective I mentioned, here is the list of large fires burining in ID, WA, CA, and OR.
