Sept. 23, 2020
Liz Writes Life
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To all the firefighters, organizers, support people and air pilots for working so hard on these fires. On Sept. 15, 2020, the Fox Fire ignited and began heading down the South Fork of the Scott River canyon towards Callahan. That night, evacuation warnings and orders went into effect. Lots of family and friends headed to Callahan with pickups and trailers to get important household items moved -- one friend even stopped at my place to check on me. Thank you!
I was just out of the evacuation warning by about a half mile. But, when recalling the quick fire destruction in Happy Camp and in Southern Oregon, on Sept. 8, 2020, I decided to load-up the "most important" of my stuff and take it into a friend's place in Etna. Then, I came home and realized other stuff that should be saved as well -- if I had the time. The next day, I bagged and loaded-up more and then waited and prayed. By Friday, the fire managers and firefighters had been able to do a major stop on this eastern side of the Fox Fire. Whew!!!
But, while writing my column on Monday morning, I could see out my window, a lot of Cal-Fire and USFS fire engines, crew trucks, support vehicles and a dozer going by on Hwy 3. I texted my Dist. 5 Siskiyou Co. Supervisor, Ray Haupt, and he replied the resources were expected to complete the containment of the Fox Fire up Cecilville Rd. Yay! They were hitting it hard, for sure.
When talking with Ray, last week, he was pleased and confident in local individuals who were in Cal-Fire and USFS leadership positions on the fires. He said the Klamath River Hot Shots had been sent to the Fox Fire and they were excellent firefighters. Because of his decades of working for the USFS, including serving as ranger on Scott River, Oak Knoll and Salmon River Districts, Ray attends incident command fire meetings every day, when there are fires in Siskiyou Co. So, Ray is my go-to, when I need information.
Last week, in my column, I suggested everyone should write down a plan for sheltering in place and a plan for evacuation, including the most important items to take, if you have the time. I did have the time to decide and it was still overwhelming. I cannot imagine the threat of fire so imminent that there is no time to gather important items. Yes, I am writing my list and making better plans.
With much sadness, my heart goes out to those who have lost their homes from these fires. Such tragedy! I know Red Cross and non-profit groups are trying to help. We all want to help, just be careful how you donate, especially money. Make sure it is with Red Cross or a legitimate group.
After telling you this, I will share my story. Surprisingly, I had just washed a dozen small blankets that a friend left behind when she moved this summer; so I decided to take them to a local church leader, who was gathering items for the Happy Camp refugees. I asked if she would be purchasing personal hygiene items. She said yes, so I handed her all the cash that was in my pocket. I was flush – it was about $25. I know and trusted this lady. But, we do need to be careful – even when our empathy gets the better of us.
Meeting with Trump
Last week, Supervisor Haupt was invited to talk with President Donald Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom about the devastation from the Slater Fire to Happy Camp and share actions that would greatly reduce forest and brush density. This was a huge shot-in-the-arm for Siskiyou Co. to be recognized and given a voice regarding the need to thin-out the national forests.
After the meeting on Sept. 14, 2020, Ray was also in attendance as Pres. Trump pinned the Distinguished Flying Cross military decoration on seven CA. Army National Guard members for their heroism in saving 242 people on the night of Sept. 5, 2020 as they flew two helicopters over massive wildfire flames and heavy smoke for the evacuation of stranded families. Thank you to all heroes -- known and unknown!
Happy Camp
Our elected and government officials are working hard to get Emergency Declarations and plans in place to aid Happy Camp and its residents, where 158 homes burned and two individuals died on Sept. 8, 2020. Last Saturday, Supervisor Ray Haupt, Siskiyou Co. Office of Emergency Services Director, Jason Vela, and Siskiyou Co. CAO, Angela Davis, escorted CA. Dist. 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa, and CA. State Senator Brian Dahle and CA. Assemblywoman Megan Dahle to Happy Camp. They witnessed the blackened incineration and talked with residents, business people, incident command folks and firefighters.
LaMalfa and the Dahles have been actively visiting the communities affected by fires in their districts. Their concern is real, needed and appreciated.
In a recent discussion with Pres. Trump, LaMalfa said he “encouraged the President to push the Forest Service to massively increase the pace and scale of forest management across the West. Decades of mismanagement in our federal forests is the largest contributing factor to the destruction we have seen in recent years.”
Yep, that is the truth. Thank you to LaMalfa and to Ray Haupt for personally sharing this fact with President Trump.
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
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