I’ve been keeping an eye on the various wildfires around the drought-ridden state and throughout the American West. It’s terrifying that, this early in the season, the situation is already critical. So many lives and so many resources threatened and destroyed.
Homestead Cottages, the wonderful place west of Yosemite Valley where Molly and I stayed ten days ago, is now under an evacuation order as the flames of the River Fire approach. It started Sunday afternoon and, after a day and a half, is already approaching 10,000 acres.
The area features rolling, brittle-dry hills cut by steep canyons. When we were there it sure looked highly vulnerable to such a disaster.
Despite these environmental crises, I’m still planning on our Trinity Alps trip a week from today. Don’t worry, Small: once settled at the campsite I’ll be prepared to flee at a moment’s notice should I smell smoke or hear helicopters, abandoning all my nice new gear to the fates if need be.
I can’t imagine the losses that people are suffering. And as for those who risk their lives to battle the blazes, what would we do without their physical and mental strength? If things continue to get worse, will there be enough of these women and men to go around?
Already their numbers are dwindling.
https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/06/28/california-hotshot-firefighters-quitting-fire-season/
Yikes. So very sad. Keeping all fingers crossed.
Oh, man, Eleni: that article is profoundly disturbing: $13.50/hour starting pay for this incredibly difficult and dangerous work is outrageous, and terrifying to think we might not have enough human-power in the state to fight the fires.
Molly: Indeed, this is all incredibly sad.
toby is going back to the fires tomorrow after 3 day rest. the pay is horrible but he swears by the hotshots and wouldn’t work for any other agency. of course after so many years and being a captain now he gets a bit more pay but nothing compared to cal fire. but as he always tells me, there’s more to the job than just money.
Absolutely terrifying. And appaling that the “hotshots” are so seriously under=paid. Heroes, all!!
Marianna: Your Toby is amazing. Remember when he was little and he didn’t want to answer to any name other than “Robin Hood”? His goals remain as lofty today. I so admire and appreciate him. Truly, what would we do without him and his courageous colleagues?
Small: That salary IS appalling and downright wrong. It has to change.
ginna, toby even had a library card with robin hood. he and the library insisted.