I don’t expect anyone to read all this. It is just my peculiar way of thinking.
- If Voluntary Evacuation suddenly turns to Mandatory Evacuation, does this mean fire danger is imminent? I think it means that the officials want the roads clear of traffic and no people to worry about.
- If evacuation is mandatory, people are allowed to stay, but they are not allowed to return if they leave.
I wonder if there are exceptions, such as getting groceries, going to the dentist, checking on elderly parents, going to work… I’m thankful I get to work from home. - Why do the officials deem it necessary to bring in more crews when the terrain is too rugged for boots on the ground? Oh, it is to protect the town and the cabins on the Mineral King Road.
- If they are unable to contain a fire when it is only an acre or two, why do they believe they can contain it when it is hundreds of acres? Wouldn’t it be better to flood it with that pink stuff when it is small?
- I am sure that the people in charge know what they are doing. (Pippin knows what he is doing; isn’t it interesting how well he blends in with the weird light and dry grasses?)
- How can anyone know what he is doing when fires do what fires do, which is be unpredictable, go crazy and ruin stuff?
- But the people in charge know a lot about fire behaviors, patterns, how weather and terrain affects it, don’t they? (Did Pippin know what he was doing back when this photo was taken?)
- The people in charge are trained to talk in code to keep people from getting alarmed. (My dentist does the same thing – I got him to admit this to me when I called him on it.)
- Lower temperatures with increased humidity slows down fires. It also means a greater risk that pipes will freeze and burst in our cabins because Mineral King was closed before we had a chance to take care of some basics.
- Why doesn’t California do more active forest management? Think of the wasted potential lumber while we import overpriced lumber from distant locations! If logging, logging roads, and grazing were allowed (I don’t mean in the Parks, but in the Forests), there would be less fuels and there would be firebreaks. If mechanical thinning was done around settlements, they would have a greater chance of surviving. (Why aren’t they asking me how to run their business? And why has the term “forest management” become political? Good grief Charlie Brown)
- Why do we believe that Three Rivers won’t burn? The towns of Paradise and Greenville probably thought the same thing, and look how that turned out.
- In response to the previous question, Three Rivers doesn’t have those conifer trees, particularly standing dead ones, full of ptich, waiting to explode. Instead, we have buckeye trees, which don’t burn very well.
- The Park Superintendent said the #1 priority is people’s homes (maybe he said “the community”). Within the Park, the big trees are more important than the Park’s structures because the trees are several thousand years old while the Park structures will probably collapse in 30 years.
- Helicopters carry a water container beneath that looks about the size of a marble in comparison to the size of the fire. Is this truly effective or is it the equivalent of a mouse with a squirt gun? (Just learned that there is some sort of fire retardant added to the water).
- Maybe it is a good thing that a great number of houses in Three Rivers are vacation rentals; that means less people to evacuate. (Would you believe that Moro Rock and Alta Peak are usually visible from this location? No reason for anyone to visit Three Rivers right now.)
- When thinking about evacuating, there are 2 parts to consider: A. What do I need for a week or two? and B. What can I not stand to lose?
- So many people have offered to help with trucks, trailers, places to store things, and places to stay. We don’t plan on leaving but have made piles of things in case it all goes nutso.
The same view in better times.
11 Comments
I wish I could remember what I typed. Ha! Probably something like Thinking of you and my prayers are with you in protecting both of your “happy places.” I’m sure it was also expressing my appreciation for the beauty and fun that you share with us in your blog. I feel like I have a window to MK through you hiking up those trails and finding the best view. I was also able to visit this summer in June with my parents Bill &Kathryn Deisman, brother Jason &sons, plus lifelong friends from the Hill and Scott families. We re-created a small memory bubble of 1970s Silver City and Mineral King. (So wonderful and filled with laughter!)
Keeping a close eye on events from Bend, Oregon.
Hi Mari, thank you for giving this another try. I appreciate your comment and hearing about your time in all our happiest place.
Hello Jana & Mike,
Just want to let you know that I am praying for you-for your safety and protection of your properties in beautiful Three Rivers & magnificent Mineral King. I am also praying for all of the Residents & properties of the foothills & glorious Sierras. May God protect you all from the fires.
Diana Hoff Eaglin, RN
(Grateful Owner of an Oranges Painting and Old Friend of Mike’s)
Sierra Vista, AZ
Thank you, Diana. We appreciate your prayers so much.
Hi Jana,
I am a long time admirer of your work, but have never commented until now. (I’ve seen it in person at the Silver City Store.) My family has a long history in MK and Silver City. My grandparents, Everett and Bula McCallister owned what is now Mimi Gregg’s cabin in Silver City. My childhood vacations were spent in mountain nirvana, with 3 generations of family. Mimi very generously shares the cabin with us still – my brother Andy, my husband Tim, and I were there this year in mid July. It was the first time I’d ever seen the creek completely dry — just heartbreaking.
I live in Lincoln, Nebraska and have been in touch with Mimi and am following the fire as closely as possible. It’s so frustrating not to know what preparations are for protecting the cabins. Every time I see 0% containment, I want to scream.
I appreciate you sharing your daily thoughts and your beautiful art. Stay safe, and I hope to meet in person one day.
Marti (McCallister) McKee
Marti, how nice to hear from you! Mignon said the McCallister family used her cabin each summer, and I wondered who you all were. My husband and “Mac” (Kenny) are long time friends, and I have become friends with Joyce via the internet.
The fire crews are doing a great job of holding fire back from the Mineral King road (it is pretty far away from Silver City still) and Three Rivers. The weather is cooperating too.
Thank you for checking in – it is a treat to “meet” you!
1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
5. Maybe.
6. They don’t.
7. Sort of.
8. I believe it!
9. Bummer. I hope they allow authorized cabin owners to go up for 1 day to take care of that!
10. The Environmentalist Wackos lobby hard. National Park is better at it than National Forest.
11. Wishful thinking? Denial?
12. Good news!
13. Big Trees attract tourists (read: “tourist dollars”). Private cabins don’t.
14. Those buckets are bigger than they look from afar.
15. A sad view, indeed.
16. I would place B before A. You can always buy clothes. You can’t replace Pippin or Tucker. Or Trail Guy. Or you!
17. A sign of a great community! But remember, sometimes “nutso” can happen within minutes. Keep your evacuation list handy. And stay safe. We love you!
Sharon, you are a very fine friend.
As are you!
??
Hi Mari,
I think you wanted to say something but tech didn’t cooperate. Welcome, and come back any time!
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