High Park Fire: 85% contained, and people are being allowed back in. Even those who are able to access their homes again were, until moments ago, still on pre-evacuation alert, with the potential for fire growth still extreme and terrain still, of course, difficult.
From Inciweb, "Incident meteorologist Mike Chamberlain said, 'I haven't been on many fires with Red Flag and flash flood warnings simultaneously.' " Fortunately, just a little rain fell: "Radar indicated strong rains Wednesday about 4:30 pm, but rain reaching the fire varied from .15" to only .01". Without flooding, the spatters of rain dampened the ash and soil enough to make mop-up easier Thursday. Some roads were muddy overnight."
And as I prepare to post this, the pre-evacuation status for returnees has been lifted. (Those fully evacuated are still evacuated.) The fire is still burning, but the crews expect it will not make more dramatic runs into new territory. Quoting today's report on Inciweb, "Some days the High Park fire did not move at all. Other days, it grew ferociously, running seven miles in five hours June 22, and nine miles in one day back on June 11. The lesson is that in this season of historic drought, dry windy weather can conspire to make for sudden and unpredictable fire growth. Local fire stations have re-staffed to support emergency response within their districts."
That means that conditions in the vicinity of the High Park Fire are approximating what will be the new "normal." It's quite different from the old one, especially for those whose homes and belongings are gone.
_____________
The greenery and water in Seattle have been a reminder to me of how much our perception of reality can shift, depending on our perspective, and may provide some long-distance comfort back home, too. As I post this, I'm on the way there again, having completed the tasks of this trip, along with yesterday's very pleasant bike ride.
Continuing the clips from that ride along the Burke Gilman Trail (part 1 is here), I offer more flowers:
And more water and boats. I like water and boats on normal days, but with the fire at home they are even better to look at.
Not only big boats but little boats, too. I saw kayaks, canoes, and a single-person rowing scull.
Some parts of the trail are wild-feeling, while others are extensively tended.
I loved the diversity of passageways.
Sailboat out there, too!
I went under the University Bridge, the I-5 bridge, the Aurora Bridge, and the Fremont Bridge. This is the Aurora bridge, which is apparently officially called the George Washington Memorial Bridge, although I've never heard it called that. To the left, those are houseboats.
Some of the goslings I saw looked like teenagers (one of those is on the right), while others were still quite a bit smaller. The adults were vigilant (yes, there were four) while the little ones focused on learning to eat that green stuff.
West of the Aurora bridge is this statue of Sri Chinmoy.
This plaque is on the statue's base.
The Fremont Bridge, with attached TARDIS. . . .
Built, if my Roman numeral reading ability is still with me, in 1916.
On the west side of the Fremont Bridge, the trail goes between the Ship Canal and a bunch of corporate offices. Offices of BIG corporations.
And here's the trail heading toward Ballard. I needed to quit taking photos because I had to pay more attention to where I was going.
I've been knitting, too. I have some pictures. But mostly I've been knitting just to stay grounded. Actually, I've got a lot more news. I need to get it written up!
Comments