I would like to make a couple of non-political points that Oregon and Millercarbon might find interesting.
The Chehalem Mountain - Bald Peak fire started a few feet behind my property. My wife and a neighbor called it in at the same time (Tuesday, 5:19pm). One of the first things that happens is the fire department cuts power to the area so they don't have to deal with live downed power lines. No power, no well, so no water. You cant fight the fire with anything in rural areas. So remaining makes little sense.
The wind was whipping and the smoke was like pea soup. We have taken care to keep vegetation and trees away from our home so flames were not the concern - one shift in the wind and you are a goner from smoke inhalation. That's why we left. I locked-up my expensive and beloved listening room and got outta there. Didn't grab anything. It didn't seem to make sense. I felt the gear was safest were it was. Anyway, we just got cleared to return home. All is well but still no power (or water) yet.
The Chehalem Mountain - Bald Peak fire started a few feet behind my property. My wife and a neighbor called it in at the same time (Tuesday, 5:19pm). One of the first things that happens is the fire department cuts power to the area so they don't have to deal with live downed power lines. No power, no well, so no water. You cant fight the fire with anything in rural areas. So remaining makes little sense.
The wind was whipping and the smoke was like pea soup. We have taken care to keep vegetation and trees away from our home so flames were not the concern - one shift in the wind and you are a goner from smoke inhalation. That's why we left. I locked-up my expensive and beloved listening room and got outta there. Didn't grab anything. It didn't seem to make sense. I felt the gear was safest were it was. Anyway, we just got cleared to return home. All is well but still no power (or water) yet.