FIRES, SMOKE AND BEING GRATEFUL

Many of you have been e-mailing me or posting on Facebook, concerned about many here in the Wenatchee Valley as we fight the lightning-caused fires in the western foothills. Some of you may know that Wenatchee and surrounding areas, including Cashmere, have homes built right  into the canyons that come down towards the river - these are the places that are most threatened by the flames and winds that chase the sparks into the tinder-dry sagebrush of the shrub steppe so characteristic of this region. Most of us living here are safely away from any threat of damage or injury, other than extremely hazardous air quality, and so far, fire crews have managed to prevent any significant structural loss or physical injury.  Our hearts go out to many of our friends, family and neighbors who have been forced or urged to evacuate, and we are very grateful to the hard-working and committed fire crews from around here and across the state to help keep us safe.

 Fires getting closer to town this morning, September 11, 2012

As I look out on my garden, I can see that the babies are getting dusted just a bit by ash and debris from the sky. However, I realize how lucky I am to be well out of range of the inferno that I can safely watch and photograph from a distance, and I count my blessings. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and good energy that you have sent to the people of this beautiful valley.