Monday, July 21, 2014

Out of the jaws

Sharkey's at Ocean Shores

The fires are still burning in central Washington.  As of yesterday, the Carlton Complex fire was zero percent contained.  Hopefully that changes soon, but the fire has already scorched about 470 square miles with over 100 homes lost and untold damage to ranch land and wildlife habitat.

Through this entire disaster, accurate information has been hard to come by on both sides of the mountains. Today the weather seems more favorable for firefighting and the winds have died down.  Some rain is even predicted for mid-week, which unfortunately might bring more lightening strikes. But firefighters have shifted their attention from defending structures to suppressing the blaze, which is good news overall.

Since the main power lines were destroyed to the Methow Valley, they will be without electricity for "several weeks."  Inconvenience aside, this will have a big economic impact, with tourists unable to visit or locals get back to work and normal life.

The air quality is very bad, and Amanda said, there "isn't any reason to be here right now." So they packed up and traveled over the North Cascades last night with their tent camper.  They're staying up on Camano Island, where the weather this morning is chilly, grey and damp.  It must feel like waking up in a different world.

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