What Does it Mean to be On Evacuation? Well, I Learned First Hand.

On Tuesday, everyone in my neighbourhood was evacuated due to a wild fire.

We’re not sure how it started but I was working Tuesday morning when I got a text from my friend

• Gina: “Is that fire near you?”
• Me: “Oh Oh. What fire?”
• Gina: “Maybe it’s not you.”
• Me: I run and look: “Oh my. It’s right across the street.”

Well, needless to say the day ended up in us getting a 15 minutes evacuation order. Believe me when I say that 15 minutes is not a long time.

I grabbed medications, a few changes of clothes, and a bottle of wine. I threw a few pictures in a bag but was of the mindset that if they were lost to fire enough people I know have so many of the same pix so I could replace them.

I think it’s also a bit of denial happening in the back of my mind. That sort of avoidance type thinking of saying to yourself….well, if I leave the pictures here the house will be fine because it has to be…simple as that. Does that even make sense? You see if I took them then there’d be no reason for the house not to burn…..ugh…twisted brain. whatever.

So we registered with the local authorities and then sought shelter with my cousin and her husband who live in a neighbouring community. It was crazy to watch the hillside burn through the night. The following day helicopters and bombers were on it big time.

It seems calmer now but lightening and winds are forecast for this afternoon–so we’re not completely out of the woods.

We’re all safe. Hope to go home soon.

The generosity of friends, family and community has been overwhelming and I must tell you how appreciated it all is. I’m only a text away.

The year of 2020 will not be forgotten but will go down as a constant reminder that we are not the ones in charge here and anything can–and will–happen at any time.

Thanks all.

I’d also like to add that there are wildfires all over the world. Check out my friends blog from California where the fires rage. Like she says: Is this this new normal?

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