Perspective: Elk Fire October 3, 2024

10/3/24: Perspective. [Note, this was written 10/3/2024]

The Elk Fire is still burning near Dayton along the face and over the top and in the canyons and ridges half way to Wyola. It will likely continue on the mountain until we get a lot of snow, possibly weeks or even months. It was 37,488 acres last night (it was actually 45,000 when I wrote this). Friends from over the mountain can see the glow, and a friend in Billings, MT (100 miles away) could see the flames.

Without all the air and ground crews working on this, it would be much larger and more devastating. It’s only by the Father’s watchcare and provision over those fighting the blazes that so far there’ve been no major structural losses or human casualties, praise the Lord.

Disasters happen, and this community is pulling together and watching out for each other. My heart’s warmed by all the messages and offers of trucks and trailers and places to stay that we’ve received, and all the offers people make on fb to bring food and house people, pets and livestock. 

We’ve been on a “get ready for possible evacuation” status in Dayton since mid day 10/2; other places outside Dayton, the canyons and Pass Creek have had “Go” orders, but we haven’t. Several have been permitted to go back home. I don’t feel scared or threatened by the flames where they are now. This can change; it could roar down the canyon as it did 20+ years ago and make me regret not packing up our sentimental keepsakes, but as with that time, when you’re actually looking at flames coming your way, the material no longer matters. I see this attitude in several friends with similar mindsets: there’s a peace that passes understanding about this, a blessed assurance that no matter what happens, as long as we save our living, breathing family members

, we’ll be ok, “Even If” all we own is destroyed. My heart hurts for people who don’t have that peace.

The Sheeley Sign, 9/30

I guess it’s our varying definitions of “worst.” To some, sentimentality for this seemingly permanent, beautiful landscape of ours has them broken-hearted over the loss of these trees. Some people are genuinely terrified it will come get them or us at any minute, and others unfortunately just want to perpetuate the drama. I’m afraid my grainy, glaring photo of the Sheeley sign early Monday morning, backlit with flames contributed to the fear. At the time it WAS scary! I asked for prayers, and God’s been answering prayers in amazing ways! If you can’t see that, you haven’t looked around or thought about it. Photos like the sign with flames keep getting shared on social media, while my “thanks for praying” pic of the sign with a smoky background didn’t. We’re a dramatic bunch.

Sheeley Sign, 10/1

The fire’s blessedly gone around many structures so far! When we were helping friends evacuate Pass Creek Sunday afternoon and evening, I didn’t think there was a chance of firefighters saving the old Butler place (old cabins with shake roofs!), or Sara’s or Aaron’s, and as far as I know they’re all still there! Flames came within five feet of a house at Kerns’!

Helping friends evacuate neighbors, 9/29

The Yonkee barn, Pass Creek, 9/29

If you look at Thomas Lansing’s video of the burned X-X Hill I shared on Facebook, you wouldn’t know that Mark’s [on the old Holly place, where -fun fact- my grandma’s childhood friend lived in the 30’s; my grandma lived over the far hill on the 66. They rode horses to Slack school] and Shonenbach’s houses are safe in all the burned blackness! Praise the Lord!

We still require your prayers, please keep praying for everyone involved in this fire, pray for wisdom and safety for the people, the wildlife and livestock (some cows are stuck on the mountain and ranchers are working to push the cows back to safe areas. The cows want to head home through canyons that are burning or will burn) and homes and livelihoods at risk. Pray for the planes and helicopters to continue operating and dropping slurry and water safely. Please also thank the Lord for His great provision here. We’ve seen so much goodness and blessing.

Terry texted me yesterday: “The place we get our Christmas trees is gone.” Little things like that is all we’ve lost so far. Think about this:

We might bemoan the loss of a view or a place we have memories, but those east of us in WY and MT a month ago lost their livelihoods: their cattle, their machinery, fences and structures. Jan and Alan Lloyd also lost their family history and historical homestead. And people in the southeast are dealing with much more devastation and serious, tremendous loss of life and property and infrastructure.

There will be green grass on our mountain in six months, and new trees will be growing on the mountain long before they’ve recovered from Helene.

After our little flood of 2019, I’d rather deal with fire than water any day! Pray for the people suffering from the aftermath of Helene, (and Milton) and those suffering from war, crime, corruption, abuse, drug cartels, human trafficking, addictions, poverty, sickness and disease, or apathy.

[This was written on 10/3/2024. Today, while we are still on "ready" evacuation status, the Elk Fire is burning primarily to the south of us, near Big Horn, WY. Our mountains are still blue in the fall light, though most of the trees are smoldering and charred. The fire is currently 91,000 acres 10/15/2024]

These photos were taken looking at our back yard from the deck on 10/5/2024. The top was at 2am, the middle at 4am and the bottom at 7am. What a difference a few hours makes!