Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Wednesday Vignette: Time to bring down the curtain on 2020

I'd like to be done with 2020.  Each day seem to bring something new to worry about.  Yesterday morning, during the exceptionally dry period that appears neverending, I smelled smoke while in the garden and looked up to see this:

This wasn't exactly next door but it was too close for comfort

Luckily, 60 firefighters descended on the blaze, which turned out to be a brush fire in a canyon area.  The area was reportedly difficult to access but they managed to extinguish it in less than an hour even so.  Meanwhile, I'm beginning to think I need to find myself a bunker somewhere.

For more Wednesday Vignettes, visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.


All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

26 comments:

  1. Scary.
    I'm sure you have an evacuation plan set in place, and so good you didn't need to use it. Firefighters are the braves people. Ever.

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    1. We live in what's designated a high fire risk environment and due to that and the earthquake risk, we have bug-out bags packed in the hall closet, always ready. I even have a bag for Pipig, my cat, sitting in the closet with her carrier.

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  2. Yes, 2020 has definitely tested our resilience. As of Sunday we are on lockdown again due to continued alarming increases in new Covid cases. Am trying to get motivated about Christmas decorations when no one will be coming by. Hence most are out front of windows so we at least can see them. Will all be over soon and hopefully 2021 will bring better times.

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    1. We're on lockdown again here too and, other than weekly grocery shopping, we're staying home. We picked up a Christmas tree just before our stay-at-home order took effect but I'm having difficulty working up the interest in decorating it.

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  3. That's scary, so glad it was quickly resolved. Personally I'm not so much looking forward to the New Year as I am January 20th.

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    1. I see the next hurdle as December 14th when the electoral college votes but, yes, January 20th is the REALLY important date. I'm trying to keep my expectations in perspective as there will be plenty of challenges to meet in 2021 too.

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  4. All our first responders need a huge thank you from EVERYONE. They do a magnificent job at risk to their own lives.

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  5. Kudos to the fire fighters - they were on it! I'm with Danger Garden - January 20 can't come fast enough. Hang in there Kris.

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    1. I think the roller coaster ride is likely to continue well into 2021, Barbara, but at least we'll have people in charge who actually respect science and the law.

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  6. Wow, definitely close... relieved to read that it was quickly dealt with. Take care, Kris.

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    1. As this is a high fire risk area, I always freak out a bit when I see smoke, Eliza. It's hard to judge how close a fire like that actually is as the terrain is hilly and canyons are everywhere. Based on the fire department's report, that fire was about 2.5 miles away.

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  7. What a frightening sight to see from your garden. Way too close for comfort.

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    1. Seeing flames shooting up into the air is even worse! A fire like that broke out late at night during our first lockdown as I recall - and my husband was ill in bed. I yanked out our telescope and spent 20+ minutes just trying to figure out where exactly the fire was so I could call it in. By the time I got it in the telescope's sight, fortunately I could already see firefighters on the scene. When the fire's in a brush area within a canyon like yesterday's event, even the telescope doesn't help much.

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  8. Oh dear. It does seem like it's one thing after another, doesn't it? I'm glad they got it under control quickly!

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    1. They did act quickly! That's the advantage of not having a lot of other fires that need attention at the same time. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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  9. I hate to see the smoke but what a view! Yeah, 2020 has not been a good year.

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    1. Well, even without smoke, our view is on the smoggy end of the spectrum most days.

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  10. Oh god, that IS too close for comfort... So glad they managed to put it out. If there is anything to celebrate this year, it's the heroic efforts of firefighters, health care workers, and all other tireless frontline workers who keep us safe. They are, and have been, nothing short of fantastic!

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  11. I’m glad firefighters were able to put the fire out quickly. Fire is such a terrifying thing.

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    1. Yes, fire is a bigger worry in my view than earthquakes, especially as people here are so crazy about fireworks (which are illegal except for general public displays controlled by fire department personnel).

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  12. We have a Juliet team of women firefighters. They are currently training a new set. So much respect for them and medical staff this year.

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    1. You don't see many female fire fighters here. An all-female force would be great!

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  13. Yikes. Glad they knocked it down quick. I hope the smoke cleared up fast

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    1. The wind did push the smoke away as soon as the fire was out so I guess that was lucky!

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