Saturday, September 10

It’s a start…


Raindrops smatter the windshield

Today at about a quarter past five in the afternoon there was a terrific lightning flash really close, followed by a clap of thunder that made me jump, right after jumping because the lightning caused snaps on the ground as I walked along. I didn’t quite see what snapped, but I sure heard it. One lightning bolt, two jumps; that’s pretty good. So far it hadn’t rained even a drop. The National Weather Service is publishing Red Flag Warnings for lightning-caused wildfires here in the foothills.

Dang! That’s all we need! It has been very windy off and on, enough wind to have actually blown two socks off the clothesline! Then, finally, a smattering of rain. But nowhere near enough to suppress any wind-blown wildfire, that’s for sure.

Off in the distance to the south I can see dark bands of rain pouring out of the clouds, but it hasn’t gotten up here yet. I lived through the most destructive wildfire in history in this area in 1961, and I don’t want a repeat of that awful experience. The fire was clocked at between 45 and 60 miles per hour. There was no escape, 200 houses were lost and two people died. This area has grown up so much that now 2,000 houses would be lost if that fire came through.

Think rain. Lots of rain.

4 comments:

HHhorses said...

Rain Rain Rain!!! We've gotten our share, though there were a couple of lightning fires up on Ward Mountain two days ago.

Rain Rain Rain!!!

Susan Hurley-Luke said...

Yes! Bring on the Rain, Rain, Rain!

I remember those fires and the destruction caused up the Hill. Your treehouse was never seen again :( I still remember Gabby and the role he played, bless him.

I sure hope it rains for you all and fires like that never happen....take care, all of you.

Agneta and David said...

Here is wishing we could share! The rain that is, not the lightening bolts nor the thunder! Just a good soaking to wash everything off. So, take the socks off the clothes line will you....

Pat said...

Last week we had a thunderstorm, too, and only a so-called trace of rain. Our storm passed over about 4 in the morning. A white flash lit up the bedroom and immediately a BOOM!!! Thank goodness the old TV antenna had been taken down when we got the new roof last month. The Harlow fire sure was something.