What they say about not ever knowing what the next day – or moment – may bring is absolutely true.

http://lanimuelrath.com/life-as-a-refugee-from-the-paradise-camp-fire/

Just about one week ago, my husband Greg and I stepped out on our usual morning walk to Paradise Lake, about a fifteen minute stroll behind our property.  It was about 6:30 a.m.  We could see a huge billow of black clouds several miles to the east, with the sun peeking out from its edges.  I gasped, knowing from previous experience that this is what wildfire clouds can look like.  Greg thought maybe rain – because to be honest, the rest of the sky was an immaculate blue and there wasn’t a whiff of smoke in the air.

As we made our way through the California Conservation Corps Fire Center near the lake, we asked about it and were told yes, it was a fire started in Pulga to the east by power lines.  The wind was kicking up, and we went home to stay on alert.

A couple of hours later, the power went out. The electric company had notified us previously that in fire danger conditions, they may well preemptively stop power for community safety. Still, clear blue skies prevailed, so we went about our day.  With no access to internet or TV, were moved through the day oblivious to the conflagration that was taking place in the town of Paradise several miles to our south.  Cell service stopped, so no access to details that way, either...

Late afternoon, we decided to take a reconnaissance drive south.  It was four miles down the road that we encountered the fire having burned southwest.  Still no smell of smoke.  And skies in Magalia clear. The car radio was on, but there was no word of evacuations, just talks of warnings to be ready in the event the fire traveled north.  
We turned back to home, and fired up our car engine with plugin adapter so that we could catch news on TV.  With evacuations to the south, and the warning to ‘be ready’, we packed two cars with clothing, some valuables and important papers, ready to go should hard news hit.

Evacuation Alert?

We never did get the ‘mandatory evacuation’ for our zone, and with no smoke in the air, we turned in late to get some rest.  I couldn’t sleep though, and finally about 3:00 in the morning when we could hear propane tanks exploding in the distance, we stepped outside to a sheet of falling ash and decided, now’s the time.  We could get no information on the radio about which direction to head.  The primary road out is south through Paradise, and earlier we had heard to be prepared to travel north towards the mountains in a long evacuation route.  

Not knowing the current status, we headed south through the dark, and about 3 miles down the road encountered burning buildings and flames blowing across the road.  We searched for fire staff, or sheriff, for direction.  But there was no one there.  Which told us that resources were being spread so thin that we needed to make a decision for ourselves.

More to the story on the blog here, should you like to see some photos as well.

For now, stay safe, and thank you once again for your love, concern, and support.  And I know there are some reading this message, no doubt, are sharing our fate. May your day be free of suffering and filled with greater ease.

Love,