Today marks the eighth anniversary of the Tubbs Fire that in the very early hours of October 9th, 2017 raced through parts of my town and turned entire neighborhoods to ashes. One of those neighborhoods was our old one. We weren't living there anymore at that time - we had moved to our current home five years before the fires - but the devastation and the anxious-filled days following that fateful night are still very vivid in my memory.
I didn't really want to write about this until I saw that today's prompt over at Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date is "fire" - too much of a coincidence for me to ignore.
These are the remains of the Brookdale House, our old home.
We had lived 11 years in this house and we had been very happy in it. Here Kaefer grew from a three-year old to a teenager, important years in our book. Some of our neighbors were more than just neighbors, they had become friends. The husband of the lovely couple across the street had become Kaefer's substitute grandpa. Not much was left of their home.
The couple next to us often barbecued in their backyard and the most delicious flavors were wafting over to our yard. More than a few times they invited us over and revealed some of their "cooking secrets". I am so glad that both Kaefer and I were able to say goodbye to the husband a few days before he died (this was a couple years before the fires). During the night of the fire, his wife (now a widow) thankfully wasn't at home, but staying at her daughter's home in Tahoe. She never returned.
Some neighbors moved to other neighborhoods or towns, others rebuilt. The good connection that we had with all of them unfortunately didn't last. Every now and then I see some of them, but the bond has certainly loosened.
I went up to the burnt out neighborhood right after the fires twice. Once, to see some of my old neighbors and the other time to take Kaefer up there. She was already studying at UC Davis at the time of the fire. When we got the permission to enter the property, we went to what used to be our backyard. And here a little miracle happened - I found one of the small concrete Japanese pagodas that I had forgotten when we moved because they had been covered by ivy. It had survived the inferno!
19 comments:
Dear Carola, thank you so much for sharing the beauty that you have discovered...even among devastation!
So sad. So many places ruined by fires in recent years. Quite heart breaking. B x
...WOW, that was devastating. We have fires here, but never widespread ones. Carola, take care and be well.
Sad memories of a devastating fire.
Oh my, what a poignant synchronicity of art prompt and anniversary date. What a terrible experience for you and your community.
It"s been awhile, so I had forgotten, until I read today's post, that you lived in California. What a tragic story and I am so grateful that you weren't still living there. Sorry for the loss of you friend in the fire and yes, a little miracle to find the pagoda, uncharred, in the ruins. Your post reminds me that we should be grateful for what we have and thoughtful to those who don't have as much or haave lost what they had. A moving post indeed, Carola ...
Andrea @ From the Sol
Oh my goodness. What a poignant photo story. A devastating but thoughtful interpretation of Rain's TADD theme.
Fire is so devastating. Thank you for sharing this touching story.
Those fires looks awful, and I'm so glad you were no longer living there. But it's sad for your neighbors. But there are little bits of joy with that pagoda. I'm wondering if you took it or left it for the new owners (of the ashes.) Have a great FRiday and weekend Carola. hugs-Erika
You were meant to have the pagoda. I'm sure this was a tough post to write but what a reminder for us all to be so very careful when it is dry. This is so very heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing this with us.
How tragic. Very sad. Fire is scary and devastating. Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry for the devastation.
Das ist ja beinahe ein schönes Ende zu einer schrecklichen Geschichte!
Die Hauptfeuerwehr Braunschweig ist nur zwei Straßen weiter, das ist ein wirklich beruhigendes Gefühl...
Your photos say it all. We have had several towns burn to the ground like this one here in Oregon too. I wonder where all of these people have gone after such a horrific situation. I do love what you have shared with FFO and have a nice weekend.
Wonderful but sad tribute to devastating fire ~ hugs,
https://anartistreflects.com
What a sad anniversary to remember especially as it claimed the homes of so many people, including one that you lived in and shared such great times with neighbors. The memories certainly came flooding back, Carola, and thank you for sharing with us because as much as we watched news accounts, it's can be hard to put things in perspective until reading a post like this.
Thank you for sharing your photographs and memories of this devastating fire.
All the best Jan
I can't even begin to imagine what the families in those neighborhoods experienced. I didn't read anything about lives lost in your post, but the trauma and the loss of family treasures (regardless of value), was real. Amongst the devastation, finding the pagoda was truly of sign of hope. I'm visiting via FFO. Blessings!
Oh my Carola, how awful. I can't imagine losing everything like that...how devastating for the community. Thank you for sharing. ♥
El fuego es muy peligroso, me da mucho miedo, este año ha habido muchos en España la mayoría intencionados, demasiada tristeza. Besos.
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