Be Careful What You Wish For

     It's not news to anyone that weather this summer has been extreme just about everywhere, at least part of the time. Here, in the Pacific Northwest, it's been exceptionally dry and hot. As predicted, wildfires are ablaze in every western state with resources stretched to the snapping point. The Okanagan Complex in north central Washington is the #1 national wildfire priority today. Firefighters from Australia and New Zealand are expected to arrive this weekend.
     Tragically, three firefighters died near Twisp, Washington yesterday and others were seriously burned when they were trapped by fire. I don't know what those men and women are paid, but it's not enough. I can't even fathom the grueling work they face, without let-up, once a fire starts. This summer has been a particular hell for them. They must be absolutely exhausted, in spite of every comfort they are provided. Some train near here and I've seen the heavy protective clothing, helmets and packs which must make already extreme heat darn near unbearable. I try to imagine what must be going through their minds at the end of a long day (or night) or in the hellish thick of an uncontrolable fire. They have to wonder what the heck they were thinking when they signed on. Was it adventure they were after? A challenge? Money for school or family? Whatever it was, we should all be extremely grateful. It's work few can perform.
     On Monday, one of the weather prognosticators that I follow said there's a good chance for some serious rain to visit us by the end of August or early September. It would likely begin as snow in Alaska and move down -- all the way to northern California, he said -- bringing rain, glorious rain to our parched world.
     Yeah, yeah, we've heard that before, but it has yet to pan out. Still, I've pinned my hopes on it all week, telling everyone I'll be out dancing in it when it arrives.
    But, today on Oregon Public Broadcasting's Think Out Loud, one of the reports made me feel almost greedy. Apparently, the cold front that would eventually drift south, bringing that glorious rain, would also wreak havoc with the wildfires, which are barely contained at this point. The cold air clashing with the hot air created by the fires would cause winds to shift quickly and unpredictably, creating even more hazardous conditions for firefighters and property owners. How could I wish for that? Would that inhibit the rain from falling there? Couldn't it help almost immediately thereafter? How scary weather is proving.
     Oregon's biggest fire right now is the Canyon Creek Fire in southeastern Oregon - a very different terrain from the Willamette Valley, yet beautiful in it's unique way and home to amazing wildlife, especially birds.
     I never used to worry much about wildfires in our forested neighborhood until the last couple of years when things started to dry out more. This year has been especially scary. What if this truly is the "new norm"?
     About 20 years ago we converted about 4 acres of former cow pasture into a forest. It seemed like a much higher calling for the land at the time, but now I'm having second thoughts. Two summers ago we thinned quite a few, which left nightmarish piles of branches everywhere. The forester said they'd decompose within about 6 years, but I think that's under normal wet conditions.
  

Arthritic-looking droopy branches

  I also trimmed countless branches from other trees on our property, about head height, making them easier to walk among and improving the value of the timber by reducing knot holes. This summer we've notice that the branches higher up have slipped downward, tapping or grabbing us as we walk through the woods. Is that in part because of the drought? Our neighbor pointed out there are fewer fir cones this year too. So many silent "messages" I wish a professional could interpret for us.
     If there's a way for that rain to come and not worsen the already horrible situation firefighters are dealing with, that's what I wish for...