I just called my sister who lives in Okanogan WA. I had no idea the fires up there were so close to her. She doesn't keep me in the 'loop', but after seeing some pictures I realized things were bad.

She's fine along with her boyfriend and a couple visiting them. So there are 4 adults and 3 cats who are having a load of fun watching the fires which are just SEVEN miles away on 3 sides. They have packed up and evacuated 2 times in the past 2 days and are now at home again (with the visitors and the 3 cats) and are watching the fire across the street coming down the hillside towards the road. They are ready to jump into their vehicles at any moment. So far, no evacuations ordered, but there is a lack of fire fighters and they are asking for anyone who feels they can help, to go to the local fire station and get outfitted.

The area where they sadly lost 3 firefighters yesterday is just East of her town in Twisp. She feels pretty good right now. Adrenalin and good friends are making for an 'event'. They will move when they have to, but for now, are staying indoors, using wet wash cloths over their faces and trying to block out the smoke. They tried the masks given out by the firemen, but they didn't do as well as the wet wash cloths. They spent 2 nights at the local Wal-Mart parking lot where there is food and drink available for evacuees. They only have 3 large businesses in town, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and a large grocery store (not sure which one).

The have a sprinkler system on the roof to keep it wet, but last night the city shut off the water. This morning, it was back on thank goodness. She is sending me some pictures from her house to show just how close the fires are. I'm waiting for those. Very scary for me to watch and hope everyone will be safe.

Prayers for all those in the fire areas and for the injured firefighters and the ones who lost their lives. Hopefully the rain will come (she says it's clouding up) and help. So far, they have NO tankers around them with water from the air, so they must be using them in more populated areas. Her house is way out in a farming area with not much around. Just a smattering of houses here and there. Hoping for the best.

Prayers to all affected!

My prayers heading up too.

How scary!

Yes, prayers for all. This is a very scary time for the West coast and the drought... causes big problems. Hope your sister can stay safe.

Sister sent me a few emails. She's OK. They have evacuated them each night, but allowed them back each morning. She's hoping tht tonight they won't make them leave. The picture she sent isn't really exciting, but it shows the fire on the hillside about 1 mile away. She's on flat ground in a valley and the houses across the street (about 1/2 mile away from her, are much closer. Very scary, but she promised to send me an email if they had to move out again. Whew. Thanks for the prayers, they are helping.

Oh my goodness. Sending prayers to all close to the fires. My sister lives in San Fran and she says that they are starving for rain. It's bone dry where she is. Scary.

Midgie

Oh yes, I told my sister I was glad they had that big river right near by and she said it was only 2 inches deep now. Ugh! Drought is terrible and now they are predicting a major El Nino for the rest of this year. I lived through two of those and the amount of water and wind is unbelievable. At least we would get some water, but the damage from flooding, erosion and trees being knocked over by the winds and phone poles falling on cars and houses is a bit scary. When it rains, it pours. Oh so true.

Sister finally contacted me with some new pictures. She's OK, her property fine. Loads of smoke and the fire came within 1/3 mile. Hopefully it won't kick up again, but for now, they are good. If anyone managed to see coverage of the Okanogan fire on TV from WA news stations, the golf course, where the newsman was interviewing a resident, is in sight from my sister's house. Fire was burning up to the golf course during the interview. Wow. Glad she's ok and she will have quite a story to tell when get gets around to writing it up.

Glad to hear she is ok for now. Hope they get those things gone soon.

Very scary Sorta. Glad your sister is safe.

Sorta. I'm glad she is safe.