I have to be honest and say it's a weird place to be when you're writing about fires affecting your community on an ongoing basis. Many of you have been asking and we're ok. Thank you for your thoughtful "reach-outs". The farm is fine and the trees are safe. We're just keeping things a little more hydrated and staying alert to any potential change in what we know and expect from this fire.
Most of the fire areas of the County Fire / Guinda Fire are burning rural mountainsides. This particular ridge has burned quite a few times in the last 40 years and we're no stranger to these big fires. Most everyone who lives here is very well aware of the fire dangers and what may cause them during red flag days.
For now, we don't know what caused this fire. We can say that it doesn't take much and just a tiny spark from a weed-whacker or lawnmower can have a devastating impact. Have you ever noticed all those burn patches off a country road or highway? Most all of those are caused by someone throwing out their cigarette butt. A lot of people don't realize the power that little ember has.
Cal Fire and all of our volunteer firefighters have been amazing and work tirelessly to keep all of us safe and out of harms way. As of today, the fire is affecting neighboring communities further south and everyone is in our thoughts as teams fight to gain control of this fire. If you're in the area and experiencing smoky air, please pick up a N95 mask with valve from an online retailer or your local hardware store. This mask is your saving grace. Trust us.
All photos were captured over the last few days by Matthew Henderson. Matt is a long time friend and even gave a shout out to us/Corky's when he was live broadcasting the first day of the fire. We all know and support each other up here and feel free to follow him for updates on this fire and many others he covers on an annual basis.
Please be safe and be aware out there!
