The view from my west-facing office window on August 23.
Where I live in southeastern BC, I can view two fires out my windows once darkness falls — unless the smoke occludes them, which is typically the case. We’re not far from the Parker Ridge fire in northern Idaho — that’s over ten square miles of fire that has closed the US-Canadian border at least once and caused evacuations in Idaho’s border town. On clearish days, I can see the smoke plumes, and once I saw flames at night.
About 7pm on August 14, facing west from my yard.
(Excuse the former clothesline pole!)
Out my west windows I can see another fire only a few miles away. This one is about 1/10 the size of Parker Ridge and has been mostly contained in the past week, so flames aren’t usually visible anymore. Again, a heavy smoke haze means the view is often veiled.
Meanwhile new fires are popping up all around this huge area like a bad game of whack-a-mole. For every fire contained or extinguished, it seems several more explode onto the scene. Several fire fighters have died, uncountable properties have burned, and numerous towns are on what seems like permanent evacuation alerts or orders. For those of us lucky enough not to be under immediate threat, air quality is incredibly poor with thick smoke more days than not.
About 10pm on August 14, facing west from my yard (same blaze!)
Top photo is of the same mountain.
Where’s the romance in this? It’s hard to find! But anyone who’s lived under threat of earthquake, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, or other disasters gets a crash course (sorry…) in priorities. In values.
What would you take if you received the five-minute warning to evacuate? What are the most precious things in your home? Things that can’t be replaced? While the loss of a good many items we own would cause hardship — perhaps even extreme adversity — only our families are truly irreplaceable.
People we love. Spouses. Children. Grandchildren.
Friends tell me I can use these experiences in a book, but I’ve already written a romance novel in which forest fires threaten properties and lives. I’m not sure I have another one in me. Here’s a snippet from Wild Mint Tea.
Claire struggled to her feet, still staring at the smoky wisps. A small explosion puffed as a distant tree went up in flame. “There’s a forest fire.” Rain began to spatter around her as clouds choked off the last bit of sunshine.
Noel stood beside her and stared for a moment. Then he reached down and shook out the blanket. It fluttered beside her as he bundled it up. He grabbed her arm. “Come on! We don’t want to be on the mountain top when the storm hits over here.” He threw the blanket into the truck’s back seat.
She stumbled behind him to the vehicle where he hoisted her into the passenger seat then slammed the door.
Claire’s eyes found the flames again as another tree caught fire.
Noel shoved the truck into gear.
She clutched at his arm. “Look!”
“I see it. Can’t do anything about it from up here, but I’ll call it in when we get off the mountain. Hang on, I’ll be going fast, at least until we’re down into the forest.”
The truck jolted down the rutted road, rivulets of water already finding a twisted path down, racing the vehicle.
Want to read Wild Mint Tea? It’s available in e-book on Kindle and elsewhere, in paperback, and as an audiobook (links here). While it is the second book in my Farm Fresh Romance series, it can be read as a standalone. As well, the first book in the series, Raspberries and Vinegar, is a free e-book everywhere.
Please leave a comment and let’s talk about natural disasters! Have you ever been evacuated? What natural disasters are the most common threats in your part of the world?
I’ll choose a random winner from among the commenters Wednesday, Sept 9.
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Valerie, those pictures are intense! How awful. But I think you’re right that disasters can bring out an inspirational message. My editor at Love Inspired adores weather disaster plots! And my friend Leigh Bale has a whole series about firefighters. There’s so much opportunity for heroism in these stories.
There is a lot of potential for heroism. I think writing a novel completely encased in a natural disaster would be a very intense experience. Carolyn Zane wrote “Beyond the Storm” for the Abingdon Quilts of Love series, and that was a tornado story. Really intense! Wild Mint Tea isn’t a full disaster story in that sense.
I wrote and scheduled the above post on the weekend, then hubby and I got away for a few days. We arrived home last night to a valley that had some rain while we were away, and the skies are blue with puffy clouds! The fire to the west is now considered 100% contained (but still burning within containment). The Parker Ridge fire, covering 6600 acres, is now considered 45% contained. Breathing clean fresh air is lovely and highly recommended!!
Have you had any rain yet, Valerie? We have and it’s been such a blessing. The smoke was horrible, even though there were no fires super close.
I heard the biggest WA fire is finally under control. Incidentally I wrote a wildfire into one of my books too. :)
Other than the big earthquake that we are overdue for–which they say will destroy us– I’d say wildfires are our biggest threat.
We got some rain on Sunday and then bits throughout the past few days. The air quality is much MUCH improved!
I’m reading this one right now – and loving it! :)
Aw, thanks, Heather!!
Valerie, so glad you got some rain. Forest fires are scary.
It’s been a little nerve-wracking, and we were never in immediate danger. There are still many communities on evacuation alert, though. Some rain and cooler weather has helped, but the danger isn’t over yet.
A couple of years ago, a tornado touched down 1/4 mile from our house near Branson. It tore out huge trees, by the roots, destroyed multiple houses, jumped across a finger of the lake and worked its way up to the Branson strip where it leveled shops and theaters. We heard an odd sort of wind and lost power, but had no idea it was a tornado until the next morning. It took a good many storms before I could resist the urge to run for the basement at the first puff of wind! I think you are very brave, Valerie. Judging by the pictures you took, I would’ve driven miles in the opposite direction as fast as I could safely go! I’m so glad the smokey air has improved and hope the last of the fires are quickly extinguished. Scary stuff!
I remember hearing about that Branson tornado! You’re braver than me — you stayed living there! While our nearby fires made me think about what to grab in case of evacuation, odds of it happening were extremely slim. The winds go the wrong direction for us to have been in sudden danger, and there’s a band of wetlands and a river between. Sure it could happen. Anything could happen anytime, right? But the measurable danger was very slim.
Valerie, I’m glad you’ve received some rain and fresh air. Every summer in Australia we seem to have at least one bushfire emergency. It’s very scary and your wildfires this year have been so big and intense. I grew up in Sydney across the road from a National Park. One year we had a fire burning only a tennis ball throw away from our home. A spectator had parked across our drive away, blocking us in, to watch the fire. Thankfully we didn’t need to evacuate.
This past Saturday was so windy here in Western Washington. At least in the northwest corner. We lost electricity for the day and some lost it for 3 days. Because of no substantial rain in forever, we had downed trees, uprooted trees and general mess of leaves and branches blowing about. You would have thought it was the end of October, not August 29th. It was like a ghost town in little old Lynden, WA with no power anywhere. With just the winds and rain, we panicked for the areas of WA that were near the fires.
Saturday was really windy here, too. Our smoke was super thick that day. I heard about your massive power outage in the Seattle area. Crazy stuff! It’s been a wild month in this corner of the world. Thanks for stopping by, Terrill!
That was very thoughtful of your spectator! I think I’d have had my car packed if the fire were that close. (Unless you can throw a tennis ball a LOT further than I can!)
Valerie — Glad you & family are safe, but obviously you were close to those fires should they have blown your way. We had some smoky skies here in the Seattle area with eerie sunsets & sinus issue blow-ups; were worried about my nephew w/ asthma, but then the rains have cleared it all here & it’s cool.
I grew up amidst Tornado warnings & we would go to the basement, but the windstorms, earthquakes & fires of the northwest are scarier (along with the potential for tsunamis since we’re near the coast) I think, because they seem to be less predictable.
Thanks for continuing to supply reading that is thought-provoking and including your love for food!
— Julia P
Those tornadoes must be mighty freaky though. I can’t imagine! And I guess along the west coast everyone always has The Big One (earthquake) in the back of their minds. Here it’s just fires, and they don’t happen nearby every year.
Thanks for your kind words about my books!
I live on the Oregon coast & though the fires didn’t come near our area, it was still a very scary situation. I said the same thing to myself, what would I take if we did have to evacuate and only had 5-10 minutes? It sure does put things into perspective doesn’t it? My heart certainly goes out to the firefighters families who’ve lost their loved ones. You just never know what will happen in a natural disasters, whether they’re fire, tornado, earthquake or whatnot. My prayers have certainly been with all those fighting the fires across our area (Pacific Northwest).
Thank you for sharing about your book “Wild Mint Tea”, sounds like one I’ll be adding to my collection, Valerie!
Thanks for your comment, Trixi! :) Glad your family was out of the danger zone.
I’m in Spokane, across the street of a natural reserve. We were evacuated a couple of summers ago. I now have a bug-out backpack always packed will a small list of what else to get if I’m leaving like pills, etc. We had trouble smoke a couple of days. Praise God for the rain!
I really loved the three books! It’s interesting figuring out all the places. And a great idea for the organic food and living. Thanks for the stories. Hugs
Valerie,
So glad to hear you are safe. i have several friends that live in Washington and Oregon and have been keeping up with the situation. My friends are all ok. Been praying for rain and safety.
I live on the east coast and we battle the hurricanes every year. Some years are worse than others.
I have read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. It would be a welcome addition to my Kindle library to have the 2nd book as well.
Carol
Having a bug-out bag half-packed with a list is a great idea! And thanks for your kind words about the Farm Fresh Romance series. Did you know the series is up to five books now?
There doesn’t seem any place on the planet exempt from natural disasters! I’m glad you enjoyed Raspberries and Vinegar. :)
We were evacuated one night when the gas main blew just across the street. We also have tornadoes and blizzards. Not at the same time. Heehee. I also enjoyed Raspberries and Vinegar.
Can you imagine a snow-filled tornado? Eep!!! Glad God separated those! I’m glad you enjoyed Raspberries and Vinegar :)