The Wallow Fire

 This summer our Nana and Papa's worst nightmare came true. 

The Wallow Fire started in June.  I still remember Mike coming home from work and telling me a fire had started near Alpine and I did have a bit of fear, but thought there was no way it would ever get close to my parents.  None of the summer fires ever had so they never would right?  At least we hoped they never would. 

This summer was different.  Within a few days of the fire starting things were completely out of control and my parents were told they needed to pack their things and leave their home.  Mike and I drove up to help them get their things together and I was totally unprepared for what I saw.  It was horrible and gut wrenching.  The sun colored the smoke red and orange.  The smoke was so thick you could hardly see in some places.  It felt like the end of the world.  Very ominous and dark.   

 We worked quickly to get the pictures and most important things out of the house before they came to say it was time for us to go.  My dad being the stubborn man that he is said he was going to stay and do what he could to save his home.  I was so mad at him and at the same time couldn't blame him.  He was in danger of losing everything he had worked his whole life to build.  What a horrible feeling that would be.  So, we drove away and left him there.  Mom went to Eagar to stay with Lisa.  Little did they know that a few days later they would be leaving again as the fire ragged closer and closer to Eagar too. 

 Over the next few days the fire got worse and worse.  All we could do was watch the news and follow as closely as we could.  We were able to talk to my dad every once in a while to make sure that he was safe.  He was busy taking generators from one persons house in his ward to the next, trying to keep their refrigerators and freezers going for them.  He worked his tail off!!!! 
 

The fire did come extremely close to their home.  In the back of their house you can see the charred trees withing a half mile of them.  In the front of their house, it's just across the highway.  They were very blessed that they were kept out of harms way.  The mountains are still beautiful, but will never be the same in our lifetime.  It makes me so sad to think that my children will never be able to enjoy it the way that we did.  About 6 years ago our little family all carved our names in a tree about 5 miles from Nana and Papa's house.  It's gone now.  We will make new memories though!  We will always love going to Alpine and enjoying doing absolutely nothing but relaxing and spending time as a family.