From Where I Sit

From Where I Sit

Things were quiet today. It’s nice after yesterday’s indescribable chaos. I listened to the scanner for a bit and was pleased to hear things are sort of better. Tonight they hope to successfully conduct some back burning to help eat any fuel and deter the beast. The smoke is still rising, but tonight the glow is dim. Today the report is over 26,000 acres have been destroyed. Currently they have it contained to 27%. The winds have been significantly lighter and certainly contributed to the quiet of the scanner. Today, was a good day.

Last night I couldn’t sleep. I was clipping coupons and watching Red Dragon and just thinking about the fear my fellow Sierra Vistans are living with right now. All day yesterday a lump would develop, dissipate, then reappear over this whole ordeal. After midnight, I received an email update from our county supervisor. He drove through the area that suffered tremendously last night and took avid notes of what he was able to see. I choked back the tears as he confirmed several structure losses. The official report today of losses is: 58 homes, 4 businesses, and 14 outbuildings. Yesterday’s losses were 4 businesses and 14 homes. There was valid reasoning for me to lose sleep.

Today, I couldn’t stomach the things being posted on Facebook. There wasn’t much to say today except condolences and messages of encouragement to those who are mourning the loss of their homes. You would like to believe negative opinions would be better left unsaid considering the circumstances. But, leave it to the overinflated sense of self to overpower good judgement and sensitivity. I ultimately left the site and visited it sporadically through the day.

In the email from the county supervisor last night, he explained he’d requested National Guard support from the Governor. The neighborhoods that have been abandoned because of evacuations are so vast, we simply don’t have the man power and resources to properly patrol. I was disheartened to read looting had been reported and feared it was going to increase. The area evacuated is huge. I’m not certain as to the square miles, but if you look at any map online of the affected areas of this fire, it’s pretty clear. We need help. I commend the supervisor for his decision making on that call. I’m even more glad they will be arriving tomorrow.

Over the past several days of this fiasco, morons have been voicing their irritation with the lack of military support in fighting the fire. Yesterday the Monument Fire was deemed the most important fire in the United States. Fire fighters from all over the state have been transferred to this location to aide the effort. At last count, we have 1097 fire fighters working to contain this fire.

Fort Huachuca is definitely affected by this fire. It’s just a matter of time before the fire breaches the fort. They are aware of this and have acted accordingly. Several soldiers from different branches currently stationed on Fort Huachuca have come to assist in clearing brush and whatever else they can help with. On Thursday, despite a valiant effort to prepare for the fire, an additional wild fire broke out on the fort and redirected over 200 fire fighters from the Monument Fire to assist in the new Antelope Fire. That fire ultimately caused several subdivisions to evacuate their homes. But I digress. The point it, the military has been helping.

When I read one particular post, I sort of lost it. I have to paraphrase, because I don’t remember exactly what she wrote, but it went something like this: Finally the National Guard is coming to help out. Where have they been all week. Why weren’t they called to help fight this fire before it burned down all these homes and has gotten out of control. If the National Guard had been here when we most needed them, maybe this fire wouldn’t be as big as it is. --So on and so forth. The devil on my shoulder wanted me to engage this moron in a word fight on Facebook. The angel-ish on the other side, decided a blog would be far more satisfying. Truth be told, the only thing that would truly satisfy me with this would be landing her with a swift kick in the junk.

While there is a fire fighting MOS in the Air National Guard (possibly the regular National Guard too) more often than not, the Guard is called in to support local efforts. Specifically the task of aiding law enforcement. In fact, Governor Brewer sent troops up to assist the Wallow Fire in Northern Arizona. But, they were sent to specifically help law enforcement. They were up there clearing brush and similar tasks, but not actually getting on the front line of the fire. They are not trained to do that per se.

Ok. So my big point here is...this lady had time on her hands to bitch and moan about what the military isn’t doing. Fighting a fire this complex is best fought by those who have the training to do so. And even the best trained are working in conditions considered more complex than they’ve ever seen. Essentially, the National Guard would have been just as qualified to fight the fire as you or I. What’s the point lady? If you are looking for someone to really blame here, perhaps we should wait out the investigation as to the cause of this fire and start pointing fingers in the more appropriate direction. Certainly the military isn’t the one who made this mess we’re all in right now. So honestly...shut the hell up.

I’m just an opinionated mother who sits at home all day with her kids and contemplates the plight in life. I have opened my home to those who have needed it over the past week. The doors will remain open as long as I have a house to offer. The best thing for anyone to do in this situation is support. I have been unceasingly amazed at the level of bonding this community has done over this. It’s tremendously inspiring to read the outpouring of love and donation by everyone. Is it too much to ask to sit back and think for five measly seconds before puking word vomit all over a community page that has been so uplifting to so many? Apparently, I’m asking a smidge too much here. We’re all entitled to our voice and whatever sounds it makes. But, I don’t even like cleaning up my children’s vomit. And it’s actual vomit...not verbal spewage.

I’m just so tired of people who can’t be satisfied. What’s the harm in looking a little harder for the silver lining that exists in nearly all situations. Why not get off your computer, get in the car, and drive down to the shelter where people who’ve LOST their computers are currently living and give them some assistance. Maybe then, your narrow little perspective might widen enough to fit some humility.