Fire season!

[Mare]

Fire season is upon us and with the high temps and dry grass, it's been very real around here! We had a close one yesterday, evacuation notices to within a quarter mile of us. I have a friend down the road that had it come to with 200 yards of her home. The bombers and choppers were all over the skies. We have amazing, fast, on top of it fire crews in California. They had it under control within a few hours..love these people!

We've never been evacuated, maybe I should say..not yet. We do have a game plan in place but having it this close has made us think that maybe we need a better game plan! What about you all..would you be ready?

[The Pinkertons]

Natural disasters sure do put things into perspective, don't know if you remember a few weeks ago we were facing the same situation as yourself , ash falling like snow right behind us in the angles national forest , we could see the flames we also live along the foothills . There is the Exotic Wildlife Way Station up here, the animals had to be evacuated , tigers ,lions, exotic birds and all,lots of equestrian ranches .

[Dragonlady2]

Even here in Canada we have wildfires. Fort McMurray in Alberta was devastated this year. Last year they were north of us in Saskatchewan. I don't know which natural disaster is worse....fire or flood. Both are devastating.

It's always good to have a back-up/evacuation plan...easier said than done, unfortunately, especially when you have animals and birds.

[Lady]

I think the only way we would be ready the best we could is to practice the plan. Then we would have a good idea what we needed to work on or change. I think I would start with making sure that we had all we needed packed and ready in the card during this time of the year. Then we could work on how to get the animals out safely and in good timing.

[Mare]

My son pointed out, yesterday, that the dirt road we live on has only one way out and that is "up" to the pavement. If a fire cut us off before we could get out, we would be hoofin' it down to the river with the horses, cats, dogs and birds! I pray that never happens but wire cutters are definitely in our plan.

[Blancaej]

It's a scary thought Mare! My brother was evacuated along with his horses last year from their home. Thankfully their home stayed safe and they were able to return. But very scary none the less. I hope you continue your streak of not ever being evacuated! ;)

[mdg1109]

Here we have to worry about Hurricanes, which you have time to prepare for. The late fall/early summer seem to be the worst time for them here in the Mid Atlantic East Coast area. We aren't ready and your post has made me realize that we need to have an emergency plan in place and make sure that we have enough supplies for us and the fids.

I hope you all stay safe and please let us know if you need anything.

[Dragonlady2]

I totally forgot about hurricanes. We just don't have them up here, but they would be frightening as well. This has been a good reminder for all of us to ensure we have a safety plan.

[Lady]

I agree. But you know natural disasters are not the only reason we need to be prepared. What if a water main should burst on your street and everyone looses water. I think it is possible that folks would have to leave their house for a few days till everything is put back in clean, safe working order.
It is a good idea for some of us if not all to have a list of hotels that allow pets.

[lolsavannahh]

we don't have many natural disasters here in GA.. flooding is a problem down south but I live on a hill on a hill on a hill.. so we've never come close to floodin! LOL, tornados have come close, but I've been here 12 years and never one in my city so hope it stays that way!