Plaskett Fire report from the front lines while evacuated

Yesterday was a rollercoaster ride — and not entirely in a good way. The fire was below my house:

(Photo by JC Corley)

Several people who went or were already up at the end of Los Burros said my house was gone. I couldn’t believe that, but I probably went into some state of shock. I had a house built with fire resistant Hardie Plank siding, I had a metal roof, I had coated my deck with fire retardant in the stain and with the help of a wonderful young man (who was also a fire fighter) had done a lot of clearance over the years. Ralph had helped me get a 3000 gal water tank up to my place in the back of his pick up truck. Soren got it set up with a hydrant and got it full — dedicated just for fire fighting. Not even connected up to house. I even had the special $50 a pop Vulcan vents on the house for the holes under the rafters. I had put Hardie Plank under the eaves on the side most threatened. . I had done everything I could to prepare for this day. I refused to believe it was gone. So, I started texting and got a hold of the District Ranger who contacted the Division Chief, who confirmed my house was fine. And JC went and took pics this morning.

(Photo by JC)

But last night was a different story. This is Plaskett Ridge last night. My house is off frame on the left.

(Photo by Embree Mayer)

And from Keith Vandervere’s wonderful daily summary on facebook:

BTW my place is not pink. Either Fin was joshing with me, or the chief was joshing with him.