It's the last day of the weekend. There's no relief to the heat and the fires aren't cooling things off at all.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
There are more than 50 homes gone. Glencoe, Luther, Norman, Slaughterville, Noble, Pink, Geary, Shawnee, Drumright, Mannford, Quinton, Tom Steed Reservoir... Last year, we had 1,800 wildfires - and more money and firefighters than this year. Our government slashed budgets to the fire departments to "save money" while voting a pay raise for themselves. That's how a Republican state rolls.
The fire departments are seriously understaffed and undersupplied and short of funds. We've been collecting gatorade to drive out to the firefighters because they can't afford to buy it themselves. My car's trunk will hold 11 cases of gatorade. People have been driving out cases of water as well as gatorade and 5 gallon carboys of water, and sandwiches.
I spent most of yesterday (today for me, since I'm writing this before I go to bed) packing evacuee boxes with the essentials people tend to forget, especially those who don't have go-bags. Shampoo, soap, wash cloths, towels (they apparently haven't heard of Towel Day), menstrual supplies, combs, brushes, hair bands, tylenol and aspirin, antacids, restaurant free meal coupons, sleepwear (erring on the side of huge), slippers, decks of cards, pen and paper, refillable water bottles, snacks, pet foods. Can't do anything about their lack of important papers, photos, heirlooms and irreplaceable items, but we can provide personal care and pet care items. Food.
I asked the vet if they'd donate some cardboard pet carriers and leashes for pets being evacuated, and they also gave me boxes of pet food samples - IAMs and Science Diet and more. The Dollar stores gave me all their bowls to use as water and food bowls for those who left without them. Pooties and woozles need help, too.
A friend of mine out of the line of the fire opened up her pastures and barns to evacuated horses and it looks like the Wild West out there with the cattle drives to move the cattle to places downwind and away from the fires.
The wildlife is finding refuge in people's back yards. Bunnies, deer, armadillos, skunks. There are no birds in the sky - they flew off yesterday
Unless the wind changes or a new fire breaks out, my house and my daughter's house are not in danger. We have smoke, but the flames are going away from us for now. Most of my friends are all in safe(ish) areas and have safe places to evacuate to, so they dont need my uncooled house. This makes me both happy and sad.
Here's hoping all y'all are doing well. I probably won't be on line much tomorrow. Today.