We have all seen and read the awful wildfire news out of both northern and southern California, and especially, about the Camp Fire that has destroyed the northern California town of Paradise. The fire there, now about 45% contained and no longer near inhabited areas, has burned 146,000 acres, including 9,700 single-family homes. At this writing, 71 people are confirmed dead, but the number of missing continues to rise as more information is gathered. It’s now over 1,000.
The landscape was so dry that the fire exploded forward, airborne; burning materials rained from the sky, carried by strong winds, igniting simultaneous fires all over town. We’re very lucky that our friends smileycreek, paradise50, and Besame were able to escape and find refuge in the town of Chico.
Bésame managed to get her parrots and a few things of hers in the car and get out before traffic ground to a halt and people had to flee on foot. She’s ended up in a motel room in Chico.
Because almost the entire town of Paradise has evacuated to Chico, and because earlier evacuees of this summer’s Carr Fire were already there, finding another suitable rental house she can afford is likely to be very difficult and take quite a while, severely taxing her resources. She has a GoFundMe, whose link is at left. If you are able to help out, she’d be most grateful. As always, whether or not you can donate, sharing on Facebook and Twitter, and by any other means, is vital to her success.
Our friend smileycreek has written a long comment below. Typically for her, she has asked me to replace the short blockquote that was here with a link to the comment, because, she said, “Too much about me in the diary.” ;)
Please go to Bésame’s page, where you’ll be able to share on Facebook and Twitter as well as donate. And thank you!!!