Chico Fire June 11, 2008.
June 11th, 2008categories: California Park Neighborhood, Chico CA Real Estate News
On a normal day, I will always choose to work at home, rather than at my office. I just get more done that way.
Serene though it may seem, I only use my office when I have to meet clients. There’s just too much going on to get anything done! In addition to my own phone ringing off the hook, there are several other lines jangling along with the fax machine. The front door is constantly beeping from people coming and going, and someone always wants to come in, sit down, and chat. (Love it… I just have work to do!) Alternatively, when no one else is in the office, I find myself gazing out at the lake instead of tackling my to-do list.
Today the distractions were so unbelievable I couldn’t wait to run home. Work was all but abandoned as I sat at my desk with my jaw dropped. My reasons for wanting to get home, however, were not for the petty reason of wanting to get more work done. Phone calls, faxes, files and foreclosures suddenly became the least important thing in the world.
I wanted to get home to hold my family close, and ensure their safety.
Fire season hit the greater Chico area hard today.
The noise from the winds, sirens, and aircraft was unreal in the California Park neighborhood. The helicopters were using the reserves from the lakes to help squelch the rapidly progressing “Humboldt Fire.” Needless to say, I was not battling the normal distractions today. Because my office sits just feet from the lake, I had a front row view of the incredible job the pilots were performing.
The following photos were taken from my desk. To give you an idea of how close the helicopter was… my zoom lens is only 105mm! (Not very good!) The pilots swooped in on the left side of the building, dunked the bucket, and turned around to leave on the right side of the building.
As of this writing, the Humboldt Fire is said to have burned about 3500 acres since 12:00 today, and forced 1000 people to evacuate their homes. The fire began somewhere between Hwy 32 and East 20th, and is now being battled near Neal Road and Skyway in lower Paradise, CA. Click for a map of the fire, burned area, and evacuated areas.
Governor Schwartzenegger has declared a state of emergency for Butte County.
View the most up-to-the-minute news on the Chico Enterprise Record site.
My prayers and thanks go out to the many men and women out fighting the fire for the sake of the Chico and Paradise communities. I have only the highest regard for the unbelievably difficult and treacherous job they face. After watching them in action today, I have a whole new appreciation for the reality of their “work day.”
Likewise, my heart goes out to the families that have been forced from their homes.
Sandi,
What a great article. In our day to day running around to accomplish our goals we often lose sight of what really is important in our lives. I too felt the impact as I wondered if I would have to evacuate our home and what really important items I would take with me. As unfortunate it was for others, the fire took off in an opposite direction. I also am praying for those who lost their homes and those working to save them.
Mike Wiegert
Broker
Chico Homes