Teri J Pieper

Author Archives: Teri J Pieper

Relief

Today power was restored to much of the valley and most communications are back in service as well. It’s a big relief to those of us that have not suffered losses from the wildfires. Our dogs have been out of sorts with the lack of a regular schedule, lots of noise from generators and helicopters and also from the anxiety that their people have carried around for the last ten days. I took our dogs to the lake for a rousing round of fetch and Sky was beyond happy. Luna liked it too but she doesn’t share Sky’s enthusiasm. Few do.

Jump

Swim

Shake

You are going to throw this again, aren’t you?

What do you mean we have to go now?

Calm

Yesterday a tremendous rain storm with thunder and lightning cleaned smoke out of the air. After dark there was no glow on the hillsides and mountains we can see from our home. The only light was from the stars and a glow from the fire camp at the school a mile and a half away. 1500 people have created a small city there. After days of a power outage it was finally truly dark last night.

We face the north end of the burn where fire fighters and the rain have it well under control. Other places are still actively burning. ‘They’ say we will have power by this weekend. Communications are improving. Well that is true for this part of the valley. They say others will have to wait longer.

It’s a good morning

Wildfires Continue

It has been a week since the brief lightning storm went through north central Washington and small fires began burning. Now, 7 days later in Okanogan County alone 250,000 acres and 150 homes are in ashes. And the fires are not contained. More than 1000 fire fighters from around the country and countless aircraft are working to protect the landscape and homes. All power is out in the Methow valley. The only way to access the Internet is with a smart phone or tablet and service is sketchy. Communications are very frustrating. We are safe in our house for the moment. There were a couple of days when we were ready to flee if the fire across the valley advanced to the county road. Many folks are homeless so while we may feel inconvenienced or uncomfortable because of the smoke we really have nothing to complain about.

Wildfires Continue

It has been a week since the small lightning storm went through north central Washington and small fires began burning. Now, in Okanogan County alone 250,000 acres and 150 homes are in ashes. And the fires are not contained. More than 1000 fire fighters from around the country and countless aircraft are working to protect the landscape and homes. All power is out in the Methow valley. The only way to access the Internet is with a smart phone or tablet and service is sketchy. Communications are very frustrating. We are safe in our house for the moment. There were a couple of days when we were ready to flee if the fire across the valley advanced to the county road. Many folks are homeless so while we may feel inconvenienced or uncomfortable because of the smoke we really have nothing to complain about.

Fire Season in the Methow Valley

July 17, 2014 – 9:11 am
Posted in wildfire
Tagged Cougar Flats, fire photos, Methow Valley, wildfire, Winthrop
Comments (2)

Around here, we worry about wild fires. These fears have been confirmed this week. On Monday a small lightning storm went through north central Washington leaving behind small fires in the tinder dry grass and ponderosa pines. One fire quickly flared, south of here in Texas Creek causing mandatory evacuations. It grew quickly and yesterday it crossed the highway and the Methow River at the bottom of Libby Creek. As I understand, it is now burning south towards Gold Creek.

Another fire, directly across the valley from our house, burned slowly. It was named Cougar Flats for the area where it started. Tuesday afternoon the wind picked up and it grew quickly on state and federal land. Yesterday it grew by leaps and bounds and last night it made a run south towards homes and farms. More evacuations this morning.

Here are some photos I made last night from my porch. I think the glowing horizon is the timber in Pipestone Canyon.