Ash writes: "A Mandatory Evacuation Order (MEO) was issued for our area on Saturday morning. I had already packed my car with everything I could fit into it."
Horses set free before the onset of the Walbridge fire in Sonoma County, California, forage prior to rescue. (photo: Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
25 August 20
an refused to evacuate, retreated into vineyard …” Listening to firefighter radio communications is an excellent way to stay up to date on the wildfire in your area. That particular communication said a lot about what is happening in Sonoma County, California right now.
A Mandatory Evacuation Order (MEO) was issued for our area on Saturday morning. I had already packed my car with everything I could fit into it. One complicating factor was my chickens. I have a small organic chicken farm in Sonoma County near the Russian River. I distribute organic eggs to local low-income residents. 48 chickens can feed a lot of people.
In a wildfire evacuation situation at a farm, standard procedure is to open all animal enclosures before leaving. The theory is that it gives the animals a chance to flee and evade the fire rather than remain trapped in the fire’s path. It’s a good idea with horses, but chickens are not God’s brightest creatures, and they don’t always fare well in fires.
That’s the drill that is supposed to be followed, so I followed it. I loaded up the remainder of my possessions, including my Cockatoo Blackie, into my car and headed out.
In 2017, during the Tubbs fire, a woman who was part of our local chicken chat group was forced to flee her home and her chickens. She was not allowed to go back into the area to check on them or care for them. I managed, with the help of a small local rescue farm, to get in and rescue 12 surviving chickens and 2 cats. She did not forget that act of kindness.
Now, four years later, she and her husband have rebuilt, and they offered me and Blackie a place to stay. It was a wonderful offer, but after one night I was sick with worry over what was happening at my home farm. I starting checking the weather reports, and the wind was cooperating. Light, westerly ocean breezes were holding up the progress of the fire. I decided to try to return home.
The first roadblock I came to was manned by San Francisco sheriff’s deputies. To be blunt, SF law enforcement is a lot more democratic than Sonoma law enforcement. They wanted to see my resident ID, cautioned me that situation was still dangerous, and let me through. Blackie and I made it back home. I was very relieved to find my chickens frightened but largely unharmed. One chicken is still missing, but all the others are safe and accounted for.
The fire is still burning about 3 miles away in rugged, mountainous terrain. The wind has held up its progress and looks to continue to do so for the next few days. Right now, it’s a waiting and watching game. I have full phone and internet services. I can work.
Interestingly, the local birds are still around, but the normally abundant squirrels have vanished. They apparently don’t need text message alerts to know when to evacuate.
Holding down the fort behind the evacuation line in Sonoma County, California.
Marc Ash is the founder and former Executive Director of Truthout, and is now founder and Editor of Reader Supported News.
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
