It began on a recent Monday afternoon. A day that had begun with bright blue skies and happy chatter among house guests was transformed. First the wind started. Not a breeze, it was the kind of wind that knocked around the furniture on our back deck and sent planters flying.
Then the sky turned, first gray, then to yellow and finally a dark orange that refused to let the sun through as the smoke piled into the area.
In the dark, red and blue lights lit up the smoke that shrouded Highway 22. One after another, fire trucks, police cars and other emergency vehicles raced eastward, chased by the sound of their sirens, disappearing into the black unknown.
Through the night a realization settled in: the thousands of people who lived up the Santiam Canyon were caught in a fiery nightmare. The violent wind not only knocked out power – fallen electrical lines set fires up and down the canyon and even torched the firefighters’ headquarters.
Worse, the wind fanned the 500-acre Beachie Creek Fire near Jawbone Flats into more than 180,000 acres in a few days.
People raced for their lives as the fires closed in on the highway, creating – in some places – a tunnel of flames. Unable to leave, others sought refuge in the waters of the North Santiam River until rescuers could arrive.
Tuesday, the outlook was dire as much of the canyon burned, but it only got worse. The wind that had created the inferno started to push the flames northwest, ripping through the forests and heading toward another fire to join forces and continue the path of destruction.
The scene was apocalyptic, and was being repeated around Oregon, California and Washington state.
As we packed up Tuesday to evacuate our home amid flickering lights, we knew one thing: we knew the strength of character of Oregonians was unique.
Disaster is not new to Oregon.
Windstorms, check… the 1962 Columbus Day windstorm. Forest fires, check… like the Tillamook Burns that started in 1933 and leveled 355,000 acres before they ended in 1951.
But the combination of wind and fire caught us all in awe. The power and fury of fire spiraling through the crowns of trees and leveling house after house was unmatched. “It was like a locomotive,” one survivor said of the fire.
Except this locomotive doubled in size every hour.
Up the canyon and around the state, we are still grieving over the losses of life and property. Some of the fires are subsiding – thank God – and others are still working their white-hot evil.
But the character and spirit of Oregonians is not dimmed. In fact, it glows brighter than ever. It is a spirit of resilience, of caring, of strength and community.
The first responders, volunteers, those who have donated money, clothes and caring – all have stepped forward in this time of need.
They say a hero is someone who runs into a burning building when others are running out. They say that adversity only makes you stronger.
I believe that, and I believe that Oregonians will prevail through the pain, the suffering, the losses. I believe that by the time the last ember is extinguished Oregonians will have met the test.
And I believe this about my friends and neighbors, acquaintances and total strangers who share this great state:
I believe: You. Are. Heroes.
Carl Sampson is a freelance writer and editor. He lives in Stayton.
