Almost 2 weeks ago California saw a rare lightening event with over 11,000 lightening strikes over 72 hours. This started close to 400 fires throughout the state including two of the largest complex fires that would quickly become among the top 2 fires in state history.

One of these complex fires, the SCU Lightening Complex fire, grew quickly to affect 6-7 counties, and became the state’s 2nd largest fire at over 360,00 acres and growing, currently at only 15% containment.

I tell you these stats because one of the affected counties is the county that we live in. It should easily become the states largest fire ever and, sadly, due to the number of other fires right now, it only has 20% of the resources of a 2018 fire that was half the size.

While I experienced fear heading into my brain surgery, this was a different level of fear. One that I had never experienced before.

We started making several plans in case we had to evacuate immediately. We bought gallons of water beyond those we already had on hand. We purchased additional items needed that we could pack our vehicles with. We ensured that the tanks were both full. We thought through Plans A, B, and C of where’d we evacuate to based on how angry the fire became. A neighbor/friend of mine got together one night to discuss ideas. I watched the daily live press conferences. We looked at the live map that CalFire kept updated. I checked the AQI (air quality index) all day long. I wore a mask while walking outside even when I was alone out of fear for the type of air I may be breathing. I called to review to our homeowner’s insurance. We ensured to gather our valuables and essential items to put them in strategic areas. It was hard to breath while outside at times and ash covered our car.

I attended a town hall (my first ever!) that had the city managers, fire chiefs, police chiefs, and mayors from our town and another one as well as the overall incident commander and his deputy in charge of operations. Following the updates, I asked if where we lived in town needed to be prepared to evacuate. Thanks to it not being windy and no additional lightening strikes (as they originally predicted), we were safe.

While this was my first experience with this type of fear and I hope it’s my last, I know other people based on where they live in the country have experienced this several times throughout their lives whether it be wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, or any other destructive force.

And while this article is personal to me, those being affected by the other fires taking place, those in the path of Hurricane Laura, and so many others facing similar events are in my thoughts.

If you enjoyed this article, consider signing up for my weekly newsletter.

The following is a SoundCloud version of this article in case you prefer to listen to via audio.