Light at the end of the tunnel?

Thank you, one and all, for your prayers and concern. We are grateful beyond words.

The fires are starting to ease. Weather conditions have slacked off from the "Perfect Storm" combination that had caused such record explosive conditions, and the massive reinforcements-- more than 500 firefighters from all over the country-- are beginning to gain ground. The area only (only!) grew by 3,000 acres last night, a vast improvement over the incredible speed of the previous couple of days. That brings the total to 159,000 acres. The experts estimate it to be 15-20% contained, which doesn't mean security by any means; but it's better than the estimated 2% containment only 24 hours ago. Progress.

There is another community meeting scheduled for this afternoon, to update the public. Stillwater County is reporting that "brief, limited access" will likely be permitted into the evacuated areas today, to allow people to quickly check on their property and any pets and livestock that could not be rounded up (critters can be stubborn things, hiding in canyons and crevices when they should be moving to safety. This is how Noah lost the unicorns, remember?). There are still hot spots, however; so the emphasis will be on "limited" and "brief."

I was able to track down all of my parishioners, finally. The last evacuee called this morning, to let me know where she was: safe in a hotel, complete with husband and all five cats. The organist's house is the only one confirmed lost thus far. There are two others with homes in high risk areas, and we hope to hear more about them at the meeting today. The rest have every hope of going back to intact houses, once the evacuation orders are lifted.

Sweet Jesus, this has been a time. More updates later, as I have them.