*In a heartfelt reflection on the ongoing wildfire crisis in California, Mark Schoenrock, a EURweb associate, shares his personal experiences as he navigates the challenges posed by the blazes threatening his community.
Writing from the heart of Pasadena, Schoenrock describes the stark reality of living too close to the Eaton Canyon fire and being a mere stone’s throw away from the Sylmar fire.
His vivid account underscores not just the physical dangers but also the emotional toll such disasters can exert, from the existential dread of potential loss to the overwhelming presence of ash swirling in the air and the acrid smoke that hangs like a specter over the region.
Through his poignant narrative, Schoenrock eloquently captures the profound sense of vulnerability and resilience that permeates the lives of those living in areas threatened by these relentless wildfires.
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I’ve been spending all day at work counting my blessings. The shop where I work is here in the heart of Pasadena, California, and a little too close to the Eaton Canyon fire than I’d like to be. Later, when I go home, I’ll be in the San Fernando Valley, which puts me perilously close to one of the other four fires going, this being in Sylmar. Close enough that I have already been notified of an evacuation warning.
All of a sudden the reality hit me that it’s possible I could lose my home. And with any home comes a lot of stuff. I’m no hoarder, but I have many things of sentimental value that I would never want to lose. Now comes the existential dread, one day I will die and none of these things will come with me in the end. I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this. This stress is like a domino effect.
In the meantime, out here in Pasadena, I can see ash falling right in front of me. The sky is completely orange when it’s even visible. Branches and debris are everywhere. The air even feels toxic to just breathe. I also drove past an evacuation center on my way to work, which is really why I’m counting my blessings. Seeing my fears come to reality in actual people, up close. They had to leave their homes and their sentiments behind. Some will get them back and some won’t.
The reality of death comes all too suddenly to them as well. Stress is a killer and one thought leads to the next and can spiral even the most fortuitous of us out of control. And unfortunately for some, the fire has taken their lives. As of the time of writing this, there have been statistics released detailing structures lost (in the thousands) and lives lost (5 as of this posting).
I won’t list them here, they will only grow by the time you read this, and that’s not my point. If you have been affected by this firestorm, even in the smallest proportion like in my case, just inconvenienced by debris and bad air and scary thoughts, use this experience to empathize with people less fortunate than you have been.
Not just for here, but for any crisis in the world. Whether from Mother Nature or the cruelty of mankind and war. Positive thoughts go a long way, and the world can use more of them. I know I can. Stay safe out there.
Mark Schoenrock is based in Southern California. You can contact him via [email protected]
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