What is it about possessing things? Why do we feel the need to own what we love? And why do we become such jerks when we do? We’ve all been there. You want something, you possess it – and by possessing it, you lose it. – Chris Stevens (Chris-in-the-Morning), “Northern Exposure” TV series
When we returned home from Grand Cayman, northern Minnesota was on fire. Three wildfires from natural causes were burning, adding to the smoke from Canadian fires. During our vacation, the smoke blanketed Duluth, causing air quality warnings. Thankfully, we missed that, but once we were home evacuation warnings sounded for areas near our cabin.
What could we do against a wildfire if it chose to overrun our cabin? We live an hour away and weren’t sure how worried we should be. One of my relatives called me and suggested we stand outside our cabin with garden hoses. Luckily, a cabin neighbor was fighting the fire and was able to give us a clue about the conditions. He thought we’d be okay. But out of an abundance of caution, a few days later when the fire had crept within two miles of our cabin, we decided to evacuate some belongings “just in case.”
Deciding what to evacuate was an interesting exercise. It wasn’t easy, but we were thankful that we weren’t like many people who only had minutes to evacuate. Eventually, we decided on bringing our Scamp trailer camper home, which was stored in our cabin garage. We needed it in the next few weeks for a trip to Colorado, and it would have been very inconvenient to have it burned to a crisp!
My photos were the other things we saved. We decorated the cabin with many canvases and metallic prints of images that you’ve probably seen in past blog posts. I have a photo show coming up in July, and it would have been a bummer to have those all burned up. Not to mention, expensive to replace. (To see my online photo collection, visit my website.) We decided to leave the furniture until a more imminent threat arose. Some of our good friends volunteered the use of their truck if we needed it and we felt lucky to have such support.
Thankfully, we didn’t need their help. Due to the efforts of state and local fire folks, the blaze was stopped soon after we evacuated our belongings. I’m glad our cabin survived and I’m glad no lives were lost in the blaze. Our firefighter friend told us the fire began due to a spontaneous combustion of a hay bale on a farm.
Once it was over, we drove down the road that flanked the fire. Several trailer homes were lost and possibly one “regular” home, plus many trees. The damage was sobering, and I was glad that we took the measures that we did. However, we would have been much more nervous if the fire had threatened our primary home.
Besides people and pets, what would you save if a fire came for your home? It’s something to consider.
Marie's Meanderings 
I think I’d save my laptop, passport, and my list of online passwords, my purse, and food for the cat!
That sounds like a good list!
Very sorry about that scary situation, Marie. Glad your cabin was spared; it’s so random what properties don’t get spared. 😦
Thanks Dave. Fires truly seem to be “an act of God” that way (in terms of sparing). I suppose a good sprinkler system would help, too.
Yes!
That was a little to close, Marie! Gratefully you cabin was spared. It is better to be prepared and think about what you would take if you have to evacuate quickly. With hurricanes we can time.
Hi Jo Nell! Yes, it was close. Now, I guess we know what to do in case it happens again. It’s so good the talented weather and fire behavior people we have to give us warning. Makes me sad to see some of these programs cut now.
Spontaneous combustion of a hay bale started a big fire!! If that’s true, and I suppose it is, then it makes me wonder why that doesn’t happen kind of commonly.
I think the conditions need to be just right for the combustion to occur — that could be why it doesn’t happen more often. I think it can also happen with grain (elevators) and coal piles, but people have learned what those conditions are, and to mitigate them. We often see the coal piles in our port being sprayed with water in the summer.
Fires are scary whether it is a forest fire or a “normal” house fire. They are just so unpredictable. I am happy that they were able to get these fires under control without anyone losing their lives, and I’m also happy that your cabin was spared. If faced with something like this, I would take what couldn’t be replaced, such as old family photos and keepsakes.
Thanks, Diana. I agree with you about saving the “irreplaceables,” like family keepsakes and photos. For our cabin, we seemed to save the “inconvenienceables:” things that would mess up our upcoming plans.
I’ve given this some thought, but the scenario regards tornadoes. I’d grab my laptop and make sure my wallet (with debit and credit cards) is with me. Those are the bare minimums.
It’s interesting how many people said they’d save their laptops, but I suppose that makes sense since we’re bloggers! I’d save mine, too, or at least my external backup drive. Have a good 4th, Swabby.
How frightening! But at least you had time to rescue some of your possessions. I’m so glad things turned out alright for you. I know how scary fires can be. We had a narrow escape many years ago when our neighbor’s house burned down during the night and the fire spread to our house. Thankfully the firefighters were able to douse the fire before it did too much damage, but the experience of waking up and seeing the flames, getting the children out of the house and debating whether we should go back in and rescue anything was terrifying.
Hello Sue. Wow, your experience with your house fire does sound terrifying! I’m glad it turned out okay, for you anyway. What would we do without firefighters? I made some cookies for our firefighter neighbor in thanks for all he did.
Wow, you were really lucky.
We only once saw a wildfire in Portugal many years ago. It was frightening. We are not endangered by fires but rather by water here at the coast.
Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Yes, we felt very lucky to avoid the fire! And you’re right, water can be just as dangerous. Thanks for reading Fab Four!
I would pack my passport, my laptop, the box of tiny gifts my kids have given me over the years and my music notations (the plan is to digitize them soon)
That sounds like a good list, Nimi.
That’s so scary! I’m not sure what I’d take if I had to evacuate, aside from important papers and some keepsakes. I guess I really need to think about this!
There have been so many wild fires lately, and large ones that are difficult to control. Glad your cabin in safe. Maggie