Fire!
August 31st, 2009Back in 1975 or 76 when my family lived in La Crescenta, the mountains up above our house burned from near Simi Valley to Pomona, it was horrible.
I remember sitting in the back seat of my parents red and white Impala with stacks of our personal items all around me. I also remember my Dad telling me not to look at the mountains for fear of it giving me nightmares.
Well, as a curious kid like most, I couldn’t resist looking and will never forget seeing the flames towering into the night sky. Our house was 4 streets below the wild chaparral and manzanita that was lighting up like roman candles.
The news guys said the flames were 40′ high and I bleieve it, it was insane. Well, it’s no news to all of you that La Crescenta, La Canada, Altadena and Tujunga are going through it all over again. I drove up to survey my sisters house (totally safe) and see where the fire was in comparison to 30 years ago when I was a boy.
When I was there the other night it was to the East of my old house, but have yet to know if the mountain straight above my old house burned or not. I will be curious to see if one landmark survives this most recent attack.
When the boys that lived on my street would skate and bike, we’d look at the top of the mountain and there was what looked like one massive tree perched on top and all alone. In my mind I’ve always labeled that place Big tree though it was only in my mind. I never have hiked to Big Tree, but it’s a place I’ve always dreamed of visiting.
Not too long before I left home I was told that Big Tree was actually a bunch of trees all clumped together. Maybe some day I’ll get there, but for now I’ll have to wait for the fires to clear and hope that Big Tree has survived.
These pictures were made on Sunday night the 30th. Our prayers are with all those effected by these fires.
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