coming at you only 6 miles away now? That's what we're doing right now. There's a clearcut between us and that mass of flames, so the firefighters are hoping it will slow enough tonight for the tankers to hit that leading edge early. Temp should be 45 tonight with intermittent clouds tomorrow, but somehow none of that reassures me very much tonight. It was 50% contained till 3 hours ago, and the wind kicked up and it went racing through the treetops again.
Tha mountain sure is bright orange at the ridge. There's no doubt now that it's coming down into LostPrairie. Sure looks scary at night. Won't be much sleep this night.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :
Pierre, our hopes and prayers are with you. Somewhere in all that mess, my oldest son Michael is driving a water tanker. They flew him out of Portland Tuesday evening.
------------------ Jerry Mathel Jerry Mathel Signs Grants Pass, Oregon signs@grantspass.com
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
Thanks, Jerry. If you hear from him, tell him to dump the whole load on the big blue house on LostPrairie Road.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Pierre, so sorry to learn that the fire is so close to you. Wish I could say something to make you feel better or safer but of course I can't. But I can assure you that my thoughts & prayers are with you and yours.
Kathy PS Get that Pelucid out of there I don't want to see ya flying through the air all the way down here in Louisiana!!!
------------------ Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454 PH. (504)386-3313 casey@i-55.com
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist.
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
Thanks, Kathy. I'm always in bed by 9 since I get up a 4am to head for town to open the studio, but I'll probably be on the internet tonight watching for reports. Kinda dumb, eh, since I can see it from here. Every once in a while a huge Tamarack goes up in a flash of flames that seems to reach up forever. We're insured, of course, but the recording studio has vintage, irreplaceable equipment in it that I could never replace. My son is bringing the biggest U-Haul he can find out to the house. Hope we don't need it in the morning.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
One can only imagine what it must feel like to be staring down such a large monster, only 6 miles away.
I wish you the best of luck, although you'll probably be real busy in the morning and I know you won't any time for the net.
------------------ Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA bob@creativesignworks.com
"Some people's kids"
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
Good morning, Bob. It hasn't moved too much in the last 4.5 hours. We're (neighbors) all meeting at daylight here. We have tractors and bush-hogs, so we intend to cut the meadow immediately. Lat and I are going to cut more of the trees near the house to the north. The closest stand is only 60' away, so we're breaking out the chainsaws in another hour. The air tankers intend to begin hitting the leading edge at first light. If the wind stays down long enough, we should be ok. We have 5 gallons of Barricade Gel showing up fedex early in town. Rosemary's going to get it to LostPrairie. It'll be more than enough to coat the house and the studio building. I probably won't be back on the net until we've done what we can. The cloud cover is moving in now and the internet satellit picture shows the possibilty of light rains for our area. That would be an extremely welcome event right now. We have a large U-Haul standing by here. Later, guys.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Oh, Pierre, were it not for the many deliverances that I've witnessed in the past, the knots in my stomach would be untie able. I trust you'll survive this adventure and be closer to the neighbors following this. Please tell me what barricade gell is?
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I've always believed in taking something bad and making something useful out of it. Got any marshmellows, Pierre?
Personal > walldog@nc.rr.com Business > creativesigns@bbnp.com
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
Just on the way out the door, Rick, but Barricade Gel is a substance applied with water, under pressure, to structures. It coats and prevents them from bursting into flames. You can read about it at www.barricadegel.com . I should have had this schtuff here long ago. Gotta split, guys. I'll be back on as soon as we're done doing what we can.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Chris Elliott (Member # 1262) on :
best wishes & prayers to you, your family & everyone that's fighting this fire. We're all pullin' for you!!
------------------ Chris Elliott 1longshot@msn.com cell 620-845-0264
Posted by J & N Signs (Member # 901) on :
I know the feeling Pierre. We had the same experience two years ago. The town was evacuated. Same thing in 1969. This is when you truly appreciate the fire jumpers and fighters. Good luck.
------------------ Mario G. Lafreniere aka Fergie.
jnsigns@onlink.net Chapleau, Ontario home of "The World's Largest Game Preserve" Spring is upon us,in Shania Twain Country. Farewell snow,here comes the mosquito!
"I cut it twice and it's still too short!"
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
Pierre,
I'm pulling for you too! If only we could blow all this humidity and rain yer way!
------------------ PEACE SIGNS Big on Murals and Tight on Camera Ready!
"With every breath, we have a choice." --Linda Silver Eagle Georgia, USA
Posted by Sharon Bigler (Member # 2203) on :
Pierre, Rosemary and Lat, You, your neighbors and all the firefighters have my prayers. I hope it rains like crazy!
------------------ Sharon Bigler A Good Sign Chambersburg, PA
Posted by Marty Happy (Member # 302) on :
Those fires must be the reason our Southern Saskatchewan sunshine has been 'orangey' for the last few days. Hope those fires get knocked out real quick!
------------------ Marty Happy Signmaker Since 1974 Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada S4N 5K4
Thanks, guys. Whatever you did must be working. 50% contained with the air tankers, helicopters and ground crews. The wind is strong, but out of the southwest, so it's blowing the leading edge right into a large clearcut area, missing the dense woods to the east. We cut the meadow right down to the ground and we have a tractor running a rake right now. Unless the wind shifts coming from the west or northwest, LostPrairie will remain intact! Good grief..........what a night. I'm going to get some sleep. Later, Guys, and thanks for the positive vibes and prayers.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Sharon Bigler (Member # 2203) on :
Wonderful.
------------------ Sharon Bigler A Good Sign Chambersburg, PA
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
We'll do a rain dance here for you. Best of luck and keep us posted if you can.
------------------ Sonny Franks Sign Creations Atlanta
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Hi, Pierre, Sorry, late coming in on this, but glad to hear that things are looking up. Our thoughts are with you.
------------------ Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA wpreston2@stny.rr.com
Posted by Steve Robinson (Member # 2215) on :
I have to tell you that reading this is like a suspense movie....I sure hope everything works out for the best....as for the marshmellow guy...bad timing.
------------------ Stephen Michael Robinson Steve's Pinstriping Houston, Texas
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
It's RAINING!!! Where there were pillars of flame and huge columns of black smoke, there are now tendrils of white smoke. I can clearly see the mountainside through binoculars now. What a shame. All those Tamaracks and Yellow Pine are charred skeletons now. Actually the elk, deer and other critters love the charcoal aftermath. Thank God for the tenacity of the firefighters. If you want to thank somebody else, go ahead. This was a cleansing experience for us. Thanks for the good thoughts, guys!
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Great news Pierre. Glad things are turning in your favor. Good luck.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Glad to hear all is well...my wife's favorite place in the whole world is Kalispell...when she was younger she was on an all girl fire crew there,so she knows what you are going thru, while I can only imagine.
Are the fires still going?
------------------ Monte Jumper SIGNLanguage/Norman.Okla.
Posted by Sharon Bigler (Member # 2203) on :
I saw on the news this morning that the fires are kicking back up. Are you still ok?
------------------ Sharon Bigler A Good Sign Chambersburg, PA
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
Hi, Sharon. Ours is OUT! Not even a wisp of smoke on the mountain. Just burned trees silhouetted against the bright blue sky this morning. It's going to be a great day. Thanks for asking!
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Sharon Bigler (Member # 2203) on :
Yes, it IS a great day! And the miracle of it all is that in a few years, you won't even know there was a fire.
------------------ Sharon Bigler A Good Sign Chambersburg, PA
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
For things that are out of our control, God takes care of, if you ask. I am sure you did and I am glad the danger is over, at least for now...God Bless
------------------ Arvil Shep' Shepherd Art by Shep Oak Island, NC shep@ec.rr.com http://artbyshep.homestead.com/index.html " As long as they say your name, you will live forever"
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Steve,
I'm sorry if you think my little "marshmellow" joke was bad timing. Maybe it was. But sometimes when a major disaster is happening, you just have to smile, take things the best way you can and even make a joke once in a while.
Believe me, I know from personal experience. You probably aren't aware of the fact that our shop was wiped out almost 2 years ago by Hurricane Floyd. We had nearly 6 1/2 feet of water. What could we do? So I just quipped that we were Wilson's newest water park.
Sorry if you thought it was bad taste. But, I think Pierre knew where I was coming from.
Personal > walldog@nc.rr.com Business > creativesigns@bbnp.com
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Glenn, I certainly realized you were reliving the terror you went thru - I remember your post: It's gone, it's all gone.....
And Pierre, Rosemary, I "sweated" with you and am so grateful it did not come to more than a bad scare. I saw Yellowstone in the early nineties, right after that bad fire there. I had a visual to draw on and it was not pretty.
I bet it was a good feeling to know we're pulling for you and aware and sending you good vibes.
------------------ Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC V 336-722-1033/F 336-723-6112 signslimited@triad.rr.com
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
I'm glad that your advemture had a happy ending, Pierre. Vic G
When I was a kid living in southern California, the mountains around our homes caught fire. There was a big field between our homes and the mountain. Our house was on the end of the street nearest the field with a street between. The whole field was on fire and the telephone poles across the street were burning. It was a very scary situation, all we could do was spray water on the roof and hope it didnt catch on fire. Luckily it never did. I think we moved shortly after that.
I understand where both you and Glenn are coming from,we face that situation here anytime theres a hurricane,all you can do is sit and wait and hhope it goes the other way...sux
------------------ Gavin Chachere aka Zeeman Miller Supply Co./Ozone Signs & Grafix New Orleans La. www.millersupply.net www.ozonegrafix.com
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
Pierre,
I am so relieved that you and your family are safe! Glad to know that somebody listens when we have an urgent burden on our hearts!
------------------ PEACE SIGNS Big on Murals and Tight on Camera Ready!
"With every breath, we have a choice." --Linda Silver Eagle Georgia, USA
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
I let Lyn sit up at the computer for a bit this morning to read this thread. She's amazed and pleased at the sentiments. Thank all of you.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
When I wrote the letter to you the other day, I was visualizing my trip to beautiful Montana with my kids in 1990. Most breathtaking and green; later to go to the Badlands (all white stone with blue skies) and then on to Yellowstone, where the scenery blended into charred aftermath of the once-green home to many mountain creatures. The sight was overwhelming and something we could not prepare ourselves for. It was a year after the great fire, but little had grown back. When I grew up we experienced the tornados in Illinois and the one I remember most was the one that devastated the small town of Belvidere which is portrayed in the Millenium Mural of the Belvidere Walldog collection. (We lived 20 miles away but there were friends and family affected.) And in Florida the hurricanes that came through and missed our family for 14 years. Others were not so lucky. Glad you got the equipment out just in the nick of time, and thanks for the letter this morning.
------------------ Deb**Creative Signs (and more)
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Its not ALL out yet Pierre. The folder next to this topic is still burning.
So happy to hear you are safe. Hope it stays that way. We had a fire here in the U.P. a few years ago. My town wasn't in danger but I drove thru the area when it was almost out. That was scary enough. I can't imagine what its like when its at your back door.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
