Saturday, April 25, 2009

Wildfires are Scary Stuff

This is the way it looks heading from North Carolina into South Carolina. North Myrtle beach is only an hour or so away from my house. The area that burned is one of the places we use to take the kids to see the fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Home owners from the development called Barefoot Landing coming home to find their home gone. This subdivision lost 70 houses alone. The fire jumped from street to street, burning some and leaving others untouched. I have always found that to be the epitome of randomness.
This is one of the resorts across from Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach boasts of some of the nicest and oldest golf courses on the East Coast. They also have the most putt putt golf places I personally have ever seen. I think the pink sky from the fire really tells you how hot that must have been. The pink is almost pretty if you didn't know that it was houses and businesses burning up.
Here is a couple sitting on their back porch across the strand from the fire. This must have been difficult. The whole coastal area is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Inter coastal Waterway. This waterway is made up of fresh water. It splits and meanders and is fed by creeks, streams and rivers. We call some of that strands. These waterways create vast swamps and wetlands. Areas that are boggy and full of peat. That is what is burning here. So far 20,000 acres or 33 square miles.
This is US 17 that runs along the coast in North Carolina and South Carolina. When I was coming home the other night from my road trip I kept smelling smoke. It was dark and late and I was in an area that the White Swamp and the Green Swamp are in, also a large fresh water lake - Waccamaw and another river. This area is noted for the fog. However, you could not see five feet in front of you for the smoke. I can't imagine what being really close is like.

So, please pray that this thing does not come any closer to North Carolina and that the wonderful firefighters are able to fully extinguish this monster. There are a lot of people out there who have lost everything and could certainly use our thoughts and prayers.

5 comments:

Talking Horses Arts said...

This is just beyond words....of course we will pray for all of you! My heart goes out to does who lost everything...can not say anymore...it makes me cry!
May god protect and bless all of you out there!!!!
Andrea.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing these very moving photographs. My husband and I love the South Carolina (Charleston) area. We visit these areas frequently and are so saddened by such distruction. I am praying for all those effected by this fire. The one image with the bright pink sky over the town made me think of images I have seen of the city of Atlanta burning during the civil war. I just found your blog and will be visiting again!

Beverley Baird said...

I will be praying for both South and North Carolina. This reminds me so much of the devastation in Australia. Thank you for sharing these photos.
My brother lives in Pittsboro. This is hitting close.
Take care of yourself!

Kate Carvellas said...

Oh my, these photos brought tears to my eyes. Living in Southern California I am very aware of the sorrow and devastation these fires cause. Your words and these amazing pictures really makes what is happening there sink into the bones! I will be praying that the winds die down and the humidity increases. Or, better yet..A big rainstorm hits! Thank you for sharing all of this!!

Unknown said...

Gosh, that looks more horrifying than on the news. Is it contained/over now?

I grew up mostly near Charleston, SC, so have been several times to Myrtle Beach, and have a soft spot in my heart for it. Hope all is well there now. Truly feel for those who lost so much.