Canyon Fire

Last Sunday we were preparing for an early Labor Day barbecue celebration when we noticed a small puff of smoke on the other side of Tehachapi Mountain. Being the peak of fire season, the sight wasn't unexpected, albeit disconcerting. We went about our day keeping an eye on the billowing smoke, noting the expanding cloud as the day progressed. As guests arrived, the air traffic picked up.

Several of these little guys were circling along with multiple helicopters carrying buckets.

 A pod-carrying DC-10 was called into action, too.

The reason for the big gun was this:

Dry vegetation and wind proved the perfect combination for an out-of-control wildfire.

Despite the distant threat and strong smell of smoke, we opted to take up post at the end of our street and gawk at the destruction.

For me, it was easier to stay calm when all you could see was smoke. When flames appeared over the crest of the mountain a few miles away, I allowed myself to feel a bit anxious.

The dichotomy of the right and left side of the image below strikes a chord of dissonance.

The aerial fire fighting was put on hold as the sky darkened, but the wind was blowing away from our home. We were able to sleep knowing we were not in any immediate danger, but felt sorrow for those whose homes were now in the path of the flames. 

The cause of this fire was a small airplane crash. I don't believe a cause of the crash has been determined, but the two occupants did not survive. Many homes and thousands of acres of land were lost to this fire. It is still flaring in some areas, but it is considered mostly contained.