"RING, RINGGGGGGGGGG!!!"

You know, the sound of dread in the middle of the night - at the very beginning of a Labor Day weekend vacation?

Startled awake at 3am- my work cell phone.

My boss, Hood River County Sheriff Matt English, on the line:

"Hey, we’ve got a fast moving wildfire on the Eagle Creek Trail. There are 162 hikers stuck out there. It’s burning below them, so the Crag Rats are out tracking them on the trail with Forest Service rangers.

“We’re going to escort them out, the other way, up past Wattum Lake. It’s our largest SAR (Search and Rescue) ever.

"There are families with small kids, a couple of dogs, and seniors - one has health challenges.

“It's a large group that started out in flip flops and Tevas for a day hike.

“They've been out there all night. They're trapped on the trail.

“We need you to get food and water.

“We need busses to bring them back to their cars, after they hike out.”

I’m Emergency Manager for Hood River County.

My friends call me "Disaster Girl."

That call was the start of an all day, every day Emergency Operations Center (EOC) response, for the Eagle Creek Wildfire - #1 fire in the nation, September 2017.

I activated Hood River EOC full time, with daily, hourly changes in evacuations. For 21 days.

All 162 hikers made it out safely - but that was only the beginning of the fastest moving wildfire we’d seen in years, torching our magnificent Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

There aren't words to describe how much grief we Gorge neighbors felt inside, stuffed down, while we all jump in around the clock to help win the battle against the beast.

Our job in the EOC is support first responders, and manage logistics for escalating community needs, like emergency shelters, evacuation planning, running a call center, and pushing out regular information. Bringing in helping hands to help our community get through this.

County residents suffered rapid evacuations, boil water notices, school closures, toxic smoke, traffic jams, and mixed communications.

It’s a scary time for everyone involved. When you work a disaster, you can’t cave to fear. But you pay for it later.

Disaster Girl. Disaster Dogs.

We've lived it before - and we have tips to help keep you, your pets, and your family safe.

Been there, done that. Here are my own first person dog mom lessons learned.

2020. It happened again across the west - Oregon and California wildfires raging, burning millions of acres, stealing homes and dreams.

An endless series of hurricanes back east. And global earthquakes.

Oh - and then there’s COVID.

Disaster Preparedness. It's not for "some day" - it could be any day.

August 11, 2020, 5pm

“Ring, ring! Ring, ring!”

After a ten hour work day, I was heading home, dog-tired on I-84.

My boss is calling, Sheriff English again.

I can see billowing smoke straight ahead.

“There’e a fast-moving fire in Mosier – Sheriff Magill (Wasco County) is calling for immediate evacuations. Can you help? Their Emergency Manager is out of town until the weekend.”

I roll up to Mosier Creek Fire. By 6pm, already 658 buildings are threatened, 40 homes are under immediate evacuation orders, (Level 3- GO!) running for their lives.

Hundreds more are under Level 2 - SET and Level 1 - READY evacuation.

Did I mention that I live in Mosier?

You know Murphy’s Law?

The guy who does what I do, for the County I live in - not the County I work for - was out of town. So the Emergency Manager next door was called in.

It happens when we least expect it.

You can count on it.

It was a scramble to get emergency shelters set up so quickly - it was already dark.

Now, in a time of COVID, a whole new Murphy is here. There’s a buzz word for it in my industry - non congregate shelters. Translation: social distancing meets emergency evacuations. Murphy squared.

Setting up a bank of 40 hotel rooms so quickly in peak tourism season in tiny Gorge towns with few hotels. More Murphy.

Within two hours, 39 people were safe in emergency shelters, with five dogs, two cats and a bird. More evacuated to campgrounds or sheltered with friends.

It’s such a weird year. We had the EOC activated for COVID for five months straight. We took one breath, had one day off, then this fire happened. And we’ve had back to back wildfires since then.

For the first time, we’re opening shelters in a whole new way, because of COVID.

The Mosier Creek Fire burned 971 acres in two weeks. 31 structures were lost, including 11 homes, burned to the ground.

It’s heartbreaking

Fires aren’t going away - they are escalating.

Oregon is having a catastrophic fire season - over one million acres burned.

Remember that one bad weekend from the Eagle Creek fire? Labor Day.

2020. Murphy is back.

Like 2017, Labor Day 2020 was the start. A catastrophic fire season across southern Oregon, western Oregon, eastern Oregon, and northern O - big cities, and small. Spectacular forests, remote rivers, national forest scenery, historic buildings, wonderful getaways, and entire neighborhoods. Gone.

I feel for my Emergency Management colleagues - and our Oregon neighbors, across the state - in Clackamas, Lane, Marion, Washington, Jackson, Josephine, Douglas and Lincoln Counties - even the Oregon coast. Burned or burning: 468 fires; more than a million acres; eleven people killed; evaporating thousands of homes. Some of these mega fires are not yet contained.

Hood River County Emergency Management opened nine evacuation sites to welcome Oregon evacuees this September. We’ve been there, done that. Our community wanted to help.

We are so sorry for your loss, Oregonians.

And Californians? Gosh. No relief in sight. I worry about you.

Colorado? OMG. What a beautiful state. SORRY to see that news.

Before the Eagle Creek Fire, Oregon was still reeling from another Presidentially declared emergency: a three-month winter storm, Snowmeggadon 2017, a.k.a. Snowpacalypse.

It was beautiful at first - like a Norman Rockwell winter painting.

And then it just kept snowing.

And then an ice storm topped it off. My dogs and I rolled in, to open the Hood River EOC.

But unlike Norman Rockwell, these things don't always have happy endings.

Oil train derailment in my hometown - June 2016

RING, RING.

“911, where is your emergency?”

“It’s Mosier. There’s a train derailment – 16 cars off the tracks. It’s a 5 mile long train carrying oil. There are possible explosions and a fire started. Kids are in school next to the train tracks. All City residents must be evacuated.”

Noon on a workday in Hood River, OR. I’m standing in 911-dispatch center when emergency calls came in about my hometown. My Mosier.

As a County Emergency Manager, I teach disaster preparedness.

But nothing can prepare you for the real thing.

It’s sudden. It’s emotional. It is YOUR home, YOUR world.

It happens.

When you least expect it.

Your car breaks down – you’re stuck in a snowstorm. You’re lost on a wilderness road. A flash flood in rainy season. A long-term power outage. These are more common disasters – when being prepared can save your life.

This one happened one month after my old basset hound went to heaven. I wasn’t ready for another disaster.

I got into the disaster business after the largest wildfire in California history, the Cedar Fire.*

I worked for San Diego Fire-Rescue Department before I moved to Oregon.

Emergency preparedness matters.

It can save lives.

It saved ours.

You know that quote, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans?”

Mosier oil train derailment – June 2016

We’re Mosierites -my basset, Dude, my doxie, Doodle, and our fat calico, Tia and I. We live in a dinky dog town, population 430.

We became famous in 2016. Or was it, infamous?

If I’d not been standing in 911 when the emergency calls came in, I might not have heard about it until it was too late.

I was the last car in, before the freeway shut down.

I ran home to evacuate my fur kids, and warn my neighbors.

Mosier residents had no water or sewer for three days – and no idea if Mosier would ever be the same.

First responders considered this a “small, localized incident,” but residents, businesses and tourists in seven counties across Oregon and Washington were stuck in a catastrophic traffic jam lasting 12 hours.

People abandoned their cars on the freeway and walked into town. Fire trucks from Portland couldn’t get in.

Roads within 60 miles of the Gorge were gridlocked. That’s a disaster within the disaster.

This wasn’t a widespread or catastrophic incident, like a Cascadia Subduction earthquake. Those traffic jams and water, sewer and power outages could last way longer.

Gorge residents had an 8-hour drive for their 10-minute commute.

Think about that. Heading home from work, you’re supposed to pick up the kids.

Or perhaps you’re leaving Portland for a Gorge weekend getaway.

What’s in your car right now? Do you have a Go-kit?

How would your family reconnect if separated?

What would you do? 

Related stories on DogDiary.org:

Oil Train derailment - this is not a drill - June 2016

There's a rainbow over Mosier - recovering from the train derailment - June 2016

Mosier gets its Mojo back - celebrating Columbia River Highway, community parade, recovery - July 2016

My first hometown evacuation.

Microwave Fire, Mosier, OR – August 2009

I’m up at midnight, making coffee, and packing up for the Hood to Coast relay.

I’ll be spending the night on the Oregon coast. The dog sitter will be over this afternoon to watch my kids.

RING RINGGG…..

At midnight. Never a good sign.

It’s my next-door neighbor.

“Have you looked out the window?”

I did. The whole landscape was a wall of fire.

In the background, the radio announcer: 

"Tomorrow’s forecast is a classic Gorge summer day – strong west winds, 25-35 mph and 85-90 degree temps.”

I’m a windsurfer. I LIVE for strong west wind and warm summer days.

Not today.

12:04 a.m. The power goes out. Pitch darkness as I’m packing to evacuate.

Note to self: headlamps. In the car. Or, hanging with keys near the front door.

Stranded.

Witch Creek Fire, San Diego, CA - October 2007 

The fur kids and I were moving from San Diego to Oregon. Everything we owned was packed into a semi truck last night. We were heading to Oregon the next day.

We camped out on the floor of our empty beach cottage before the 20 hour drive up I-5.

Daybreak. I opened the front door. Ashes raining down - all over Ocean Beach. From a wildfire 35 miles away - the Witch Creek Fire.

I-5 and most San Diego freeways were already closed. We couldn’t leave town, nor could the moving truck.

So here we are, in an empty house with no bed, furniture or groceries. I’ve got a bag of pretzels in the car. I have a hotel room reserved tonight in northern California, half way to Oregon.

We were supposed to leave now – a new family was moving in later today.

Stranded. 

I went back to volunteer for San Diego Fire-Rescue Department - helping firefighters and my CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers. We worked side by side. We DID something. It was rewarding.

Lesson learned: doing something helps.

Three days later, the freeways opened and we left for Oregon.

And we camped.

Lesson learned: Camping gear is your Go-Kit.

Trailers and motorhomes are evacuation shelters.

“Been there, done that” tip:  Don’t hesitate – Evacuate.

Don’t wait for the call – or a knock on the door.

Don’t just stand there and watch. Worry and wait.

These things happen so fast - your best move is to stay ahead of them.

Kick into problem-solving gear – don’t stay in “I can’t believe it” mode.

Do something to help.

Take action – quickly – be practical - help others.

Breathe.

Try your best to stay calm and focused. (Ya, right.)

Doing stuff helps.

In evacuations, you literally only have minutes.

What's first on the list? Living beings. Pack 'em up.

“Here kitty kitty…”

Immediately put the cat in a small room where she can’t hide (bathroom) while you find the pet carrier.

Don’t wait.

Once she smells smoke and fear, she will de-materialize.

You won’t find her, for evacuation.

Expect a scene. Putting the cat in the bag is where the joke came from.

Leash and contain the dogs, they will be stressed, too. My dogs always relax once they’re in the car, so you can do that early, if it’s not too hot.

Pack.

Go.

Go early.

Smoke can kill you faster than fire.

Animals are super-sensitive to smell.

This is what evacuation looks like

The hexagon pet playpen is the cat condo Tia lived in, after I evacuated her in the carry-on bag. The condo folds flat when not in use.

These work great for the dogs, too. I keep it in my car for weekend outings - and it's already packed if you have an emergency.  

Or, keep evacuation crates and pens next to your Go-Kit, camping gear and backup water supply in your shed or garage.

Not buried - when you need it - you need it NOW. Keep it near the door.

The cat condo was large enough to hold Tia's litter box and water bowl.

The best part was, she could see her dogs and me.

I was surprised how “happy” Tia was in her own condo for three days of evacuation.

(Cat = happy? In a disaster?) Not. Just sayin’, it worked.

Inexpensive nylon pet crates were temporary homes for the dogs – get one for each animal.

While evacuating, I tried putting the dogs together in the condo, like normal. But today was not normal and they fought.

Heads up - animals get stressed and need their own personal space. Separate crates for each of them.

And sometimes animals chew - particularly when stressed. So, those cheap crates might not make it through. Maybe you should upgrade.

Many emergency shelters won’t take pets, so have play pens and fold out pet fences to create makeshift play yards.

We were lucky to evacuate to a friends’ casita, where I could let the dogs out of the crates to hang out with me. But we can’t count on that luxury next time, particularly not in an emergency shelter.

You and your kids will need to hang out together. You will need down time. But you’ll be wound up. The crushed sense of humor and personal hygiene of stress will catch up with you.

You will need to stay together as a family if you can. You really need to see each other. All the time. And preferably touch and nap together.

As a pet parent - all you have for communication is body language. That's why visual contact is so important.

Hold them. Can you muster a soothing voice?

Calm down. Deep breaths.

Settle into the new norm.

Speaking of down time, I never realized the importance of a book, game or other distraction in my Go-Kit until this evacuation.

Make sure you have distractions - for everyone in the family.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to relax.

Mind racing….. scary bad thoughts…. fear.

Please make a family emergency plan.

THIS WEEK. SOON.

Where will you go?

How can you keep everyone together?

What if you are separated?

What if cell phones aren’t working – how will family members stay in touch?

What if they don't speak (like, say, your fur kid?) Don’t see, or hear? What special needs need attention?

Text people. Text takes less power and fewer bars, than talk. But your cell phone will die, sooner than you think. And it’s common to lose cell service in disasters.

Does everyone in your family know the out of state contact number to call or text, if you are separated? When local phones are down, long distance might work.

Use walkie talkies, ham radio or CB, if you have them.

Think old school communications. Leave a note on a bulletin board.

You can’t rely on cell or internet. 

How do you get information if power is out?

Listen to your car radio – and charge your cell phones for later (even if they're not working, you'll need them for contact info, photos of missing loved ones, home insurance pix.) 

Add a battery-powered AM/FM radio to your Go-Kit.

If broadcast radio and internet are down, look for official information on message boards in front of public buildings and fire stations.  

Do you have an emergency Go-Kit kit in the car? Beef it up in winter. You could be stranded on the road. In the snow.

Make a “Top 5, can't live with out it” evacuation list.

Be ready to pack and go - quickly.

In the derailment, I pulled out my evacuation list and only had time to gather my top three priorities. Those seemed like they took a couple of hours to pack into the car.

Time completely changes in a disaster. If you are better prepared, you are out quicker – and you have time to help your neighbors.

They’ll be in denial.

My “Top 5” evacuation list: 

1)    Living beings. Pets, kids, family and their survival needs.

2)    Laptop, external hard drives, charging cables - key documents and photos you’ll need if you lose everything. Grab files, if you’re old school.

3)   Only ONE or TWO* irreplaceable things from life on Planet Earth

Examples: wedding photo, kids’ grade school photo, business plan, grandpa’s letters, Dog Diary writing project. People that lost everything said the worst was not having their kids’ bad hair day/toothless school picture. You know, photos before digital photography saved the day? Irreplaceable.

DANGER! This could suck up all of your time. I keep all of my external hard drives and camera disks in one crate for easy grab-and-go access. Store these items together with your Top 5 evacuation list, so you don't have to think. You will NOT have time to hunt things down. Get out - save your life and your family - first. These are irreplaceable.

4) Cell phone chargers - and cables for wall power, car and battery backup. Those mobile pocket chargers save the day. Get them. Keep them charged in your car and Go-Kit . Have the right cables for each phone and each power source - car, AC and pocket charger.

“Been there done that” note: You burn cell phones in no time. I had a pocket charger for the phone but was missing the charging cable. I had a car charger but you can't stay in there forever. Have chargers and cables in your car - and duplicates in your Go-Kit. After evacuating, you won't get to AC power for a long time to charge phones and laptops. 

Text, don't call - it saves power and works when calls won’t. Turn off Wi-Fi- roaming drains your phone. Heads up - in most disasters, you probably won’t have cell service at all.  

5)   Emergency Go-Kit that supports your family for at least 3 days, preferably 2 weeks - food, water, supplies, spare clothes. Pack cash, keep your car fueled up.

Make a Family Go-Kit. A large kit at home, a small backpack for the car. 

Start with your travel/camping/weekender kit, or buy a starter kit - that's easiest.

Keep your family Go-Kit in an easy-to-reach place at home (mine: near the front door of my shed – not buried in back, right next to camping gear and water jugs.) A cooler or luggage on wheels makes it easy to move.

All cars should have an emergency kit – for home, work and travel use. You can buy pre-made backpacks online or at department stores. Start with your camping kit or gym bag and add items for all kinds of weather.

If dogs roam free in the car - make sure your Go-Kit backpack with food is in a safe location (I keep mine in the roof box.) My dog son Doodle is famous for finding every breakfast bar and food item on planet Earth, and carefully extracting them, leaving sealed containers remarkably untouched.

Go-Kit supplies – plan for 2 weeks:

-       Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for people and animals.

-       Water, one gallon per person, and per pet, per day, for at least three days.

This is the clunkiest item - but the most important. You can live without food for a while but not water. 

A camping filter and a water storage bag works if you live around water like we do - but is labor intensive. That can replenish your base of water storage.

I used a water dispenser outside the grocery store - but you'll need large containers to fill - and have to wait in line.

If you don't have quarters for this machine, you'll end up inside, in line, to get them - then get back in line outside to use them. Pack cash and quarters in your Go-Kit.

-       Radio, battery-powered or hand crank with NOAA weather and tone alert. 

-       Cell phones, cell chargers and charging cables for every device.  Car,  wall units, portable phone chargers. Hand held radios or other backup communications.

-       Gym bag with changes of clothes.

Coats, warm layers, tennies, socks, bathing suit. Extra undies.

-       Travel kit of toiletries and First aid kit

-       Flashlight, headlamp, cell phones; battery backups for radio, lights. Pocket chargers for cell phones.

-       Whistle to signal for help; dust mask or cotton t-shirt to filter the air

-       Sanitation  - moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties, TP. They have these easy, inexpensive toilet buckets you can buy with a nice seat (or make your own - a large round bucket like you get at Home Depot with a pool noodle to cover the top edge. It's a real disaster without a plan for where you will go.

-       Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. Know where and how shut off valves.

-       Manual can/bottle openers, dishes, eating and cooking supplies

-       Cash, maps, key documents – insurance info, contact info, emergency plan, photos of pets and family members.

-       Unique family needs – RX, glasses, infant formula, walker, cane, diapers, pet supplies.

Make a PET GO-KIT.

·      Soft-sided pet pens – one for each pet.

Pets need their own space. Hard-sided crates take up too much room in the car and are hard to carry. Get pop-up nylon crates and foldout pet pens, baby gates and mobile fencing.

If you have a trailer or motorhome, that's your ready-made evacuation shelter.

·      Beds with their own smell, for each pet

·      A week’s worth of food and water. Keep in pet-proof containers. Make sure they are Doodle-proof, not just water proof. Doodle is a doggie Houdini when it comes to food. Your pets will spend a lot of time in the car, with your Go-Kit. Heads up!

·      Cat box, litter and scoop. 

·      Poop bags. Sealed container for used bags - you won't have access to outside garbage cans – you do not need stink in a disaster.

·      Leashes, harnesses, ropes

·      Water and food bowls

·      Bones, rawhide, favorite toys, Rescue Remedy – anything that offers comfort or distraction.

·      Pet first aid kit

Disasters = stress. About denial.

In emergencies, you and your neighbors will be in denial. Some think they can hunker down and it will all just go away. They want to be home to cope (don’t we all?)

But don’t take that risk -- save your life. Don't hesitate - evacuate.

The Morning After

There’s a new round of baggage. Yes, it really did happen. This isn't a TV show where it's all-better the next day.

The stress is almost worse The Morning After.

Plan a diversion for you and the kids - books, games, music, toys. Turn off your brain. Journal if that helps.

You’re overloaded - not social. Hunkered down. You won't want to talk about it yet.

From train derailment and wildfires – here's what we learned:

· Plan ahead for one bad moment – at any moment.

· Don't take one moment of normal life for granted.

· Plan how you'd take action - if suddenly, everything changed.

Written with heartfelt thanks to people that help us in emergencies,

Barb, Doodle and Tia Ayers    

Surf Dog Diaries / www.DogDiary.org

Emergencies we've been through:

Cedar Fire – San Diego, CA, 2003:

The Cedar Fire was the largest wildland fire in California history, until recently*. It started 25 miles east of San Diego, in the Cleveland National Forest.

The blaze destroyed 280,278 acres, killed 15 people and destroyed 2,820 buildings before being contained. The loss was estimated at $204 million.

*Cedar fire was the largest wildfire in CA history for 14 years. Now, Cedar Fire is #8 behind seven mega fires in the last four years.

Witch Creek Fire – San Diego, CA, Oct. 2007

Arcing power lines whipped by winds started a small fire in the remote Witch Creek area. The Guejito Fire started in rural San Pasqual Valley around the same time. The two fires from relatively uninhabited areas merged – and triggered the largest evacuation in San Diego county history.

500,000 people evacuated. 200,000 acres burned, 1141 residences were destroyed and two people died.

Microwave Fire – Mosier, OR - Aug. 2009      

The entire city of Mosier evacuated as the Microwave fire whipped through scenic Oregon forests on a windy summer day. Dry fuel conditions caused extreme fire behavior and threatened City residences.

The fire burned 650 acres of Columbia River National Scenic Area, grass and brush. Three homes and an outbuildings were destroyed and the fire burned right down to Interstate 84. The fire cost over $1 million to fight, with 750 firefighters from around the state as well as several helicopters and scores of heavy equipment.

Oil train derailment – Mosier, OR - June 3, 2016

16 Union Pacific oil tankers derailed in downtown Mosier. A plume of smoke blackened the Pacific Northwest's scenic landscape. Train car explosions started a wildfire in the Mosier forest, threatening nearby homes and Mosier school, triggering hasty school and city evacuation.

The cars released oil, contaminating the City’s sewer system and groundwater. An oil sheen was seen on the Columbia River, 500 feet away, and Rocky Creek, where salmon spawn. 

The accident closed Interstate 84 in both directions. Portions of the interstate reopened 11 hours later. Residents were without water or sewer services for three days during the incident.

Eagle Creek Fire, Columbia River Gorge - Sept. 2017

Started by a teenager throwing illegal fireworks in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic area forest. Burned 50,000 acres over three months and was the #1 wildfire priority in the US, impacting Hood River and Multnomah Counties.

Mosier Creek Fire, OR - August 2020

Started around 5pm on a work day and caused immediate evacuations affecting nearly 700 houses. Burned for two weeks. 31 buildings were lost, including 11 Mosier homes.

2020 Oregon wildfire season

This summer has been one of the most destructive on record in the state of Oregon. 18 major wildfires from August to October killed at least 11 people, burned more than one million acres of land, and destroyed thousands of homes. This doesn’t count the many smaller fires destroying land in our Gorge counties, like the Mosier Creek Fire, Fir Mountain Fire and Hood Mountain Fire.