FIRE SEASON IS AGAIN UPON US
Note: According to the PCTA, there are six current fire closures along the length of the PCT. The Vista Fire has closed 17 miles of the trail north and west of the Swarthout Canyon near Cajon Pass. The Shelly Fire northwest of Etna in Northern California has closed 27 miles of the trail. Several fires has resulted in the closure of the trail near Mt. Thielsen and between Summit and Odell Lakes in Oregon. Fires in the Glacier Peak area in Washington have closed the trail from Mica Lake north and the Easy Fire has closed 31 miles of the PCT north of Rainy Pass.
As I write this there is a fire raging between Rainy and Easy Pass, closing the North Cross Highway (Washington State Highway 20) until further notice. That means the PCT is also closed in this location. I have a mix of feelings about all of this. First, I am relieved a large majority of PCT hikers are still south unless they leapfrog due to fires in California and Oregon. Given that it is getting to be late July the chance of reopening the trail and the highway increases for those hikers making their way toward the Canadian border in later August and into September and October. assuming the fire is contained. I am hopeful and am keeping my fingers firmly crossed right now.
I also feel sad as I think of the forest being devoured by a raging lightning caused fire. I probably could feel happier as this is a naturally occurring phenomena in the natural world but what evokes my sadness is even though one or more bolts of lightning caused this, climate change played a big role as well. That means you and I helped deliver our own 'bolt' to this situation and we are seeing the result of our actions and those of our predecessors as they play out all over the western United States not just along the PCT. This is not just sad but also worrisome. I worry about the trend that is continually reminding us year after year as fire seasons lengthen and expand their reach. I am overwhelmed with feelings.
In our book, 'Crossing Paths' we feature stories that reflect the impact of climate change. We wanted to draw attention to and acknowledge the impact it is having on the environment and on you and me. The stories speak to the recent past and the near future. As I go back and reread some of these stories written by hiker-writers such as Steve Ghan, Anna Marston, Brad Marston, Matt Berger, Michael "Pause" Meyer, Mark Larabee, Alice Tulloch, and several others, I feel both a renewed call to action and a sense of hope. These writers describe and explain the importance of pushing against climate change. Arresting it as best we can, while we can. There is an old operatic saying, "It's not over until the fat lady sings...". In this case maybe the fat lady is Mother Earth and despite her rising song we can still write another act to delay the looming end.
Despite the naysayers and disbelievers the evidence supports the facts. Trusting science and not just our feelings we can take action to push for strong and sensible environmental legislation. We can tell our representatives on all levels, local, state, and Federal that these are values we hold close and dear. We don't just hold these closely for ourselves but also for our children and their children. They must hear us and find the resources required to alter the course of what we see and hear. Let's face it, we know how important preserving nature to the best of our ability is. Even if you haven't walked a foot on the PCT just look out your window. It is all there as you notice the leaves on the trees, the flowers blooming, and the birds singing. Isn't that reason enough to do whatever we can to slow the pace of this opera we are participating in as both actor/actress and audience member?
Meanwhile, several parts of the PCT are being threatened by raging flames. There is no rain in the forecast.
HS
The Pacific Crest Trail north of Rainy Pass