The waterfall in the Japanese Friendship Garden is surrounded by hand-placed boulders. The largest boulder weighs 25 tons. The waterfall is 14 feet tall.
What a weekend!
Friends came from Palm Springs to visit the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix. They asked if we’d like to go with them — and if they could spend the night. We said yes to both. I got the house ready, made dinner for them and the next morning we went for a walk and then the garden. We toured with a docent from Japan and it was breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful. (I’ll write more about the garden with photos on another day.)
We were enjoying lunch near the Japanese Garden when a neighbor called. I ignored it, but saw she left a voicemail. Then my husband’s phone rang. He walked outside to take the call.
Neighbors called to tell us a wildfire was in the preserve by our homes. They live around the corner and from their house, it looked like plumes of smoke were in our backyard, although they were a few miles away.
Photo of the Wildcat Fire from Tonto National Forest Service.
Take a good look at these photos. What a juxtaposition of events!
We said good-bye to our dear friends as they drove back to Palm Springs from Phoenix. I was a nervous wreck on our 45-minute drive home. Once we got on the 101 freeway we saw HUGE plumes of smoke. It did look like it was near our house. I frantically searched on my phone for news and discovered the Wildcat Fire was on the road to the lake — about five minutes from our home.
Once home, I got my “go bag” into the car, realized I had packed it in winter and I’d need cooler clothes. I thought about what I would really want to save if we had to evacuate and I put some documents and my mother’s flute in the car along with a gallon of water. I’m not quite sure why I packed the water, but oh well. It couldn’t hurt. Plus cat food and a bag of cat litter!
I saw my husband was packing his own go bag.
Here’s a list of essentials I found online for an emergency GO BAG.
I found an app that includes a map with our location and the fire, plus alerts called Watch Duty. I also signed up for evacuation notices from the fire department. We eventually went to bed, but I set my alarm for 3 a.m. That’s when the wind was forecast to change directions from blowing the fire away from us, to toward us. I was able to go back to bed after checking notifications and slept for a few more hours.
They are using a massive amount of air power to fight the fire. The fire started Saturday morning while we were touring the Japanese Garden. When we got home it was at 100 acres. When we went to sleep it spread to 5,000 acres. When I went to bed Sunday night, we were over 12,000 acres and zero contained.
Do you have a “go bag” in case of emergencies?
What would you pack in case of an emergency?
Photo from the Scottsdale Fire Department on the road to Bartlett Lake in the Tonto National Forest.
I am so sorry to hear about all of this, but I’ll confess I smiled when you shared that your mother’s flute was in your ‘go bag’. I hope things are calmer today. Thinking good thoughts for all who are impacted. Oh my. 💕
We have better news today. Although the fire is zero percent contained, it’s moving away from us. The only people who had to evacuate were camping or boating at the lake. Yes, I cherish my mom’s flute.
Stay safe! ❤️
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I can only assume things have calmed a bit, the fire has changed course away from your home…at least for now? That is truly an horrific thing to see and the anxiety of waiting and watching cannot be described. You feel powerless. When the ridge to my east was burning and moving into the valley to the south a few years ago the only thing left to burn would have been the town. I knew (thought) that I had time to get out and routes to take but it was worrisome at best. Then that fire blew through Lahaina HI in seconds and that made me realize how quickly things can change. I unpacked my go bag and have even reassembled my earthquake kit numerous times. Wildfire season is here again for us. Your post reminds me that I have things to plan for and take care of sooner rather than later. Stay safe EA.
The fire moved away from us overnight. It’s zero percent contained though. Yes, I realize things can change in a moment. The only control we have is to be prepared. Maui was such a tragedy. A roommate of mine from college lives one mile away from that fire.
Wow, this is very scary. It sounds like you are OK for now. Sending prayers that the fire is contained. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you. It’s zero percent contained but moving away from us.
Ok, that is a relief!!
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That’s a very frightening scenario to encounter, and I hope it gets under control soon. We don’t have a bag packed, but we do have “critical” items in one location for a quick getaway if needed…as in last year when we headed to the basement on a couple of occasions when tornado warnings were in our area. It is a good idea for everyone to have an “exit plan.”
The fire has moved away from us thanks to the wind. At least it’s in a national park and the campers were evacuated. There aren’t any homes in its path. Tornados are so scary. I hate seeing all the destruction that happens.
I admit that we don’t have a Go Bag and I know that we should. We were evacuated from our home once, so I’ve experienced the panic of getting out quickly… yet I dither about making a Go Bag. Yours sounds perfect, maybe I’ll copy.
I know we could drive to a hotel and get everything we need in nearby stores. But it seems easy to pack a bag and be ready to go in case of emergency.
It must be so disturbing to have that fire so near your home. I hope they can subdue it and there is no more spread of it.
I don’t have a good to bag here. While in Seattle when we had a couple of fire scares, I had my money and passport in my bag hanging next to the apartment door.
The fire keeps growing but it’s moving away from homes. It’s in a national forest and burning away from civilization.
Stay safe my friend. It’s still a hazard to all the wildlife and vegetation.
It is sad, but I’m thankful the fire is to the east of thousands of homes.
Indeed. Hope they can control it soon.
Me too!
We keep talking about getting an emergency bag or tub packed but never do. Crossing fingers this stays far away from you.
We had an earthquake tub in Palm Springs. I remember opening it in the garage 10 years later and the gallons of water had spilled, the canned food had expired and matches, etc. were ruined. Now with my go bag, I update it twice a year.
Indeed! I felt a little awkward “liking” this post: that’s not something I’d LIKE you to experience (again 🥀). Hope things are back to normal (are they?)!
There’s an old episode of Mythbusters where they go to a deserted island with nothing but a pallet of duct tape. Turns out it was enough to survive! Hope you never need to use that bit of trivia!
That’s quite a story about surviving with duct tape! I feel much calmer today, and it started to rain. That has to help all the firefighters. I read there were more than 300 fighting the Wildcat fire. It’s super windy today, but it’s blowing the fire further away.
Oh wow! Yes, what a turn of events. So sorry about the fires.Hope they move away from your home and can be extinguished!
A great idea about having a bag packed. And precious about holding onto your mom’s flute. ❤️
I am glad you were able to enjoy the Japanese garden and your friends company before you got the news of the fire.
Thank you. It was so peaceful and fun to be with our friends in the Japanese Gardens and out to lunch. I’m glad they were on their way home and I didn’t have to worry about their safety, too! The fire is expanding, but thankfully moving away from homes, including ours.
💕
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How scary to have a wildfire right in your backyard. I’m glad the winds have shifted, and hope they can contain the fire.
I guess we won’t be going to the lake anytime soon! I am calming down, but it was scary to see it from the 101 and from our backyard. It’s up to 14,000 acres now and zero containment. They lifted the standby evacuation notice for Desert Mountain. We have friends who live there but they’re out of town. I was worried about their house.
So sorry to hear this EA!!!! Wow, very scary. Let’s hope it starts to die down and they’re able to start containing it and putting it out. The desert is crazy. From some of your pics in recent weeks, it actually looked a little green. I guess things can change in a heartbeat. Hang in there. Thinking of you.
Thanks, Brian. I was really frightened at first, but I’ve calmed down now that it’s moving away from us. It’s growing and zero contained, but moving away from homes. They are putting a ton of tankers, helicopters, etc. into fighting this fire. I see them from my backyard. I’m sure they made some big fire breaks to protect the homes. The wind has been on our side, too.
Oh, that’s good EA. I would imagine that it’s definitely unnerving. Um, you’ve had a busy year, you need a calming second half of 2024. Ha, ha.
I’m all for that!
I have an unpacked bug-out bag next to my bed. Useless, I know. Thanks for the list of items that I’ll need. I’ll start packing.
That list is something I need to work on. I was more concerned with clothes, shoes, toothpaste and toothbrush.
So, how are you today? Are you able to go back to your home yet?? Sending you a big virtual hug. This has to be very stressful.
We didn’t have to leave, we were being prepared in case! The wind has been on our side and the fire, although zero percent contained and growing is moving away from us.
Oh, good!
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Wow! We left our Phoenix-area friends’ house about 3:30 or so yesterday afternoon and headed west to our home. I didn’t see any of the smoke or evidence of a fire. I’m glad you and your house are safe.
It depends on where you are to see the smoke. We’re up at the northern end of Scottsdale by Carefree and Cave Creek. Your friends may thankfully be too far away.
Glad all is well. A to go bag for our pets, papers (important), and a few clothes, some jewelry.
medication.
Thank you! Yep. That’s what I have packed.
I’ve lived through enough of that here in SW Colorado to know what you’re experiencing. Scary and thrilling and disheartening all together. I recently downloaded a bunch of information on fire prep and GO bags, but haven’t sat down to go through it all. Should do it soon!
I’m sure you’ve had plenty of wildfires nearby. We did in Palm Springs on the surrounding mountains that made us nervous. But we also prepared for earthquakes. We were told the 28 years I lived there that the “Big One” was coming. We did have several 6.0s.
When I lived in California, I had an Earthquake Kit but then I realized most people that survived Earthquakes didn’t have access or time to save their Kits, so I gave up.
I remember when there was a house fire not far from me so I did get the cat carriers ready and made a quick go bag, just in case.
We had an earthquake kit on CA too, but didn’t keep it up.
Wow – that is terrifying, Elizabeth. I can only imagine how strenuous and difficult the last couple of days and nights have been. You’re right – the juxtaposition between the Japanese garden and the fire is stunning. Stay safe!
I read the update today and no homes are in danger although the fire is growing. I can let myself breathe.
Breathing – so good!
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Thinking of you!!
It went from zero containment to 23% overnight. Whew.
Keeping you all in my thoughts
Thanks!
I stopped by to see how you’re doing – glad to read this. Hope you don’t need to evacuate!
We are good! It rained yesterday and that really helped.
Hi Elizabeth, your images show such a huge contrast! When our fire season began in 2017, we started packing go bags. My husband is an Eagle Scout, so his Honda Pilot is stocked for Armageddon! I have go bags in my car as well, but we both need to check them now and then for expiration dates on food and water, and clothing like you discovered. I couldn’t tell you what is in mine now, so now is probably a good time to check the bags out. We also have a collection of documents in a special place that we can grab and go if the need arises. Hopefully, it never will! I know fires have always existed, but this new fire season is frightening. How are you doing now? Stay safe!
It was a strange day! Going from ultra peaceful with friends to worry and unable to sleep. Yes, it’s a good idea to check expiration dates on food and water. We fell down on that with our earthquake kits in Palm Springs. I had lunch with a friend yesterday who moved to Arizona from Palm Springs years before me. She said four years ago they got evacuated twice and the fire missed their house but ripped through the area. The fire has moved away from homes and is about 40% contained. I feel so much better.
The videos I saw years ago of people driving with flames on both sides of the road was terrifying enough! And the stories of how some survived, but how others perished. Tragic beyond any words. I’m glad it’s moving in the other direction!
Northern California has had some awful fires! My kids live in Berkeley and they had to get air filters to breathe.
Yes, and Berkeley is so close to us! I’m sure you worry about them. My daughter and SIL live in TN, and when they’ve had a couple of tornado watches, it’s all I can do to breathe and stay calm. 🙂
I would be freaked out about tornados!
I’m the same way, and also about hurricanes. Both scare me more than earthquakes, but that’s probably because I’ve lived in CA all my life. Everyone gets used to Mother Nature’s moods wherever they live. 🙂
Yes, that’s true!
How terrifying! I’m glad you are okay and I hope by now it’s contained. What a contrast indeed!
I went from peaceful and happy to frantic and scared. Yes, the firefighters arrived from throughout the state and have it under control now. Whew!
So glad to hear that!
Yes, it’s good news!