In rereading this thread I was astonished at how bad the previous years have also been. I remembered two years ago- who can forget Paradise, California?- but quite obviously really, really bad fire years are nothing new.

That said, this year is different, apocalyptic during and agonizingly so after. I have family and friends all through the affected Oregon areas, where I used to live and work and play and even though my heart is in my mouth with alarm that selfish as I am, I am oh, oh so glad that I am not there.