Oregon on Fire

September began as usual, with shorter days and leaves on the ground. Summer came to an abrupt halt on Labor Day, however, when rising temperatures and high winds erupted in a mass of wildfires ravaging the west coast. California and Washington are experiencing one of the worst fire seasons in recorded history. While central and southern Oregon are no stranger to wildfires, the recent destruction has spread to the more fire-resistant forests on the west side of the Cascades. Officials count more than a million acres burned statewide, with tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate. And more tragically, the loss of life, including countless innocent animals.

As fire fighters work tirelessly to contain the numerous fires, the aftermath continues to unfold. An air quality index between 300-500 is considered hazardous. On Sunday morning, Portland’s air quality index value hovered around 516, holding first place in the rankings of major cities with the worst air quality in the world. Smaller cities and towns in Oregon are faring even worse as clouds of smoke continue to blow through the region. 

According to Oregon governor, Kate Brown, the state's record-shattering wildfires were the result of a powerful windstorm, decades of national mismanagement of our forests and climate change.

Outside is my favorite place to be. Considering the social guidelines of COVID-19, it has also become the safest place to be. Oregon's green, enchanted forests are the primary reason behind my contentedness here. The death and destruction of our precious outdoors has, thus, left me heartbroken and in despair. What has become of my beloved hiking trails? Left without access to physical activity and time outside, my energy and motivation are at an all-time low. I am therefore challenged to summon a deep-rooted optimism that rain will soon come to cleanse the earth, dissolve the smoke and bring regrowth and new life.

As 2020 continues to unfurl with one public crisis after another, the sense of an apocalypse has never felt more real. It is clear to me that the planet is fighting back against years of havoc that humans have created in a disharmonious existence. The silver lining of the situation is the pause--the gift, really--that we have been given to slow down and rethink a better future with sustainable systems and respect for all living beings. The only question is, do we have the courage to change?

Thank you to our fire departments and first responders.

Pray for rain.