Her Vegas Is On Fire

For many, Vegas is an escape to a strange sort of paradise filled with sunshine, casinos, water attractions, incredible shows and amazing food. Beyond the tourist experience is a world of people who make it all possible. And where, one may never even wonder, do the local Las Vegas people go to escape the tourist world, but to the place called Mount Charleston. 

Plenty of people hike her trails, ski her runs, breathe her fresh air, and climb her steep facings. Young and old have enjoyed a hot chocolate in the restaurant and have probably heard polka music there, or visited the Christmas gift shop at any time of year. Some people have chosen to get married further downhill at the Mount Charleston Lodge, and they have done so, especially, in the snow. 

We have marveled at her changing terrain as we make the half-hour drive up to the top to take in the valley from above. The aspen trees twinkled in the sunlight and welcome visitors with the cheery exterior of a getaway for the day. Yet, in winter, it is wise to watch weather reports in order to be prepared with required snow chains on cars and trucks. So many have felt snow for the first time and thown plenty of snowballs, even if there is a little mud mixed in. 

School buses have brought loads upon loads of kids, even college-aged kids, to the picnic and camping areas. For a midwestern college-age student, the thirty degree temperature drop was so refreshing compared to the extreme hotness of the valley floor. Most would wish they had packed a sweatshirt. 

This week, a fire was started by lightning on the west side of the mountain. It quickly spread to the other side and some structures have been lost, the fight to put it out goes on, and the fire rages. There have been reports of coyotes in North Las Vegas that are running from their habitat having been destroyed. Many animals, including wild horses, will surely be affected by this fire. 

People are being evacuated from the tiny village on the eastern face, but one man refuses to leave. An article mentioned he cannot afford insurance because his payment doubled after the last fire. I know I should have a source, and names and dates, but I'm not making it up, just telling it like it is and this is a different kind of story. 

It is easy to mourn this fire because the smoky evidence clouds up a usually cloudless sky that Las Vegans are accustomed to seeing on a daily basis. From pictures I have seen, the fire seemed visible from about fifty miles away from the source. My Dad used to say, "There's not a cloud in the sky. Oops, there's one." Though he was joking, he wasn't far off. 

The evidence clings to the valley spreading ash onto homes and all types of properties. The smoke will stay until the winds kick up and spread all of it over more of the desert southwest. The atmosphere will be filled with the remnants of an escape. The place that used to comfort so many will be burned and look so different from the memories. 

Probably one of the only things that is calming my spirit about this fire is the fact that life comes after. 

Life comes after fire. 

In biology, we learn "Mother Nature" has a way of cleaning house. She has done it this time by setting fire to a place that really doesn't belong to us, but it does belong to the earth. I believe God cleans house like Mother Nature, and that He does it for similar reasons. I do not believe the purpose is to hurt anyone, no matter what anyone believes.

With that in mind, my painting today was driven from the fact I am mourning this beautiful place with so many others, but I am doing just that from a distance. It is my hope, that even as she burns, the firefighters will have the strength, stamina, courage and faith to fight this fire from hurting anyone. I hope people come and pay forward with bottles of water and all of the supplies the command center is collecting. I hope their fire-safe equipment and uniforms stays that way and most of all, I hope for a sense of calm so they can get their job done. 

Fire is scary. 

Major upheaval is scary. 

After fire is life. 

Peace-

Kim