Daily routine continues, even as tragedy unfolds not so many miles away. Yet there’s a curious nature to it all — conversation turning to the same topic, glances cast toward the distant pall, a concern seated deeply in every action.
As the fire spread, people still dropped by restaurants for dinner. But they are joined by unfamiliar groups, their t-shirts identifying them as firefighters from Los Angeles, Glendale and other distant departments. On Saturday at Park Place Restaurant, O’Meara Bros. Brewery, the Starbucks in Safeway and other establishments, every guest passing these tables offered “thank you,” “you guys are doing great work” or encouraging gestures.
Along highways to and from the fury east of Lower Lake, individuals have posted signs bearing similar messages. In Lakeport near the “base camp” — in peaceful times known as the Lake County Fairgrounds — both households and businesses followed suit. When crews pass, people on the way to work or shop give a wave.
Really, it’s not very difficult to find stories confirming the county-wide show of appreciation. On Facebook someone told of a Kmart customer walking up to firefighters and shaking hands. One of our office staffers returned from a trip to Rotten Robbie’s and reported that as a crew reached to pay for coffee, the clerk put up a hand and said “that’s on the house.”
Hours after the fire erupted, several people phoned our offices asking how they could assist. They wanted to volunteer at the shelters, donate items for recovered animals and help out any way possible. But we soon learned the Red Cross, the Lake County Office of Emergency Services and others working behind the lines had everything covered.
On Saturday evening, on my way to judge the annual Grillin’ on the Green fundraiser, I watched a more significant demonstration. Apparently at the start of a crew shift, vehicles began pulling out of the base camp. They held up at stop signs to wait for traffic to pass. Instead, drivers with the right of way slammed on their brakes and motioned for the fire trucks to enter the main road.
Moments later, as this convoy edged into a turn lane and waited for a chance to enter Highway 29 and head south, a similar event occurred. Drivers heading from Hamburger Hill toward Lakeport stopped and handed the right of way to the trucks. As each truck turned the drivers banged on their horns, urging the crews on.
The firefighters take all of this in stride. They generally return a humble “thank you,” capped by a “sir” or “ma’am” when locals praise their presence. They sit in reflective conversation around restaurant tables, neither blowing off steam nor dwelling on a difficult day. After all, they are just doing a job — a tough, physical, draining, all-important job.
But if early reports are correct, the firefighters return the favor, volunteering off the line. On Saturday evening smoke poured from a hillside blaze in Lucerne. I’m told crews returning from many hours battling Rocky pounced on the upstart fire and beat it into submission.
Oh, I know some people — the guys selling fire t-shirts may be an example — hope to capitalize on the event. And a few people here and there ignore orders coming from the Sheriff’s office or Cal Fire. But for each one of these there are hundreds of handshakes or kind words. Cheese’s Main Street Pizza decided to stay open into the early morning hours so crews coming off the evening shift could grab a bite to eat. KFC taped a sign on the door announcing a half price deal for all firefighters. At Laujor Estate winery on Saturday, tasting room staff set out a donation jar. Sutter Lakeside Hospital handed a check for $5,000 to the Red Cross. And the list goes on.
Which all leads me to believe the adage that tragedy brings out the best of people may be true. However, it is not entirely accurate.
Every week in Lake County and around the nation, people donate time and money for any number of causes. The Gibson Museum, Soper Reese Theatre, literacy programs, the Lake County Wine Auction, everyday fundraisers — they all depend upon volunteers.
No, I think many — perhaps most — people would willingly jump in and lend a hand (or sign a check) in aid of the smallest of causes. Events on the scale of the Rocky Fire, well, they just give us ample opportunity to show a little human kindness.
Keep it up.
