Page 12 - The Silver Fire

THE BLACK RANGE RAG - WWW.BLACKRANGE.ORG
June 17, 2013
A Community Reacts
A posting and photographs by Bob Barnes of Hillsboro.
Above and below: Donations begin to pour in to the Community Center.
There are some things to remember about the communities of the Black Range: We are small islands of humanity on the fringe of the Black Range; We are not incorporated, if there is a government entity in our communities it is the local water association - staffed for the most part by volunteers; We are isolated, the nearest gas and food are miles away; And, as a consequence, of these attributes we are use to doing things ourselves. Except when something really significant happens like the Silver Fire and then we partner with the Feds.
When the evacuation of Kingston was ordered, people had a place to stay. Jan Haley had been making arrangements anticipating the evacuation. Kingston refuges are staying in the homes of friends and relatives in Hillsboro and down toward Lake Valley. No one told Jan to do this, she knew to do it, it is what we do. So, in the wee hours of the night there were knocks at doors throughout our extended community
and people were taken in, provided a place to stay and fed. We still don’t know for how long.
The people of zip code 88042 began to gather at the Community Center the next morning. They were bringing cooked foods and food to be cooked. They knew that there would be a need, no one told them it was necessary, they knew and they responded.
Members of the volunteer fire department (Kingston - Hillsboro - Lake Valley) were on duty from the very beginning, sometimes working 24 hour shifts. Doing what they
could to ensure the safety of their friends and neighbors. No overtime, no hazard pay - volunteers.
County governments, in the form of the Sheriff’s Departments of Sierra and Grant county have manned the roadblocks. And in the case of the Sierra County Sheriff, helped with the evacuation of Kingston.
There are two grocery stores of consequence in Truth or Consequences (the local metropolis, 30 miles away), both responded with donations. The Arrey Cafe also sent food.
The Community Center quickly became the hub of activity as volunteers and refugees were fed. The US Forest Service started having daily briefings at 10:00 to assure that everyone had the latest, and the correct, information. Portable cleaning stations showed up and there is even a rumor that a portable cell tower may be erected, providing cell service in this area for the first time. (Alas, the cell tower will go away when the flames are vanquished.)
The library volunteers more than doubled the hours the library is open. The library provides free wireless, wired computer service, and long- distance telephone calls. All of
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IN MEMORY OF THE GRANITE MOUNTAIN HOTSHOTS