August on the ranch is pretty relaxing. The grass is usually plentiful enough that we can take a break from feeding the cows, leaving us with a bit of time for leisure. This particular morning, after the usual chores were completed, my husband and brother-in-law decided they would go to town and play a game of golf. I bid them adieu and was happy, for the first time in a long while they were getting some play time.
About 3 hours later I decided it would be a nice treat to make some cookies, and while I was pre-heating my oven I looked out my window to see a plume of black smoke coming from the other side of the mountain. At first I panicked, which is always my initial instinct when I smell, see or sense smoke. I've been known to false alarm others of fire danger, calling if I even suspect a fire could get out of control, leaving me with the title "Girl Who Cried Fire". I had already called the fire department AND 911 three times in the previous months, only to find out the smoke I was seeing was a prescribed fire for the forest next to us. I was a little hesitant to call the station for fear of them arresting me of prank calling, so I opted to call my husband to let him know what I was seeing.
After realizing no one was burning intentionally, and I was only one of three people even on the ranch that day I really freaked out! After calling 911 and praying they would take me seriously, I jumped in my car and headed down to see what was on fire. As I neared the 5 way I met up with my husband and parked. We turned the corner and this is what we saw.
That's my husband trying to give me a heart attack. (Do take note of the propane tank, and fuel tanks standing by)
Our barn was on fire, beyond rescue.
You must know, after moving 3 times we had collected quite a bit of housewares and furniture, which we stored in this barn, along with some items that had sentimental value. Yeah, bummer. As I got a closer look at the barn going up in flames I was shocked when I saw what looked like a truck on fire.
It wasn't just the barn on fire....a truck too!
At this point we could really only watch our barn, and 1/2 of the things we own burn, while waiting for the firemen to arrive. Unfortunately, since we live an hour away from any town, it took some time for any help to show up.
The police were the first to arrive on the scene, only able to join us in watching the barn burn, and take down some of our information. The smoke was beginning to clear out, and we started to see the damage that had been done.
The barn before...
and after...
When it was all said and done nothing was salvagable, including two trucks; however the fire didn't spread and catch any pasture on fire. Thank God the weather predictions of high wind weren't accurate or things could have been much uglier! That's when it hit me, MY OVEN WAS STILL ON!!!!
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