Rising from the Ashes closes busy week of wildfire reunion events

PATEROS – The sign greeting visitors at the entry to the Smoke and Mirrors Fire Maze Display in the Pateros gym last Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, said it all: “We survived because the fire inside us burned brighter than the fire around us.”

The display of hundreds of news stories, photos, art, relics, memories and mementos from the state’s two largest wildfires, the 2014 Carlton Complex and the 2015 Okanogan Complex wildfires took visitors through a comprehensive history of the trauma, heroism, recovery phases of the back-to-back disasters, and for many, it represented another step in the process of coming to grips with an event that altered many lives forever.

Pateros mayor, Carlene Anders, who also serves as Executive Director of the Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Campaign, witnessed the fires’ carnage and has been involved in every step of recovery and rebuilding efforts ever since.

“I witnessed every range of guided them through the exhibit. Anders came away with the opinion that the display accomplished what it set out to do, present the past and present circumstances of the fires in a chronological, matter-of-fact manner to help heal those who experienced it, and educate those who did not.  

While the exhibit was extensive, taking up the entire wrestling room space at the end of the gym, Anders said  that “boxes and boxes” of items were unable to be used.

A hand-written statement taped to exhibit’s entry door advised viewers of what they were about to experience:
“Welcome Friends,
This exhibit is a powerful collection of memories, both tragic and joyous. It has been difficult for some survivors to have it all brought back up again. These memories are offered as a celebration of this town’s triumph, but, please be advised, it might be hard. Thank you for coming.
OCLTRG (Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group)”

The portable display was transported to Twisp for another viewing on Sunday, July 22, for the public and those who attended a pancake breakfast at the Grange Hall. The Sunday events culminated a whirlwind schedule of events that ranged from river trips and guided tours to reunion gatherings, food and music that marked the four-year anniversary of the initial Carlton Complex fire.

Anders sent a special shout-out to Gebbers Cattle for supplying the beef for the catered dinner for fire survivors and volunteers at Peninsula Park last Friday, July 20.