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The Simpson wildfire

Some of you may not know that my neighborhood, home, and garden were part of the Simpson wildfire in Logan County, Oklahoma, a little over a week ago.

I’ve hesitated writing about it because, honestly, it’s still so fresh, but I want a record of what happened. My home was spared.

In less than 20 minutes, the wildfire blew into our upper pasture down the hill, engulfed our horse barn and the trees surrounding it, and then split around our home.

From the front yard, everything looks just fine. Appears to be a perfect spring, doesn’t it?

The front of the house looks just fine. You would never know, would you?

Before I tell you about the damage, I need to share about that day.

Buckle your seatbelts. It’s about to get stressful.

I was up early, and it was so unbelievably windy; I told the two women who occasionally help with my garden not to come. Thanks be to God.

Instead, I worked outside by myself, and I posted a video on Instagram about my tulips and cautioned people to be extra careful. I even joked, apologizing for being everyone’s mom.

Winds on the day of the wildfire were blowing 65-70 miles per hour.

Yes, it’s windy in Oklahoma, especially in spring, but we were on the back side of that front, causing snowstorms in the northern plains. At around 1:00 p.m., I ran to town to buy some of my favorite mulch at Lowe’s. I’d met with a garden-coaching client the day before, so I stopped at Davison’s Nursery on 2nd Street on my way home to see what plants were available.

Mr. Davison and his daughter were staring at their phones. I asked them what was up. They said. “There’s a wildfire out by our property.”

I asked, “Where’s that?”

They said, “It started on Simpson, and they think it’s going to cross the highway.”

That’s when I ran to my car.

All I could think about was my Russian Blue kitten, Masha, Francis, our dog, and our home, in that order. As I drove north on I-35, I saw the fire in the distance. I watched as it moved fast, eating up ground with billowing clouds of acrid smoke. There were also fires on the east side of the highway, but they were further south. I called Bill, my daughter Megan, and my son Brennan. They both live out this way too, and Megan works from home.

I was stopped on the highway as I took this.
My son-in-law took this from his front yard I think.
We went back down Charter Oak to get to our neighborhood, but there was a truck jackknifed on these sharp corners.

Suddenly, the traffic stopped, and two semi-trailers blocked my view. Cars and trucks were racing down the shoulder of the highway. I was almost at Waterloo Road, so I joined them. My hope was to get to my house before the fire came into our neighborhood, and I knew there was no time to waste. As I exited the highway, I noticed the highway patrol had closed the highway north of Waterloo and was directing traffic down the on-ramp. I raced to Pine, but it was closed at Charter Oak Road. We have a back entrance to our neighborhood, so I drove toward it. It wasn’t blocked, so I raced through the adjoining neighborhood, which looked fine.

After turning the corner, a huge wall of smoke blew across the road, and ash fell on my car. Then, I saw the flames. On either side of the roadway, everything was on fire in front of me. Flames licked trees forty feet high.

I threw my car into reverse as my phone rang.

It was Brennan. I didn’t call him back until I drove several miles to safety and waited for Bill. “The barn is on fire,” he said, “I’m watching it live on TV.” He recognized our metal barn next to it.

Another view of the barn which burned all the way to the ground.
The fire burned so hot that I can’t believe our home was spared.
The Simpson wildfire. Wildfires.
Another view of the barn which only sits 125 feet from the front of our house.
This shot shows the distance between the barn on the right and our house. Never doubt the power of prayer and an irrigation system.

“Well, then, everything is lost,” I said, and I began to cry.

I’ll admit I was pretty hysterical, so I stopped a few miles south to buy gas, go to the bathroom, grab a bottle of water, and gather myself. I called my best friend, Aimee, and Carol Michel, my co-host of the Gardenangelists podcast, and I think I may have talked to Jennie, my dear gardening friend, who I’ve known since high school, on the phone too. I have very little memory of any of these conversations.

My phone was blowing up with texts because so many people know where we live. Friends from church, garden friends, and my garden-coaching clients. Everyone was praying.

And, honestly, it’s a miracle. All of it. Today, I still well up with tears as I write. My neighborhood lost so many homes.

From their description, I believe this home was just up the street from me.

Logan County lost over 90 homes and many more structures in the wildfire, but no one died.

Megan and our granddaughter evacuated, and Bill and I staged ourselves across from the fire station 1/2 mile down the road from our neighborhood. The fire blew through so fast–within 20 minutes–that the firefighters couldn’t get into my neighborhood before almost everything was over.

It was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen, and we’ve had fires nearby before.

This was a man’s diesel shop and livelihood.

Later that evening, our neighbor called. He said our home was still standing, but we had hot spots. We basically begged the sheriff guarding our neighborhood to let us back in, and we found our home and car barn intact.

The car barn has some damage, but it didn’t burn down even though it’s right next to the barn.
The barn was still smoldering when we got home that night.

At first, we had electricity, but soon it went out. The next several days, OG&E replaced many poles in the area. Bill fired up the generator we bought after the ice storm in 2020, and I continued to water down hot spots all around the property. Then, my mulch pile and burn pile in the lower pasture started burning. It looked frightening, but everything around it was burned, so the house was still okay. Firefighters came six or seven times to put it out over the coming days.

Simpson wildfire
Firefighters putting out my mulch pile again. Sorry, it’s not the best photo. I took it from inside.

The air was unbelievably smoky, but we were able to run the air conditioning in part of the house, which helped. For the next two days, Bill and I basically walked around in circles in shock and picked up what we could. I worked on what I could in my garden, disposing of burned-up things and making room for new ones.

Oklahoma wildfires
The mulch pile burned for nearly a week.

We also called our insurance agent and met with the adjuster this past week. I think things are going to be okay, but those first few days were tough.

As I would come and go picking up food and supplies, I talked to so many of my neighbors who lost everything. So far, none of them are selling up and moving. I’m really glad. I love my neighbors, and I would miss them.

Several have stopped by when they see me outside. They said they were grateful our home and garden didn’t burn up, that they enjoy it so much, and that they would have been sadder without it. Their words humble me.

Simpson wildfire damage in my landscape

The Simpson wildfire burned up most of my Smart Pots along the old driveway and killed some of my lavender. Carol emailed Smart Pots, and bless their hearts; they sent over a bunch of replacement pots. Heather actually hand-delivered them on Saturday. So kind.

My Smart Pots burned up in the driveway. Out of 26, I have four left.
The Simpson wildfire
More of my destroyed Smart Pots. Smart Pots were so kind to bring me some new pots. I’m so grateful.

Embers landed in the lower garden and burned up my Netafim drip hoses. The wildfire also destroyed the hoses in the garden bed that faces the street. It burned up a lot of the pink muhly grass, and it completely burned our 2.5 acres across the street.

Simpson wildfire
Burned up pink muhly grass and my drip irrigation in the bed facing the street. The grass is doing a lot better, though. I saw green growth today.

But we were fortunate. Many homes burned completely to the ground. It took me several days to wrap my mind around the devastation. I posted a few videos to Instagram and realized they were making me sadder, so I stopped. A couple of the videos went viral. Here’s the one about the meadow. Instagram congratulated me. That wasn’t really my intent, but there you go.

Simpson wildfire
The trees in our 2.5 acres across the street burned to a crisp.

Since the fire, two of my sweet neighbors had a get-together, and many came. Bill and I were sick with a stomach virus, so we were unable to attend. My neighbor, Anita, sent me photos, and everyone was comforting each other.

Most of my neighbors are already hauling away debris, drilling new wells, and getting their electricity fixed. People in the countryside are very resilient.

As for my garden, a week after the Simpson wildfire, I see more damage. I lost the cool Macedonian Pine tree I planted last fall to view outside my bedroom window. Several boxwoods burned up. I’ll be digging them all out next week, I hope.

I probably lost my ‘Orangeola’ Japanese maple and another fancy Japanese maple, but I didn’t lose my native spicebush. Something to think about there since they were all planted next to each other. Native plants are tough.

I lost three beautiful oakleaf hydrangeas that were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Another view of the damage in the lower garden.
Burned up garden beds, fencing and irrigation.
Simpson wildfire
This is my burned up Japanese maple. It was a special orange-leaved one.

My drip irrigation in the back garden is destroyed in several beds. Grooms Irrigation is coming out to replace the Netafim tubing today, I hope. Bill, Brennan, and I repaired the drip irrigation in the bed facing the street where the pink muhly grass grows. The grass is resilient. It is growing back.

Simpson wildfire
The newest ‘Phenomenal’ lavender burned. I don’t know if I will replant it. It is beautiful, but takes up a lot of room and needs work twice a year.

The lavender is also burned. I lost a whole row of it. I may not replant it to save myself more work.

Friends in need are friends indeed.

OG Oklahoma blogger friends Katie Johnstonbaugh, Kelly Roberts, Marie Wreath, and Rose Marie B. brought me seeds in a bluebird planter–I’ve planted them in the upper pasture already–and a gift certificate for TLC Nursery. I’ll put it to good use. Thank you. Also, I got the bluebird reference, and yes, they’re still landing in front of me every time I’m out in the garden.

Jennie sent me lanolin because my lips were so chapped from the dry air. I didn’t know a wildfire will suck all the moisture out of the air for weeks or that it will fill your home with smoke, soot, and ash. It’s all new to me, and my new knowledge has given me even more empathy for those who lost everything.

Carol did all the work for the podcast for two weeks in a row. I just showed up and talked.

Oklahoma wildfires
Burned up sumac shrubs above our circle driveway.

Little by little, bird by bird

So, where do we go from here? Well, we’ve hired Midwest Wrecking Co. to haul away the horse barn debris and cut down the dead trees surrounding it. As I wrote above, we’re getting the irrigation fixed, and an electrician friend is repairing the electricity to the car barn.

I’m sad, but here’s to new beginnings and an even closer neighborhood. Most of my friends are rebuilding, and I’m so glad. I would miss all of them if they weren’t.

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Related

13 April, 2023 By Dee Nash

Filed Under: Featured, Gardening, Lifestyle, Oklahoma Tagged With: Oklahoma wildfires, Simpson wildfire, tough times, Wild weather, Wildfire

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam's English Garden

    16 April, 2023 at 11:06 am

    Dee, You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I first learned about your fire. I am so glad you and your family are safe! You are so strong; I am in awe of you. P. x

    • Dee Nash

      17 April, 2023 at 10:33 am

      Oh Pam, it was so hard, but I’m so grateful no one died. It truly is a miracle. I felt your prayers. ~~Dee

      • Jamie R

        3 May, 2023 at 7:48 pm

        Wow, so sorry to hear what you’ve been through, how scary!!!

        I’ve been very impressed by your work but I hope you’ll take it easy and give yourself few seasons to heal and find someone to talk to about that traumatic experience, just because you didn’t lose AS much as your neighbors doesn’t mean you didn’t lose a lot and experience great terror!

        • Dee Nash

          22 May, 2023 at 4:13 pm

          Hi Jamie, thank you so much. We are all slowly healing. ~~Dee

  2. Beth@PlantPostings

    14 April, 2023 at 7:48 pm

    Woah, that is intense, dear Dee. I’m so glad you’re OK, but I know it’s difficult. Still praying for you and your neighbors.

  3. Noelle Johnson

    14 April, 2023 at 4:38 pm

    Hello Dee,

    Wow! What an ordeal you have been through. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us. I remember talking to you about your experience right after the Oklahoma bombing several years ago and how you described what you went through then. I had similar feelings when reading this experience you went through. With all the loss you experienced, the gratefulness you feel at what was spared is clear. I pray that repairs will go smoothly and that you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty that rises up from the ashes soon.

    • Dee Nash

      17 April, 2023 at 10:38 am

      Hi Noelle, not surprisingly, this felt even more immediate than the bombing, although April 19 is the anniversary date. Spring is so beautiful this year, and my garden is such a contrast to the surrounding countryside. We could have lost so much more so yes, I’m truly grateful. So far, things are going pretty well. The irrigation is fixed which was paramount. Hugs my friend.~~Dee

  4. Kelly

    14 April, 2023 at 2:33 pm

    My eyes are watery, Dee. Gosh that’s a lot of home trauma. May our Dear Lord be with you day and night as you and your neighbors bring back your world. ??

    • Dee Nash

      17 April, 2023 at 10:38 am

      Kelly, I feel Him near all the time. He has been such a comfort. Thank you for everything.~~Dee

  5. danger garden

    14 April, 2023 at 11:27 am

    Thank you for sharing all of this Dee, my heart goes out to you and your neighbors. I cannot imagine.

    • Dee Nash

      17 April, 2023 at 10:40 am

      Hi Lorie, they are all rebuilding as I write. I just felt like I needed to have a record here of what happened. Thank you for stopping by and chatting.~~Dee

  6. Jo Anna Bannister

    14 April, 2023 at 11:02 am

    Thank you for sharing! We watched it on the news but never think about the aftermath! I will continue to pray for you and your neighbors. I hope both your animals are okay as well.

    • Dee Nash

      14 April, 2023 at 11:07 am

      Yes, both Masha and Francis are just fine. Everything and everyone are going to be ok. Got the irrigation fixed last night. Starting to see butterflies and moths, lizards and toads. 🙂

  7. Jennie

    14 April, 2023 at 10:13 am

    Dee, I am so thankful you and your family are okay. So thankful your beautiful home and gardens are a comfort to your neighbors too. No surprise there though. The end of this article has me I tears. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through. I love you dearly.
    Jennie

  8. Megan Harlan

    14 April, 2023 at 9:21 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss and the losses of your neighbors. I’m thankful your home was spared. Those fires were insane, we could see the smoke all the way from NW edmond near Portland. As soon as we saw it we ran inside to check the news.

    • Dee Nash

      14 April, 2023 at 9:56 am

      Hi Megan, yes, it was completely nuts. I’ve never seen anything like it. Scariest day of my life. Hugs.~~Dee

  9. Layanee

    14 April, 2023 at 7:31 am

    What a truly terrifying experience. Thank you for sharing this tragedy so eloquently. Hugs to you and yours.

    • Dee Nash

      14 April, 2023 at 9:57 am

      Thanks sweet Layanee! Many hugs back my friend.~~Dee

  10. Jeannie Kline

    14 April, 2023 at 7:29 am

    Bless your heart, Dee! I believe it was a miracle your house was spared and there was no loss of human life in the fire. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you and your neighbors. I was moved to tears reading this blog. I live in S OKC and witnessed a lot of tornado damage quite close to our home. People’s resilience in tragedy is a remarkable thing to witness. I know beauty will return to your area soon and new homes will replace those that have been lost. May God continue to bless you all in your journey forward.?

    • Dee Nash

      14 April, 2023 at 9:57 am

      Hi Jeannie, I believe that too with all my heart. Everyone here is so grateful. It’s something to see and be part of. ~~Dee

  11. Anonymous

    14 April, 2023 at 7:23 am

    Such a gripping story! Tragedies are a part of all of our lives, either in person or with someone we know. Your neighbors and supportive friends are a blessing to you. Stay strong and always remember. Share with others that they may know how precious life is. God bless.

    • Dee Nash

      14 April, 2023 at 9:59 am

      They certainly are. No one escapes difficult things. ~~Dee

  12. Laura Johnson Aviewfromthegardenchair

    14 April, 2023 at 7:13 am

    Such a horrible experience! I am amazed by your grace. So happy that Masha and Francis are safe!

    • Dee Nash

      14 April, 2023 at 9:59 am

      Thank you Laura. Me too. I was so very worried.~~Dee

  13. Sharon

    14 April, 2023 at 3:32 am

    Dee, I am so sorry for all your losses but thankful you and your family are all ok.

    • Dee Nash

      14 April, 2023 at 10:00 am

      Yes, that’s what is most important. ~~Dee

  14. ML

    13 April, 2023 at 7:52 pm

    Thank you for sharing this, Dee. I’m so thankful that you, your family, your pets, and home were spared from so much of the destruction that the fire brought.

    • Dee Nash

      14 April, 2023 at 10:00 am

      Thank you Mary Louise. Thanks be to God.~~Dee

Trackbacks

  1. The year of the salvia - Red Dirt Ramblings® says:
    18 April, 2023 at 10:45 am

    […] each fall and grow them in the greenhouse. It’s a good thing I took them this year because the fire burned up my very large plant. I planted one at each end of the bed facing the street. That bed was […]

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