Thursday, September 21, 2006

The Sadness of Such Things

Somebody wanted to know more about the situation. As it stands now, 99,950 acres have burned: it will be well over 100,000 by the time you read this. Pine Mountain Buddhist Monastery has been evacuated, and most (about 90%) of the Wilderness is gone, along with more than half of the condor sanctuary. The air is "better," but because I am in the high risk group, I still have to stay indoors most of the time. The ecological effects of this unfortunate event will be felt for many years to come. You can say, with equal measure of grace and truth, that this is indeed an ecological disaster. Some people like to prattle on and on about "renewal," and "change," and so forth, and that is fine. But, a forest fire sparked by natural causes and a forest fire caused by a thoughtless idiot (as this one was), are two entirely different things. This thing burned up 50,000 acres in one night; last night it burned up another 10,000 or so, and it is only 35% contained. People hereabouts will see, in the future, that there are many changes. I am thinking that White Mahakala practice will be of use to everyone here.

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