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Wildfires: ‘Feeling heartbroken in Grants Pass, Oregon

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Wildfire smoke can be especially harmful to the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with chronic heart and lung diseases. People wear face masks in an attempt to protect themselves.
PHOTOS/DONATED

LOS ANGELES, CA — The impacts of climate change are taking devastating tolls, and as the Southern Oregon wildfires claim more land amidst record-breaking heat waves, once again this fight hits close to home. The 49-square mile Garner Complex Fire literally surrounds the small towns of both my mom and best friend, who at this point are pretty much confined to their homes due to the suffocating smoke.
Remembering when I was a kid, how I would gaze peacefully at mountains and treetops as far as they eye could see, cooling off in the creek, watching the deer as they would come visit our apple tree.
Now I wake up in the morning, scan the local news, check the fire first response map, and call the emergency information center . . . hoping none of my loved ones get the dreaded evacuation notice, and have to leave everything behind, like more than 1,000 households in the area already have.

Wildfire smoke can be especially harmful to the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with chronic heart and lung diseases. People wear face masks in an attempt to protect themselves.
PHOTOS/DONATED

My heart goes out to the victims and families of the Carr Fire in Redding, the hundreds who lost their lives in Greece, and everyone who’s been affected by these terrifying fires.
I’m grateful for the more than 2,600 fire personnel working the Garner Complex. Their bravery and leadership in these moments of crises are critical.

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