"We knew we were doomed."

Dear Diary,

A timely exhibit on the great fire of 1947 here in Maine at the Brownfield Historical Society.  With California in flames, it brought back unpleasant memories for folks around here who still remember the time.  A large swath of Maine burned and the little town of Brownfield was nearly wiped out.

My friend Brad Fuller, who has been working on a history of the town, put together this exhibit for the 70th anniversary of the fire. (extra)  He is a fabulous photographer and a great fine art printer.  He and his wife Rebecca take care of Emerson when I am away.  They are my dearest friends here in Maine.

We all were commenting on how different fire fighting is today.  There are ten thousand fire professionals battling the blaze in California.  When Maine burned it was fought primarily by volunteers.  The fire was heading down the road towards my house but the Augusta fire department cut a fire break and diverted it.  My little farmhouse was spared.

Memories of that horrific fire in 1947 is why all of us pray for the fall rains to come to soak the woods, especially if it has been a dry summer, like last year.  I remember talking to my friend Dotty about it.  School was cancelled and everyone over the age of 14 fought the fire.  She and her mother worked making sandwiches to feed the men and boys.  My heart goes out to those who have lost everything in California. 


Brownfield never was able to rebuild completely after the fire.  Many of the beautiful houses and businesses never returned but the Quakers donated money to rebuild the tiny library in town and people did the best they could to help each other.  The same is happening in California.  People are basically good and in a tragedy, there is much to admire in the human spirit.  That hasn’t changed in 70 years.