By Shirin Yadegar

“Mom, there’s a big fire coming towards our house!” Camille, my 13-year-old, screamed from her room.

I rushed to her side, my heart pounding, and froze when I saw the flames—red and raging—getting closer, too close. I had never seen anything like it before.

“Pack a bag. Be ready to go, just in case we get the alert to evacuate,” I told her, my voice steady even though my insides were in turmoil. Lily, my 15-year-old, was already in tears, her face full of panic. I held her tight, trying to comfort her, while the fire continued its relentless march toward us. (more…)