Thanks once again for all the support and good wishes. We are feeling the love! Today was a busy day at the sanctuary – I’m excited to say that we have power! It wasn’t clear how long power was going to take (some estimates were that it would be several weeks) but we’re up and running. Great news there. We’re still working on a water issue (likely chemical contamination from water lines that were incinerated/melted in the fire) but the chimps are loving their gatorade and water bottles.
We’re also still fighting flare-ups on the property and our neighbors’ properties. JB and Diana (who live on the property and are back in the residence now that it’s been temporarily repaired) were awakened at 3am by their dog Honey B, who noticed a small fire up the hill on our neighbor’s property. JB, Diana, and a team of firefighters from Prosser put the fire out. Again, my heroes. Yesterday afternoon and again this afternoon, we fought a flare-up near the driveway of our property. Volunteers Pam and Connie got more than they bargained for but flew into action helping JB, Diana, Jackie and me put it out. I’ll say again that the worst is behind us and the chimps are safe, but we’re not out of the figurative woods yet. My heart was racing as I was wrestling with the big water jugs, and once again I am reminded of the incredible courage it took to weather the night on Monday.
We’ve put flare-up monitoring protocols in place to make sure we stay on top of these small fires, and we’ve had good advice from experts.
On a brighter note, when we were sure that the flare-up this afternoon was under control, i was walking up to the chimp house (JB and Diana were still monitoring and Pam, Connie and Jackie were refilling the water jugs and loading up the gator) I saw that the chimps were huddled in the greenhouse watching very closely. I thought to myself that I’d better go say hi and let them know everyone was ok. Jody came right over and gave me a breathy pant and requested a kiss on the back of my wrist. I looked up at her and made eye contact and felt pretty emotional about all the chimps have seen and experienced in the past few days.
Jody finished her kiss and turned away and then the greenhouse literally burst into play. There was laughing, wrestling, chasing galore. I have no idea if they were waiting for the “all clear” before getting back to their business (of playing) or if it was totally random or unrelated, but I have to say that a bunch of joyful happy chimps was exactly what I needed to see at that moment. What amazing, resilient survivors they are, in so many senses of the word.
Madelaine Thompson says
I am so relieved that you are all safe – chimps and people! I’ve felt so proud when I hear how the Cle Elum community has pulled together to help you and each other through this challenging time. Please let us know how we can help beyond donations (e.g., cleanup, supplies).
Amy M says
Chimp and human people, you are ALL my heroes!
rita stevenson says
Woderful ..Chimps & staff are all okay.
It was related,,the chimps must of felt reassured,,Jody sealed it with a kiss,
You all are amazig people,such care is give to every detail,re the CleElum7.Thak you,
Julie H says
Thank you, Sarah, for this touching commentary. I cried as I read it. I can’t wait to get over there to help out…..and to Pam and Connie, THANK YOU!!!
Doreen says
I do believe the Chimps were waiting for the All Clear. Thank God the Staff & Chimps are all ok! Hang in! You Guys ROCK!
dawn says
What a wonderful moment with the chimps- I love that you shared that!
Patti says
Way to go Honey B!!!
And, yes, I teared up as well reading your interaction with Jody, Sarah. Such a special moment.
marissa says
Amazing! Thank you for sharing this. What is Jamie’s take on all of this? Is Missy keeping everyone calm?
Very thankful for all of you and that you are safe. Let us know what we can do.
Good thoughts and prayers your way…
Annie Norris says
Thanks for keeping us informed of all the happenings and for keeping our precious chimps safe and happy.
I’m headed for Alaska on Saturday for a week; I’ll see if I can’t send an iceberg or two your way to cool things off over there. 🙂
leslie sodaro says
thank you to all, staff, helpers, firefighters, all of you, who have put yourselves between the fire and the sanctuary. it is so nice to ‘see’ that the chimps get it, and show their appreciation in chimp fashion, by getting back to chimp business … play
Angela Derriso says
Glad everyone’s okay. I hope things there get under control soon. Down in Florida, we occasionally get wildfires, and they’re pretty terrible. I can’t imagine losing everything to a fire.
Please stay safe. Love goes out to everyone out there. 🙂
Kathy B says
Thank you very much for keeping us informed as to what is going on at the Sanctuary. We left on a trip on Sunday after we had been there, but a friend called to let us know what was going on. I had a very hard time sleeping after I heard, I was worried about all of you chimps as well as humans. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Knowing how close the Taylor bridge is to you, it could have been a lot worse.A big thanks to all of you up there for all that you are doing now. And to all of the fire fighters for all of the hard work and long hours.
Jeani Goodrich says
Sarah, thank you for such a heart warming up date. What a relief to hear the chimps bounced back so quickly. And I’m with the others, I definitely feel the chimps needed a calm reassuring caregiver to give them the “OK”. How luckyy to be that person!
It has been a very long week for everyone and and you all are not only our heroes but people we look up to and want to emulate. With everything going on you continued to take time out to keep us informed. What a team! I’m glad to hear JB and Diana are back in their home.
Thanks again for everything you all have done and up dating us.
Marcia says
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing that wonderful encounter with Jody and the groups’ reaction. You all have been through so much these past few days, hope all danger will be in the past soon. A big hug to Honey B for her warning.
lynn says
Add firefighting to your resumes everyone! Nice job 🙂
Donna Nik says
I was raised in Roslyn MANY years ago, so was concerned about the cle elum 7.
Tried to contact a tv station in Seattle, and tried to find Cle Elum contact. Then remembered
I have CleElum 7 in my favorites sooooooooooo glad to see your Up date.
I have no idea exactly where you are located, so I’m just praying the fire is not real near.
Just thanks again and know we all are concerned.
Sara L, Fairfax says
Wonderful update, I too had an “awwww” moment reading about the huddle and kiss. I suspect they understand on some level that danger is close and that their caregivers are taking care of them. I wonder how Jody got to be the emissary? Kudos to Honey B for her smart thinking. What kind of dog is she?
Thank you for taking the time to update us and may the winds not blow and may the sky send you a soaking rain.
Adam Gentz says
oh man… you really got me choked up with that last paragraph! <3 you guys.
rita stevenson says
I think these chimps are totally resiged to the fact that, CSNW directer ad caregivers are their life support. I truly feel they uderstad this is theri life and one shall EVER hurt them again. Jamie certaily lets everyoe kow tha tshe is the BOSS lady ,, that its HER HOME, ad she’ll eve throw in a free flow of her ow watrerqsuirts..especially when she is in a generous mood.
all joking aside.. they have all ee through so much i their lives, ut the QUALITY of life that they receive from staff is EXTRORDINARY,unique ad ulike ay other experiece they’ve lived through.
Of course, they trust you all, for they are so well treated,loved,cared for ad healthy.
Perhaps this recent crisis, will stregthen the bonds further…
of course they kew fire was a dager to all. firefighters hosig the property was ulike Jackie waterig the garde. They are all very smart,,they firured it out ,, and they trusted ni the process .. oce agai they survived, thanx to all CSNW staff,directer,caregivers,voluteers, we all thnik the world of you all,