STUDENT INTERVIEW: TALENT MIDDLE SCHOOL INTERVIEW- Max Interviews Muriel

 5/21/21 

Hi, my name is Muriel. And my grandson Max, is going to ask me questions about the fire in Talent, Phoenix and Ashland. -Muriel 

What were you doing the day of the fire? -Max

I was at home. I moved to Medford five years ago and lived just off of North Phoenix Road. Prior to this move, I lived 14 years in Phoenix Hills, still owning my house there, which I rent to one of my daughters. I had read the wind warnings for September 8th and had told several people, but everybody thought the weather bureau was exaggerated. I was listening to JPR on the radio and heard there was a fire in north Ashland. So, the wind forecast was not incorrect and as the day progressed into night, I could see the fire and hear the explosions from my house in Medford.-Muriel

Have you ever seen a fire this big? -Max

No. This was the biggest fire I have ever seen. -Muriel

Did you or anyone you know get affected by the fire? -Max

Personally, I was only impacted by the smoke. Both of my daughters and their families were evacuated from Phoenix Hills. Only one house was destroyed in their neighborhood, plus several buildings at Palm Harbor, manufactured homes along the I5 freeway. A fire line was quickly created on the water tower hill, which saved the neighborhood. My family could not return for several days. One of my daughters' inter-family stayed with me, the other, going to a friend of a friend's house in Jacksonville. They could return when the utilities were reconnected. I know several people in talent who lost their homes. One stayed with her friend in Phoenix Hills for nearly nine months. -Muriel

And what were some of your responses to the fire? -Max

\My emotional response was disbelief as I had never imagined infrastructures collapsing so quickly by lack of water to put the flames out, which were being fanned by the high winds. I also saw how few roads were available to get traffic out of Ashland, Talent and Phoenix. The I5 freeway was even closed for a while. I was feeling grateful that Phoenix Hills was basically spared and at the same time feeling great sadness for those who lost everything. We saw the evacuating. So many residents. I was extremely proud of the police, firefighters and other officials who risked their lives. Three deaths was a remarkably low tally for such a disaster. My only action response was to donate money to the Phoenix talent school district. -Muriel      

Thank you for letting me interview you, Muriel. -Max

You are welcome.-M