“We Are the World Blogfest,” posted around the last Friday of each month, seeks to promote positive news. There are many oases of love and light out there, stories that show compassion and the resilience of the human spirit. Sharing these stories increases our awareness of hope in our increasingly dark world.
It has been harder for me to find good news lately among the hurricanes, floods, and now wildfires. This last disaster hit close to home. The worst fires were in wine country–Napa and Sonoma counties, and the city of Santa Rosa–only about 2 hours north of where I live in Silicon Valley. And there were other fires as well, in Anaheim and near Santa Cruz. People lost homes, businesses, their life’s work, and sometimes their lives. Current estimates put the damage at $1 billion, with 42 dead and 8,400 structures burned.
One bright spot in this very sad story has been the saving of Safari West. Seventy-seven-year-old park owner Peter Lang battled the fires around the animal habitats alone, all night, after guests and staff had been evacuated. “I have a thousand souls I’m responsible for,” he said. “It wasn’t even a decision. This is what I had to do.” He watched his own ranch home on a nearby hillside be consumed by flames. But he saved the park, and no animals were lost. Employees and first responders are finding community there as they work to rebuild their lives. The park is expected to re-open on March 1.
Here is a list of ways to help victims of the California wildfires, from a newspaper local to the area: Easy Ways to Help Victims of the Wine Country Fires, by the Staff of the Press Democrat in Santa Rosa.
The WATWB co-hosts for this month are Shilpa Garg, Sylvia McGrath, Mary Giese, Belinda Witzenhausen and Guilie Castillo. Please stop by and say hello!
A Thousand Finds 
Peter Lang must be an extraordinary person – losing so much personally, yet saving so much for others. Your picture of the horizon during the fires is just stunning.
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Thank you! The sunsets were all made more beautiful during the fires, ironically.
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What an inspiring story and a point of light in what has been such a difficult situation.
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Wow – such a great heart. Thanks for sharing this!
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Wow. Even the loss of his own home didn’t stop him from helping the animals that were powerless to help themselves. What a guy.
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What an awesome story! I liked that he said he was responsible for a thousand souls. I truly believe animals have souls…
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This is a bright spot indeed K.L. thank you … As he said he had to do what had to be done even if he saw his own home going up in the flames. An example of humanity in action ..
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That must have been such a harrowing night for Peter and the animals. I am so glad that he and they made it through the fires alive. I lived in San Mateo for many years and never made it to Safari West but have always heard great things about it. Thanks for sharing this bright spot in the wildfire disasters, K.L.
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Hi KL – I’d noticed that the Safari Park was making sure its animals weren’t lost to the fire … that was quite early on … so it’s good to know they’ve been saved and the park will re-open next year.
The fires have been awful … as too the news – we just need to be positive ourselves and help others as best we can.
My WAWTB post is going up Monday … cheers Hilary
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I often thought about what happens to the animals in such natural disasters. Now I know.
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And can you imagine members of Congress watching their own houses burn while they tried to save those of their constituents??
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I’m glad that there is good news from all of the wildfires in California. The animals of Safari West are very fortunate to have humans looking after them and ensuring their safety amid loss of life and home. Thanks for bringing this positive story to #WATWB!
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