Disaster in Arches National Park, Utah
June 25, Arches National Park, dramatic return of hiking
Arriving at the campsite around 12:30, we find a pile of ashes in the place of our motorhome. The column of smoke we had seen from the hike was the burning of our RV!
What did happen?
Even today, we do not know what triggered the fire and we probably never will know. 3 insurance companies, those of the rental company, the manufacturer and supplier investigated and, after eight months, concluded that they could not determine the cause of the fire.
Here is what the witnesses said:
to 9:00 am, Joe, the host of the campsite, emptied the trash from a nearby location. He noticed smoke escaping from the vents of our motorhome. As he approached, he saw flames through the door of the RV but can not enter because it is locked. The curtains are drawn, he can not see inside if there is someone or a pet. He calls and not getting an answer can be somewhat reassured about the fact that the RV is empty of its occupants. Time to call the Rangers, the fire took hold of the entire vehicle and it is soon ablaze. Several small explosions encourage witnesses to stay away.
Firemen arrive one hour later. They extinguish the remains of the fire. Fortunately, no injuries and the absence of wind prevented the fire from spreading to vegetation.
First impression, then back to the Visitor Center
When we get there, the fire is extinguished, firemen already left. We are expected by Jessie, a ranger, as well as Jane, the hostess of the campsite. Very professional, Jessie does not waste time: she takes us in her truck and leads us to the Visitor Center at the entrance of the park, while entrusting us each a pencil and a tablet that we began to notice the objects we have lost. Another ranger will take care of our bikes down in a pick-up.
Statements and first actions
At the Visitor Center, Karen, the ranger surpervisor asks us about our morning schedule. Each of us fills a statement in which we describe what we did this morning before hike. This examination is conducted discreet with great kindness.
Karen helps us to contact Visa Organization and the Consulate of France in San Francisco with whom we develop the procedure for obtaining a pass that will allow Christine to return to France: we must go to Salt Lake City, equipped with documents, to meet the Honorary Consul who will apply for passes in San Francisco. No need to go to San Francisco. Visa Credit Card can release about a thousand dollars that we can recover the next day at a Western Union office.
Karen has already contacted Camping World RV Rental who transmitted a copy of the contract. We try to join them again but we do not succeed.
The chain of solidarity
A little later, others appear. Cindy, the manager of the Canyonlands Natural History Association, gives us T-shirts from the park. Archie, deputy sheriff, takes us on his pick-up with our bikes and drops us off at the Comfort Suites in Moab, where they have managed to book us a room. Archie does not hesitate to charge the deposit of the hotel on his credit card.
Just installed in the hotel, I'm still trying to contact the rental company but no recall. Karen and another ranger come to bring us clothes from the Church Association. They drive Christine to shopping mall where she can buy first utility stuff. A little later, Cindy comes to the hotel and offers two invitations to a nearby restaurant.
This chain of solidarity warms our heart because we are helpless: in a few moments, we switched from the fantastic world of our journey to a dark world made of administrative procedures, anxieties and doubts about a bleak future...
But hey, no one is hurt!
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