Devastation

The Trident fish processing plant in Chignik Bay caught fire two days ago and was almost completely destroyed.  The good news is that every single person made it out safely, with only a few cases of smoke inhalation.  Still, the utterly devastating impact this has on the community is impossible to ignore.  Chignik is a small village and most people here on dependent on the plant for their livelihood in some form or another.  Not to mention the hundreds that have come from as far away as Poland to work here until September and are now being sent home.  I will write more about my personal experiences in a bit.  I am looking forward to getting over to the site today after waiting for several days for the smoke to abate and the Fire Marshal to give his okay.  All of the genetic samples I did were housed in the building on the right, so I am extremely lucky.  Can't say the same for most people around here.   It's just very sad for this small and lovely community.