08/13/2026
Wildfires affect more than the landscape around us. They can also affect our sense of safety, our routines, our nervous systems, and our emotional well-being.
The uncertainty of changing conditions, evacuation alerts, smoke, disrupted plans, concern for loved ones, and witnessing the impact on our communities can create a significant amount of stress. You may notice increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, irritability, exhaustion, sadness, grief, or a feeling of constantly being “on alert.”
You do not need to have experienced a direct loss for the wildfires to affect you emotionally. Sometimes simply living with ongoing uncertainty is enough to place additional strain on our minds and bodies.
During times like these, small things can help: staying connected with people you trust, maintaining whatever routines you can, taking breaks from repeatedly checking updates, grounding yourself when anxiety rises, resting when you need to, and seeking support when things begin to feel difficult to manage.
My thoughts continue to be with my clients, the people of Summerland, and everyone in our surrounding communities who has been affected. I am holding space for healing, safety, and hope as our communities navigate this together.
Take care of yourselves and one another. 🤍
-Andrea
