Last year our little valley was filled with the smoke of the highly visible Soda Fire that was rushing over the Owyhee Mountains. This summer the mountains on the other end of our valley are sending up plums of smoke as the Pioneer Fire rages on. But while we in the valley complain about the summer heat and the smoky sky the brave men and women of the firefighting crews are at the mercy of the beast. They work on the edge of the fire in unbelievable heat and are only able to several feet in front of them. The flames reach for the sky. Climbing trees and sometimes creating a vortex of swirling flames and heat.
These men and women spend their summer with bags packed knowing at a moments notice they will leave they're families and summer fun to fight fires that threaten homes and livelihoods. Last years fire prompted the slogan "Log it, Graze it, Or Watch it Burn" as a nod to the reason the fires spread so fast, think dry underbrush and dry dead trees. Elements that could be eliminated with controlled grazing and logging, something that could save lives.
But for now the fire rages on prompting evacuations and a full scale fire camp. On the road to the fire off to the left is a field full of tents, trailers, fire trucks and staff. My husband and little brother are working there now, just getting called up this last week. They provide support for those fighting the fires. My husband runs a weed wash station to keep the trucks from spreading the seeds of native plants to places they would become a weed. My brother runs the hand wash station so everyone in the camp has warm running water to wash their hands before meals. Which are fed 2000 calories per meal as well as unlimited food all day. And boy do they need it. Along with the food crew there are EMT's there to take care of everyone. They have full service showers to wash away the soot and grime from the hard work.
Our good friend is a fire fighter up working the lines. He sent in all the pictures from the fire on his mandatory two days off he gets every two weeks. Quick rest and back to the fire. So spend sometime thinking about these men and women. Send thoughts their way. If you know one of these hard working people give them a little extra help this fire season. If you are going camping be cautious of your campfire, grill and other open flames. Put out all fires, make sure nothing is smoldering. And know that our smoky valley is nothing like the smoky mountains.
