Fire season is quiet in much of the U.S., but Alaska is making up for what is not happening in the Lower 48. Over 300 wildfires are burning in Alaska, tasking resources, and possibly adding to global climate change.
When I fought fires in the 1970's through early 1980's, officials considered a 50,000 acre fire catastrophic. Alaska's current wildfire situation prove that fire sizes continue to grow in magnitude, with no end in sight.
It will be interesting to follow how agencies will cope with this increase in the number of fires, and overall size. These massive blazes increase the risk to the lives of firefighters. Will firefighting tactics change? One would think they would have to.
More information:
Alaska Wildfires
My Guest Blog for Women Writers, Women's Books: You Too Can Write Your Memoir
Woman forest firefighter tells it like it is
Forest firefighter Mary Pauline Lowry writes eloquently about what it's like to be a firefighter, and why those that take on this dangerous work love their job. I found it particularly interesting how she hit it right on the nail: we don't do this work thinking we will die on the fireline, but certainly know it's a possibility.
When I fought fires, the Elden Fire threatened homes, burning right up to the edges of neighborhoods. I cruised the fireline with my tanker crew, with strict orders NOT to get involved with structure fires. That made sense - we weren't trained to.
My supervisor in Kenai, Alaska demanded we carry Scott Air Packs in case we were asked to help with a structure fire. We were forced to have one on our truck, but refused to use them. We knew we were not qualified.
And here it is, 30+ years later, and the dilemma is still there. Why? Until wildfire fire crews are trained to fight structure fires, they have no business being involved. Even putting them in a situation where it may become inevitable is wrong. Fire officials need to take a long, hard look at firefighting strategies. I agree with Ms. Lowry. Something is wrong.
When I fought fires, the Elden Fire threatened homes, burning right up to the edges of neighborhoods. I cruised the fireline with my tanker crew, with strict orders NOT to get involved with structure fires. That made sense - we weren't trained to.
My supervisor in Kenai, Alaska demanded we carry Scott Air Packs in case we were asked to help with a structure fire. We were forced to have one on our truck, but refused to use them. We knew we were not qualified.
And here it is, 30+ years later, and the dilemma is still there. Why? Until wildfire fire crews are trained to fight structure fires, they have no business being involved. Even putting them in a situation where it may become inevitable is wrong. Fire officials need to take a long, hard look at firefighting strategies. I agree with Ms. Lowry. Something is wrong.
Why I loved my job
People ask me why I loved such a dangerous profession. Some have accused me of being an "adrenalin junkie" or being just plain crazy. They ask why I risked my life. Why would I want to work so hard for so little pay. Why did I put up with the discrimination.
Recently I found a book by Philip Connors called Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout. Although not a firefighter, Philip captures the essence of one in such a lovely, poetic way, I'm jealous.
Simply put, he describes firefighting this way:
"That wildfire could be fun was a fact known mainly by those who fought it. You slept outdoors. You felt a kinship with your crew members, brothers and sisters in a tough line of work. You hiked, parachuted, and rode helicopters over beautiful forests; you drove scenic roads, told dirty jokes under the stars, did your work in the wild."
Yup, that's why I did it. That's why I loved my job.
Recently I found a book by Philip Connors called Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout. Although not a firefighter, Philip captures the essence of one in such a lovely, poetic way, I'm jealous.
Simply put, he describes firefighting this way:
"That wildfire could be fun was a fact known mainly by those who fought it. You slept outdoors. You felt a kinship with your crew members, brothers and sisters in a tough line of work. You hiked, parachuted, and rode helicopters over beautiful forests; you drove scenic roads, told dirty jokes under the stars, did your work in the wild."
Yup, that's why I did it. That's why I loved my job.
Yarnell Hill tragedy explored in magazine article
Popular Mechanics recently published an in-depth article, trying to piece together what happened on that sad day where 19 men lost their lives. While no one will ever know exactly why the crew left their safe zone, this article discusses the possibility that they were trying to save a home.
If this is true, no one but the crew is to blame, since they took a risk that proved fatal. It's been said firefighters get caught up in the moment, getting a little bit braver each time they are exposed to danger and nothing happens. No amount training will change this.
If this is true, no one but the crew is to blame, since they took a risk that proved fatal. It's been said firefighters get caught up in the moment, getting a little bit braver each time they are exposed to danger and nothing happens. No amount training will change this.
Changing Fire Suppression
It goes without saying that wildfires have had a lot of press lately, especially with the catastrophic loss of so many firefighters last year. Many might be asking "So why are these fires getting so out of hand, and why are they so big compared to 20 years ago?"
The management of fire used to be all about putting them all out. Now that researchers know fire is important, if not essential, for a healthy forest ecosystem, total fire suppression is not a priority. However, backing off of 100-plus years of snuffing them all out is a very dangerous and risky task. Combining the western drought with the build-up of forest understory plants creates massive blazes that produce higher heat and destroy the seed source for the next generation of trees.
FireScape, a group of scientists and land management personnel, look for answers to managing the unique attributes of Arizona's Sky Islands, including the Santa Rita Mountains. There is much to be learned about the role of fire and how it affects these pockets of forest amidst the desert, and hopefully managing fire will progress to the point that we don't have to lose everything in order to bring back a healthy forest for future generations to enjoy.
The management of fire used to be all about putting them all out. Now that researchers know fire is important, if not essential, for a healthy forest ecosystem, total fire suppression is not a priority. However, backing off of 100-plus years of snuffing them all out is a very dangerous and risky task. Combining the western drought with the build-up of forest understory plants creates massive blazes that produce higher heat and destroy the seed source for the next generation of trees.
FireScape, a group of scientists and land management personnel, look for answers to managing the unique attributes of Arizona's Sky Islands, including the Santa Rita Mountains. There is much to be learned about the role of fire and how it affects these pockets of forest amidst the desert, and hopefully managing fire will progress to the point that we don't have to lose everything in order to bring back a healthy forest for future generations to enjoy.
The lone survivor of the Yarnell Hill Fire
Brendan Mcdonough survived the Yarnell Hill Fire, the only of of the Granite Mountain 19 to do so. Since he was posted as a lookout, he was not with the crew at the time the fire changed directions. He was ordered to leave his post, and he did. Why wasn't the hotshot crew ordered to leave as well? That question is still unanswered.
Listening to his interview is chilling, and reminded me of the many fires I'd been on and the potential for things to go wrong. At the time, I trusted my supervisors. Now, I wonder how many close calls I had that had the potential to be far worse.
Listening to his interview is chilling, and reminded me of the many fires I'd been on and the potential for things to go wrong. At the time, I trusted my supervisors. Now, I wonder how many close calls I had that had the potential to be far worse.
Former firefighter arrested for arson
Another former firefighter has been arrested for starting not only wildfires, but structure fires, too. This happens more often than one would like to think. I've always thought that people who love firefighting have a fascination with fire, and some cross the line to being so obsessive as to start their own, but I'm appalled it took them so long to catch this guy.
The problems with fire shelters
Anyone who is following the controversy behind the deaths of the Granite Mountain 19 has probably asked the question at least once: Why didn't the fire shelters save their lives?
When handed one of the first prototypes in 1977, my crew and I all were skeptical, and swore we would run rather than deploy. We also resented having to carry more weight, which slowed us down and meant carrying less drinking water - downright deadly when firefighting in the desert southwest. That skepticism prevails among fire crews today.
The original fire shelters were designed to withstand temperatures of 500 degrees F. Considering forest fires can reach temperatures up to 2000 degrees - what's the point? While we have the technology to build a better fire shelter that can withstand these high temperatures, they would be weight prohibitive, adding 40 lbs. to a firefighters gear. That is an unreasonable amount of weight to carry in addition to gear and water when you are trudging up steep slopes.
Researchers are working hard to come up with a better option without all the weight. The safety of firefighters on the line is more than carrying a better fire shelter, however. Had communications between the fire boss and the Granite Mountain 19 been better, someone would have recognized sooner they were in a dangerous place, and removed them before the tragedy hit.
When handed one of the first prototypes in 1977, my crew and I all were skeptical, and swore we would run rather than deploy. We also resented having to carry more weight, which slowed us down and meant carrying less drinking water - downright deadly when firefighting in the desert southwest. That skepticism prevails among fire crews today.
The original fire shelters were designed to withstand temperatures of 500 degrees F. Considering forest fires can reach temperatures up to 2000 degrees - what's the point? While we have the technology to build a better fire shelter that can withstand these high temperatures, they would be weight prohibitive, adding 40 lbs. to a firefighters gear. That is an unreasonable amount of weight to carry in addition to gear and water when you are trudging up steep slopes.
Researchers are working hard to come up with a better option without all the weight. The safety of firefighters on the line is more than carrying a better fire shelter, however. Had communications between the fire boss and the Granite Mountain 19 been better, someone would have recognized sooner they were in a dangerous place, and removed them before the tragedy hit.
Video of Granite Mountain 19's last few minutes chilling
This video, posted on Wildfire Today, makes the tragedy all too real.
It's quite apparent that management thought they were in a safe zone (the black), when it fact they were not. Seems to me that as important good communications are, they were sure lacking in this case. When overhead questioned the Hotshot's location, why didn't anyone ask them where they were?
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It's quite apparent that management thought they were in a safe zone (the black), when it fact they were not. Seems to me that as important good communications are, they were sure lacking in this case. When overhead questioned the Hotshot's location, why didn't anyone ask them where they were?
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