babsbag
Herd Master
I live in CA and summer wildfires have always been a part of my memories of summer but up until a few years ago we always lived in a fairly populated area and wildfires weren't much of a threat. Now it is different as I live in a very dry grassland/scrub oak area with many canyons and hard to get to places.
Right now there is a fire burning about 10 miles from me and while we are not in anyway threatened I am very aware that it is there and my heart goes out to those people whose homes are in imminent danger. There are some other large fires in our state right now and the firefighting resources are scattered and thin and while there are ground crews on the fire there has been no air support available as they have been committed to fires hours away. A little bit ago I was outside working and I heard a plane, then another plane, and now a third. I can't explain the sense of relief and respect I have for those planes and their pilots. I look up at them and say a silent prayer. Seldom a summer goes by that we don't lose a plane while fighting a fire and yet they continue. The difference they can make in a wild land fire battle is astonishing and until you live in this kind of area and see them in action I don't know if you can fully understand. The same can be said for the helicopters.
The planes that carry fire retardant have been a part of my summer memories ever since I was little. You would here the planes sometimes before you even knew there was a fire in the area. They have a certain sound too, and I can identify them by ear. I married a firefighter and while he doesn't fight fire any more it makes my respect and appreciation for the job these courageous firefighters and pilots do even greater.
May God be with all of them and their families and the homes they are protecting.
Right now there is a fire burning about 10 miles from me and while we are not in anyway threatened I am very aware that it is there and my heart goes out to those people whose homes are in imminent danger. There are some other large fires in our state right now and the firefighting resources are scattered and thin and while there are ground crews on the fire there has been no air support available as they have been committed to fires hours away. A little bit ago I was outside working and I heard a plane, then another plane, and now a third. I can't explain the sense of relief and respect I have for those planes and their pilots. I look up at them and say a silent prayer. Seldom a summer goes by that we don't lose a plane while fighting a fire and yet they continue. The difference they can make in a wild land fire battle is astonishing and until you live in this kind of area and see them in action I don't know if you can fully understand. The same can be said for the helicopters.
The planes that carry fire retardant have been a part of my summer memories ever since I was little. You would here the planes sometimes before you even knew there was a fire in the area. They have a certain sound too, and I can identify them by ear. I married a firefighter and while he doesn't fight fire any more it makes my respect and appreciation for the job these courageous firefighters and pilots do even greater.
May God be with all of them and their families and the homes they are protecting.