Silly me .. I thought fire season was over (DIAL UP WARNING)

[DemoTex]

Today was the first day of deer season (guns) in Oregon. For two days I have watched cars, trucks, RVs, camper trailers, etc., entering my little corner of the Deschutes National Forest (the southeast, high desert corner). Early morning today (Saturday 10/2/2010) sounded like a firefight in Viet Nam from up here in my fire lookout perch at 6500 feet. Poor Bambi.

After sunrise, I saw the predictable campfire smokes at various campsites. I plotted their positions and passed that info on so that the sites could be visited later to make sure the fires were out (or attended). Then I settled in to a lookout breakfast and hot coffee.

At about 10:30 AM one of our engine crews called to tell me they were coming up around 1 PM and bringing all the fixin's for a lookout cookout! Meanwhile, they had to patrol a couple of prescribed burns. About the same time, I heard the fire prevention specialist leaving town for my area to patrol and check campfires. All is well, I thought.

At 11:50 AM the shit hit the fan. I was scanning east, where I figured most of the hunter camps were, and a smoke literally exploded from the forest about 5.25 miles from me! I ran a quick and dirty position fix on the fire (which was growing before my eyes) and called in a "smoke report" to get some resources headed that way. A couple of minutes later I called in a fine-tuned position for the fire.

The rest of the story is in the photos. The USFS fire prevention guy was the first on the fire scene, and his GPS LAT/LON position in his fire size-up matched my plotted position EXACTLY. Whoo hoo! What a way to end a season (but it ain't over for another week, and they might extend it to 10/23)!

BTW: My engine crew was the first dispatched to the fire. I hope they find a hot little stump to cook those burgers, dogs, and brats! More photos and fire news tomorrow.


A few minutes after I called it in: Fire #804


Ruh-Roh! The smoke turns black - not good.


Ruh-Roh! Spot fires start to form.


This fire was growing fast! I suggested early on getting some heavy engines, a water tender, and some aviation assets on the fire - all of which were quickly ordered.


The big picture.


Initially, the winds were in our favor. Now, at 8:10 PM (pitch black dark), the winds are gusting to 20 knots and the trucks are out of water.


From inside the lookout at 2:47 PM.


The helo approaches a hot spot at the head of the fire that I called for a bucket drop.


The water drop (one of many). The bucket and water plume are easy to see, but the helo is not.

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. Very cool. I was curious if you had seen any air drops from your post. Neat! n/t

[spanone]

2. k&r

[Hekate]

3. Wow. Stay safe, and 5th Rec so all your fans here can see this

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear DemoTex!

Wow, you just never know, do you?

GREAT pics, as always...

I hope your season doesn't get extended...You need to go home, and so does Nick!

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date.....

I look forward to hearing the rest of the story tomorrow!

BIG recommendation!

[DemoTex]

5. Hi Peg ..

I'll try to post some more photos and comments early tomorrow. Some of my comments on this fire (and how it relates to some other pressing issues in a good way) might have to wait until after the season is over. I will allude to the problem tomorrow. Meanwhile, memos fly.

[elleng]

6. BRAVO, as always!

:thumbsup:

[TrogL]

7. i used to work for the Alberta Forest Service

Great post! Brings back memories.

[bahrbearian]

8. Actually the Deschutes belongs to all of us

"entering my little corner of the Deschutes National Forest" signed Life long North westerner

[DemoTex]

10. It even belongs to the yahoos that started the fire ..

The Deschutes National Forest and the BLM land to the east and south is, indeed, public-owned land. However, I am rather possessive of the 1.5+ million acres which I overlook and protect from wild-land fire. About 98% of the public "owners" of the Deschutes NF share my love and respect for this land. The other 2% - owners, too - could care less and treat the forest accordingly.

[pinboy3niner]

9. From gallery showings to...movie script?

Your experience in the tower provides lots of fodder for expression in art, through both your photography and story-telling. You're very talented at both. And since photographing from the tower is ending for the season, I expect you'll turn to more writing. Probably not screenwriting, but certainly a book. I hope so.

After all, you're folowing in the footsteps of Kerouac and the rest. I suspect you'll be using your 'down time' well.

And whenever you feel a need for support and encouragement, you've got a fan club here.

In the meantime, be sure and keep your head down. That tower's not armored! (And I bet you wish you had a flak jacket about now.) :)

Thanks for the story, and stay safe, brother...

K&R

[dogday]

11. I always love looking at your pictures. I even feel sad at the end

of the season when you leave and take your goodbye pictures. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I know I really enjoy looking at the beauty of this earth through your eyes. :hug:

[Moonbat2]

12. Nice Life

I am jealous of your job/location.

[onehandle]

13. Sounds like not such a good time to wear your pantomime deer costume. nt

[zenprole]

14. Great Post

outstanding

[Gamey]

15. Thanks for your service!

I know very well the effects careless hunters can have. My father darned near lost his house.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigo_Fire

[BrklynLiberal]

16. Wow! Guess that fat lady did not finish her song....

Great pics...yet again.