Fire snippet

It’s strange hearing about home from an outsider’s perspective.  On Thursdays the Blackduck Ranger District has a morning meeting that includes all the staff working out of our office.  During the meeting our fire coordinator announced that a crew from Minnesota was being sent out and that one of his boys would most likely be activated.  Partway through he left to answer a call and informed us that there are two hand crews from Minnesota being sent West to Oregon/Washington for assistance in fighting wildfires.  One of our seasonals will be going.  He’ll probably fly into Central Washington since the major fire is just north of Leavensworth. 

We have two other seasonals in our district as well as a crew boss who are all anxiously awaiting a national call.  The likelihood of a wildfire starting in Minnesota, especially this summer, is extremely slim since the state stays fairly wet all season.  Add out of place storms every other week and Minnesota can breathe easily.  For many folks who fight fire, a significant part of of their income for the season comes from responding to fires.  Those who can travel are placed on a national list and there’s a system involving factors like experience and pertinent skills that decides who gets sent out when the call is made.  I’ve got a few friends working fire in Washington and would be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious.  With over 800 firefighters already on scene I don’t doubt that they’re part of the action.  Central and Eastern Washington is on high alert now that summer is in full swing.