Our first Dispatch, Cayuse Mtn. Fire

I was beginning to get nervous about not getting a fire dispatch. Being so far down the list, we had many close calls. Just not the call we wanted. We were close several times. But still no call.

The news continued to report of fires but still no dispatch. Then we heard of a number of new fires started in Washington State. I was hopeful we would get a call. 

Finally the phone rang. I looked and the caller id showed it was dispatch. I almost didn't believe it. It was in fact a dispatch. We were sent to the Cayuse Mtn. Fire in Welpinit Washington. It was on a part of the Spokane Indian reservation.

First E number 102

We arrived around ten pm and checked in. The next morning we had a briefing and we went out to the fire. At the briefing they gave us the background of where the fire started and how fast it moved. They worked through the night and they saved many homes. They did so at the risk of their lives and at the risk of their equipment. But no one lost their life.

Pre-briefing

Welpinit Ranger Station

Staging

We went out to the fire and we drove out to the lookout tower for a birds eye view.

We also got familiar with our assigned area and the people we were working with. On my next post I will show you more of what we did on this fire. Again we saw a lot of cool things and also met many good people. We also had the privilege to go to the local Indian powwow.

I will have the next post coming soon!