A Bit of Redemption

On our way home from the disaster at the Mustang Complex we received a new dispatch. We didn't even get home. We made it to Boise. So we went on to Shoshone and checked in and the BLM guys apologized for bringing us in there. They told us that the fire was out because of rain.

They took us out to the fire anyway. It was a long drive on dirty, dusty roads. We made it to the fire later in the day and did a bit of mop up. Well that is a stretch for sure. There was a couple of smokes we put water on. To tell the truth I saw more fire coming out of peoples cigarettes.

That night we went out farther to a military bombing range and slept there for two nights in the sagebrush. The second day we patrolled the fire. Mostly we sat in the air conditioned truck drinking water and watching large dust devils pass us by. Very boring. Then yesterday they demobbed us. We thought we would be going to another fire but we made it home without a call. Maybe we are done for the season and maybe not.

The redeeming factor is this time we got paid for all three days we worked.

Below is a few pictures of the grand excitement:

On the way to the fire. Cool looking rock formations.

Yes it was very dusty

BLM Engine

Welcome to camp

At the official end of fire season I will try to make a photo overview of the season.

Crazy season

Our t-4 engine had the transmission go out of it. That was only the beginning of the crazy stuff. Long story short we had to demob.We also didnt get paid for one shift and three travel days.

On the way home we made it to Boise and were dispatched to Shosonee. So we moteled up and left Boise this morning. Now we are at the BLM office waiting to see if we are going to work. We came with a renewed spirit thinking we may finish out our season with 14 days but now it sounds very suspect. The fire was doused with heavy rain last night. They said we would maybe stage or maybe mop up. But it sounds like we wont get as many days as we hoped. But at the least we will finish our season with a paying fire.

On the road again: The good and the bad

Heading out to Idaho today instead of the morning. however then reason we are leaving early is because the engine there blew the transmission. So the owner is taking another engine up to replace it. I will be towing the  trailer up there to bring the other engine home for repairs. Then I will go on shift tomorrow night. We may be there for the month weather permitting. As always I will try to give updates on the fire and the goings on.  The North Fork store has free Wifi so as I am able I will update this blog. See you soon....

A Couple of Day's of R and R

I am back for a couple of days and then it's back to work. Weather permitting I will be there from a few days up to a month.

As of today the fire is over 99,000 acres. The cell signal is poor at best. I tried to post an update but was unable. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I will keep trying to keep you all posted. I found out the North Fork store has free wifi so I will try to update when I go by.

We have had a good time. Good assignments and good people to work with. We have seen lot's of wildlife. We have seen Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Deer, Bald Eagles, and even a couple of Rattle Snakes. In fact I walked right over the top of them. Yikes!

Below is a few pictures of what is going on. I will have more to come as well. So far I have taken well over 300 pictures.

We often have to stop to let the Sheep pass

We hiked into this cabin to make sure no one was in there. It was in Owl Cr.
It is likely gone now

A Lamb

This is not a cloud. Well it is but it is created by the fire. It's called a plume dominated fire.

Burrito Oven

The fire is making a sustained run up the hill.

Just in time. The bridge construction materials were just starting to burn.

Smoke so thick it looks like fog

Fire backing down to the Salmon river

Two Big Boys

Finally saw fire

We worked a double shift yesterday and finally saw some fire. It came over theridge and crept down to the house we have been protecting. There is 5 engines in our area that have set up a sprinkler system to run around the houses. Then we have been running them with Mark 3 pumps from the nearby creek. Today we found out we are going onto night shift. We may be on it untill the end of our tour. We should be back home around the 23 or so.
It looks like we will have a second tour on this fire so our stay at home will be a short one. As usual i will try to keep you posted as i have service. Thank you for all of your comments. I am sorry i am not able to answer them all but i will try to when i get home.
Today we are in Salmon doing laundry before we go on shift tonite so i wanted to give a update to you. Sorry for the poor writing on these posts but i usually have only a few seconds or minutes to update if any.
I have taken lots of pictures and will post them when i get home or soon after the season is over.
Thanks for following along with me!
To Mike W: aaarruuuuu oh common!

Mustang fire

To update you the fire is growing slowly. We are doing structure protection. We are also on ia for new starts. Today we are checking out the roads we are doing the ia for. Now we are up at the Blue Nose Lookout.  So i thought i would update you a little. The Salmon river is very beautiful. We have seen bighorn sheep and eagles,deer and elk. We are scheduled to demobe on the 23rd. I will update as i can. We are in Idaho but coming up here this morning we briefly were in Montana

No service at camp

No service at all but i can tell you this it is a wilderness fire. We may be doing structure protection. But it is doubtful we will see any fire. Unfortunately i wont have an update to soon inless there is a change in circumstances. Hope to have an update soon.....