Chasing Fires
a stormy sunset over the hills
It was just another hot summer night here in paradise.
Thunder shook the house last night during supper so we hopped in the truck and went to the top of the hill with binoculars and a camera. A cloud to ground lightning show during sunset went on for about 30 minutes until we got a call to head to a fire. We drove back down to the house get Patrick into his fire gear and he headed out with the crew. The chase was on. They put out one fire near the Cooney Hills and went to another one on Black Mountain. He’s been Black Mountain all night and hasn’t made it home yet this morning. The helicopters are tackling this one with the ground crew this morning.
Such a warm welcome back home after a wet week on the Vineyard.
Uprooted Magnolia 
Sending safe thoughts your way, Leah – hope Patrick is okay and that they get things under control there very soon.
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Thank you! I guess these posts about fires are old-hat by now. We’ve had so many lately that it’s just another day. The helicopter with the bucket just dipped down in the river behind my house. A little too close for comfort but I’m glad he’s working this one.
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Is a he a volunteer? I almost think that the more fires that happen, the more we are sensitized to them and the destruction they cause. I know that I still scan the foothills skyline each afternoon on my way home, looking for that ominous pillar of smoke.
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Yes, Patrick is a volunteer firefighter so that means they take on the initial attack. They are on the lookout for a smoke plume during and after a lightning storm. Once they see one, they call it in, get dressed, and head out. If it gets away from them, that’s when the feds come in. So far it’s the volunteers and the forestry department on this one.
I think the fear is a little desensitized but they are very serious at getting it stopped and out before it gets out of control. But we are getting desensitized to the fear. At least I know I am.
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Never OLD HAT for me our country could FRY without men and woman to help slow it down or contain it. Sorry it is so nasty still.
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I guess I say old hat because it seems to be happening almost weekly. I haven’t even mentioned all the little ones he’s had to go put out. You’re right, we would totally burn down if it wasn’t for these fearless men and women that fight the flames for us. This one is 3 miles from us. But the acreage isn’t very large and I don’t think it’s traveling far. Thank goodness for that.
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So sad to see this in so many areas we get too much rain and you not enough 😦 Hope your husband gets to take a fresh breath soon HUGS
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Scary stuff. 😦
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The lightning is so frightening! My son is a firefighter with Forest Dept. – I am terrified everytime they get dropped off in some remote place.
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It IS frightening. Especially when I read the weather service announcement saying to expect dry cloud to ground lightning. There is no sugar coating it that’s for sure.
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It has been such a summer of fire. We have some of you smoke here, and it makes me sad.
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Well, this one is just about 1,000 acre fire. I believe we are surrounded by fires in Montana, Idaho and Utah. Ugh. I bet they can’t wait for snow either.
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Ciao Leah, great shot, hope that P is ok and not called out too much. We are still in the 40’s here and l keep hoping for rain and l am looking forward to september!
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Orange is my favorite color, Leah. As a result, I really love this picture. Gorgeous!
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Pretty scary! Hope you guys stay safe, it’s so dry out there. You don’t have to worry about hurricanes any more, just hazards of the land, like fires – geez.
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