It can be easy to take for granted the sense of community built in the fire world until it’s abruptly taken away. Part of the job of being a wildland firefighter is that for many, the gig is a 6-month commitment and then we’re let go. From 100 to zero in an instant. And that can be hard.
Read MoreFriendship - Forged by Fire: Part II
In July, I had the privilege of joining a type 2 throw-together crew for a two-week fire assignment to Montana. These temporary crews are a 20-person handcrew with a mix of individuals from each district on the forest. An excellent time to meet new people in your profession & forge new friendships.
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Will makes the sloping cut of his Humboldt-style face cut while doing project work.
Friendship - Forged by Fire: Part I
It can be incredibly difficult to step out of your comfort zone, into the unknown. The hardest part about any change can be starting over. That’s something this blog series will explore as I step into a new crew, on a new forest, in a new region.
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An Open Letter to Those Who Will Listen
Below is a letter I’ve sent to multiple senators & representatives on behalf of Wildland Firefighters, currently recognized as Forestry Technicians.
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The Yager Lookout Tower sits abandoned, left exposed to the element as time does its dirty work.
Lookout Towers of Eastern Montana
They beckon back to the days of old, when the forests & grasslands were watched, the hard way. Dedicated individuals would sit atop high towers on mountain tops or simply tall hills to keep an eye out for fires.
Read MoreView of the ranger office from the East
Diving Into Forest Service History at Beaver Creek
The Beaver Creek Ranger Station was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It includes a historic ranger residence, office and barn/shop/garage. In 1993, it officially made the National List of Historic Places for its unique Craftsman/Bungalow-style architecture.
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Fire Overwatch on 4th of July
Last fire season, part of the Plains-Thompson Falls fire crew was sent down to Payson, Az to assist with any fires around a particularly busy time of the year, 4th of July. As you can expect, fireworks are a big deal. And being that the Tonto National Forest is a playground for Phoenix & the surrounding areas, they wanted a little extra help, just in case.
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