Washington Forrest Fire Firefighters

I have always considered Fire Fighters to be the most noble career choice in the world and still do. A fire fighter runs to danger and does his/her just with utmost diligence to help people in some way. Even when not fighting fires, they are constantly doing something for their communities be it food collections for the less fortunate, gathering gifts at Christmastime for under privileged kids and of course, their efforts to raise funding for the many hospital burn units around the world.

In Washington State, in the Winthrop/Twist area, we loss three heroes to a massive forest fire there. Many families have been evacuated from their homes in the Winthrop/Twist area, well known to bikers from near and far. Reports I have read suggest they were involved in some sort of motor vehicle accident in their efforts and were overcome by the fire. They were evacuated to medical centers where three succumbed to their injuries while one remains in unknown condition at this time.

My heart felt condolences go out to the loved ones of those fallen fighters and my hope for a complete recovery and speedy return to daily life for the one still in treatment.
Please take a moment to reflect on the heroism delivered every day by our firefighters and hope for their safe return to their families.

And for God's sake, in areas affected, it is not your right to have a camp fire. Also, never flick your butts. Those of you who do, are simple self serving morons and should consider yourselves partially responsible for injuries and death to our firefighters who are acting in the scope of their duties.

 

One of if not the worst fire years ever. If this the same 3 I read about yesterday it was a sudden wind shift that caused the fire to change direction. I know an old Smoke Jumper, one great guy.
Its hard enough to try and control the fires that mother nature starts, they don't need the stupidity of humans too.

 

There is a big one burning in soutj central BC, at Rock Creek. Town had been evacuated. So far has taken something like 30 homes. I think it covere a couple thousand acres now and only 50% contained. Human cause is suspected. Bastards.

Think when I get home from camping, I am going to try round up spme friends and tools and come back out here.

 

The crazy thing is this coming winter is supposed to be very wet because of El Nino. Sure could use a good soaking on the entire west coast. And Idaho.

 

I think that depends on where you are. I am sure I read the other day they are expecting a dry warmer PNW because of El Ninio. They are worried about the business side of the ski hills here.. I can't fugure that out.

 

Skill hills in BC were already screwed (or at least the ones closer to the coast) for the past few years with record low snow falls.

My father in law is a fire fighter, so my hat goes off to every single one of them ...

 

My hat is tipped to your father in law.

 

Sign on someones house near Twist: "It's only a house, be safe"

 

This is true. But it is still a home that can be lost. CBC radio interviewed the Sheriff from that county earlier today. You could hear the sense of exhaustion and helplessness in his voice.

 

Read another article this morning, they seem to be beyond exhausted and generally just gutted. The 3 that died is the fire after they crashed were all young. 20,26 and 30.
Randy you are probably correct about the winter weather for the PNW, I think the article I read was for California getting a lot of rain this winter. El Nino is welcome down here in Fla as it causes potential hurricane to be sheared apart before they can develop. We have one headed for the islands right now but its supposed to run into dry air and wind shear and reduce it to a tropical storm. But then again hurricane Andrew a cat 5 was in a El Nino year.........