Posted by Willy-N on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 11:08AM :
Well another 14 days on the fire and I get a 2 day break. Strange part is a fire broke out 5 miles from my home and consumed 500+ acres but the got a line 75% around it now. So on the way home I got to see a big plume of smoke coming off our hill driving home in the Tender. I filled up with water before climing the hill. The road was blocked off but I got thru no problem. Our VFD is fighting it now and I get to stay home and rest which is different. I have put over 1,700 miles on the Tender on the Tripod Fire and it is over 128,000 acres in size and only 40% contained. I go back out for another 14 days and probley will be there till October or when the snow flys. I have 38 days on the fires so far and probley another 30+ to go. One heck of a season for the new trucks first year!! This piccture is of a drop of Retardent next to me to help control the fire from jumping our line. I have tons more but to tired to put them on the photo site yet. Been working 14-16 hour days and deffently earning my pay on this one. No problems with the Tender so far and have only had to pull back to the safe zones 7 times but all is going well! I am getting tired but the 2 days off help, but this 54 year old body is getting beat up!! Nice to be home for a while just wish we did not have fires so close to the house while I am gone! Mark H.
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