The Margaret fire ...

[kishenehn]

My apologies for nearly a month of LJ radio silence, but things have been surprisingly busy up here at Baptiste the last three weeks. Definitely not something that someone sitting in a fire lookout is usually able to say

Comments

[gracegiver]

I assume you have a great exit plan if needed!
Scary stuff.

Love,
Mom

[kishenehn]

Ha! My parents have both been gone for years, but I often wonder what they'd think of this ridiculous summertime hobby. They were outdoorsy enough that I think they would have mostly approved, while at the same time questioning my broader sanity.

And my Mom would have definitely worried about the fire. My Dad would have just kept telling me that I should be packing a gun at all times when I'm out there. :-p

(For the record, there's a helispot right at the lookout, and the forest would have happily scooped me and the dogs up at a moment's notice if it became necessary.)

[restoman]

For your sake, I'm glad it's on the other side of the river!

Is it mostly burning in the underbrush or has it worked its way into the treetops too?

Stay safe!!!

*Hugs*

[kishenehn]

Honestly, I was glad, too! All of the view, but hardly any of the risk. A helicopter evacuation would have been kind of fun, though. ;-p

The fire area was mostly forested, but not very densely, especially compared to what an eastern forest looks like. Lots of trees burned, for sure, but the fire wasn't as intense as many of them are, so I think the mountain will end up with a mosaic of burned and unburned areas. Probably actually a pretty healthy scenario for the forest in the long run ...

*hugs back*

[seekerval]

I'm almost word-less. Of course, I can think up a FEW .... Holy Moly, that's an amazing flaming world you've discovered! What a smoke monster in that first photo you took! With its two front paws--claws scraping the trees back into its smokey body to feed the fire! And the others are also a bit stunning.

Stay safe, friend Mark! Thank you for what you and your dogs do. I'm glad you're sensible enough to not stay there too long.

[kishenehn]

It was super-cool to watch, that's for sure! Even though I feel slightly guilty about spending all that time marveling at how cool it was. :)

Really interesting to photo-document, too ... seeing how the weather and geography and time changed things. I had to send pics down to the fire office every day, of course, and I have a pretty good visual sequence of the fire's lifespan, which is pretty neat.

And of course if it had ever gotten scary, they would have sent a helicopter for me and the dogs, which would have been super-cool, as well!

[seekerval]

"I feel slightly guilty about spending all that time marveling at how cool it was"

Well, m'dear ... You ARE a pro and, thus, should keep a calm attitude with clear vision and judgement. To give the fire its just due of appreciating its Coolness Rating is only fair. It could even be considered a highly valid characteristic of description. Thus, no Guilt for doing your job to the very limits of observation and assessment!

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[thoughtsbykat]

Wow, hope it burns itself out soon. Thank you for all you do. Stay safe!

[kishenehn]

Thanks. I had the time of my life, actually. :)

The fire area got an inch of rain towards the end of last week, and that was just about the end of it. It will keep smoking a little until winter, though ...