I was just about to post the first of three blogs about the 1994 Big Creek Fire.
“The Big Creek Fire Part I: Blame it on the Squirrel”
I liked going to the field. The real action was in the field, and the truth is it’s just plain fun; driving through the campgrounds, visiting the sailboat regattas, talking to cabin owners and answering questions at the visitor center. Being a ‘friendly ranger’ is cool.
One Wednesday in August, in the height of field season, Nancy Woolsey and I had planned a day patrolling Huntington Lake. The weather was beautiful and there were plenty of people to talk with. Even busy friendly rangers are allowed a lunch break so we thought we would pop into Cedar Crest Resort, say ‘hi’ to Dotty, the Permittee, and order a cheeseburger on the back deck of the Restaurant. We were probably having a discussion on how ‘life is good’ when the chef brought us our order and told us he could see smoke from a fire on the west end of the lake. “That’s very interesting,” we replied and said that maybe a trash can was on fire and we would check it out after lunch. While paying our tabs, the subject comes up again. “You should see the smoke, you should check it out”. We get our change and assure them that someone has likely already put it out, but we would see what was going on. Emerging from the trees we look to the west and we are shocked “Oh shit. That’s not a fire, that’s an explosion!” We hurried over to Eastwood Visitor Center to see what had blown up…
The evacuation of Huntington Lake… the water in the lake was black and moved like thick used motor oil…
The air tankers dumped their loads of blood red retardant that flowed down the streets of Big Creek…
Unaware that I was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning…. I sobbed knowing that people’s homes were burning… We had failed our mission!
Then, over the radio I hear fellow Fire Information Officer, Mike LeFever’s voice …
That’s all I can post for now.
The second Big Creek Fire blog is called “The Big Creek Fire Part II: Blame it on the Permit”
It is eleven years after the Big Creek Fire and people don’t believe me when I complain about how much of my time is being consumed by this project. ‘Wasn’t that a long time ago, and why are you still working on it?’ I reply that that’s a very good question and even though the fire is out, and the firefighters went home and spent their overtime checks, it isn’t over… copies of files, special use permits, depositions, questions, and recollections…
“Where did you go to college? What classes did you take? Who worked for you in 1998? Have you ever seen this document? What is SUDS? What did you find that was interesting? What was your job on the Big Creek Fire? What was your conclusion?”
“I object. The question is vague and calls for speculation. Don’t answer it…”
Last, but not least, there will be a blog “The Big Creek Fire Part III: No More Blame.”
But after discussions with the US Attorney, I’ve decided that I can’t post these blogs until a judge or an attorney or two says it’s all over.
When do you think it will end?
I can tell stories, but the blogs will have to wait. So Judge, what do you think?
“I think you should check out the cool wildfire photos at www.wildlandfire.com.”