So there I was deep in the brush, soaked with chainsaw exhaust and fuel, with oil all over me, smoke all around at the top of the highest mountain in the region where the air was thin. Me and the 19 others sweaty, salty and fed up beyond belief people trudging forward bound and determined. with trees brush and bushes all around and twice as tall as I in the way of finishing the endeavor, all I had to rely on was my partners, tools and "can do attitude". The body was failing but the spirit remained, with the goal in mind but out of sight we trudged on. sweat building up, salt stains from head to toe and dirt, ash and grime everywhere as if intentionally placed there but in vain it was for glory save the fame. we were working hard, feverishly, as if there was a thirst inside that was unquenchable. 8 hours ticked by then 10 then 15 then 21 here we go get some shut eye in the ditch, so far away from home and out of touch with reality with a rock for a pillow and the dirt for a bed. What was this reality, how was I here and what was this in actuality? 20 min is up, "get back to it!" And the trudging on continues with the deep hope for some avail we trudged for what seemed like hours. The smoke was thick the ash was deep and the heat was unbelievable. Clothing was soaked and everything hurt from head to toe but the goal remained. Here we go trudge on crew 2... tink tink tink...what is that in the distance...tink tink tink tink... can it be... tink tink tink tink tink... is it so the sound of angels tink tink tink tink tink,,,, there it is the D8n dozer is plowing thru, the wild fire has been anchored flanked and pinched with fire line all around it.
The Importance of Fuels Crews in Fire Prevention
Wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem, but they can also be devastating to communities and the environment. In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent and destructive, due in part to climate change and increased human activity.
Fuels crews are a critical part of fire prevention. They work to reduce the amount of fuel available to wildfires by thinning trees, removing dead and dying vegetation, and conducting prescribed burns. This makes it more difficult for fires to start and spread, and it can help to protect communities from the devastation of wildfires.
There are a number of ways that fuels crews can be used to prevent fires from happening in the first place. Here are a few examples:
Thinning trees: Fuels crews can thin trees to create firebreaks and to reduce the density of vegetation. This makes it more difficult for fires to spread.
Removing dead and dying vegetation: Fuels crews can remove dead and dying vegetation to reduce the amount of fuel available to fires. This includes things like downed trees, limbs, and brush.
Conducting prescribed burns: Prescribed burns are controlled burns that are used to manage vegetation and reduce the risk of wildfires. Fuels crews can help to implement prescribed burns in a safe and effective manner.
Monitoring fire behavior: Fuels crews monitor fire behavior to assess the risk of wildfires. They use this information to plan and implement fuel treatments.
Training other firefighters: Fuels crews train other firefighters in the use of hand tools, chainsaws, and other equipment. They also train firefighters in fire behavior and fire suppression.
By taking these steps, fuels crews can help to prevent wildfires from happening in the first place. This can save lives, property, and the environment.
In addition to the above, here are some constructive solutions for more prevention with fuel crews activity to prevent fires from happening in the first place:
Increase the number of fuels crews: The more fuels crews there are, the more work they can get done. This will help to reduce the amount of fuel available to wildfires and make forests and rangelands more resilient to fire.
Give fuels crews more training: Fuels crews need to be trained in the use of the latest equipment and techniques. This will help them to be more effective in their work.
Deploy fuels crews earlier: Fuels crews should be deployed earlier in the fire season, before fires have a chance to get too big. This will help to prevent large, destructive wildfires.
Coordinate with other agencies: Fuels crews should coordinate their work with other agencies, such as the Forest Service and the National Park Service. This will help to ensure that all of the resources are being used effectively.
Use technology: Technology can be used to help fuels crews to be more effective. For example, drones can be used to survey areas for fuel treatments and to monitor fire behavior.
By taking these steps, we can better leverage fuels crews to prevent wildfires from happening in the first place. This will help to protect our forests, watersheds, and communities from fire.
Conclusion
Fuels crews play an important role in fire prevention. By reducing the amount of fuel available to wildfires, they can help to make forests and rangelands more resilient to fire. This can save lives, property, and the environment. There are a number of ways that fuels crews can be used to prevent fires from happening in the first place. By increasing the number of fuels crews, giving them more training, deploying them earlier, and coordinating with other agencies, we can better leverage fuels crews to prevent wildfires from happening in the first place. This will help to protect our forests, watersheds, and communities from fire.
Travis Stone and Bard
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