“Crack! The familiar sound sends a jolt through my body and I started moving before I could even open my eyes."

 

The Kern Canyon Ranger Station in Sequoia National Forest was wrapped in a protective wrap last week due an approaching wildfire. The U. S. Forest Service - Sequoia National Park shared this photo and an excerpt from a report written by one firefighter, who just got back from spending almost two weeks on the northeast portion of the #SQFComplex Fire, with a mission to protect the Kern Canyon Ranger Station.

“Crack! The familiar sound sends a jolt through my body and I started moving before I could even open my eyes. My captain must be splitting some more wood to add to our morning fire, his actions intended to be the crew’s wake up call. I quickly shake off the ash fallout from my sleeping bag and pack everything neatly into my red bag in a rush to join him.

We have been out in the Kern Canyon back country tasked with structure protection on the ranger station and a few other locations.

Each morning we would boil water over the fire to make coffee and open up an MRE for breakfast, saving parts to pack into our gear for lunch. Shivering from the cold, we huddled by the fire peeling off our warm layers to replace with our yellow nomex shirt. Standing by the warm fire, I thought back to the last night in my cozy warm bed and all the messages I sent out to family and friends, warning them that I would be without phone service for the duration of this assignment

Once fully geared up, our captain would lead us on a “warm-up” hike. We would race through the woods, making our way to patrol the fire’s edge. On each hike we would take note of the fire’s location, growth, and rate of spread. Would it reach the structures? Which direction would it come from? What actions could we take to mitigate its damage?

At the Kern Canyon Ranger Station, we run the pump and sprinkler set up that had recently put in place. The main structure stood tall in the center of the clearing, sparkling and reflecting the sunlight. A truly incredible sight. It had been entirely wrapped and secured in structure-wrap (similar looking to aluminum foil). Only a few more areas needed wrapping and as my crew mate and I finished the job, I couldn’t help but to feel like I was wrapping Christmas presents for my family. Each piece wrapped tight and secured with way too much tape, as my mother would say. “

While they may not be related by blood, the “fire family” that is created through sweat, fire, and hard work creates bonds which last a lifetime.