San Diego Oct 26th

From inside this city, it looks like a ring of running fires occasionally
flaring into a slithering line of impossibly bright orange. The fires block
drivers nearly everywhere and for the first time in years, the San Diego sky is
almost completely empty of aircraft. I have seen a few helos working hard --
unfortunately, it was the local life flight folks. The sky was the most
bizarre I have ever seen. A general pall surrounds great swaths of our county,
swelling eyes and subtle, drifting ash are everywhere. Any attempt to drive is
difficult due to the blowing ash and reduced visibility. I was up at the edge
of Miramar for most of the day with a few shell-shocked friends that wandered
just what was important and what value time had when a dancing chorusline of
fire comes over the horizon. A lady that I've known twenty years came out into
the smoke with a painting, a Chagal and that was the one thing out of her
entire house that she wanted to have saved. "Cool - its one of Marc's." We
watched the fire approach and the wind turn ugly, shuttling trucks and moms and
kids with all the things they felt irreplaceable, all under a thick blanket of
smoke. The virgin scrub that stretched for miles at Miramar butted against a
cul de sac that had no defense whatever against the beast rampaging down the
street. We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering furiously
all came down - time to go. Evacuations were within three miles, with the
surface streets curiously empty, fast food restaurants doing brisk business,
and highways all closed down entirely. The hot afternoon air suddenly kicked
around as the onshore flow arrived. The temp fell a few degrees and the smoke
abuptly changed direction, taking its fire with it as it bypassed our friend's
neighborhood.

We'd like the firefighters and the water bomber crews to know that we
appreciate what they are doing and that we want them to all finish their task
safely.

v/r
Gordon
====(A+C====
USN SAR Aircrew

"Got anything on your radar, SENSO?"
"Nothing but my forehead, sir."

"Gordon" wrote in message
...
From inside this city, it looks like a ring of running fires occasionally
flaring into a slithering line of impossibly bright orange. The fires
block
drivers nearly everywhere and for the first time in years, the San Diego
sky is
almost completely empty of aircraft. I have seen a few helos working
hard --
Snip.

We'd like the firefighters and the water bomber crews to know that we
appreciate what they are doing and that we want them to all finish their
task
safely.

v/r
Gordon



Thanks Gordon, I was going to ask you tis evening for an update.


There's very little good that comes out of all this. The tangible
reminders of preparation are reinforced for those who groups need it -
desire safety, prepare for chaos. Like ours, your natural scrubland
probably benefits from a deep burn every few generations.


There are no words of comfort for a family who's home is a smoking hole in
the ground - except that the things which are truly important are those that
are left remaining. Relationships, memories and the dog, hastily
thrown in the car on the way out can sustain a family while the material
things are replaced.


Fires, wars and disasters sharply focus a community's priorities back to
where they belong - thanks to all those fighting for us and our best wishes
to those in harm's way.


Regards


Dave Kearton

"Dave Kearton"
wrote:

Fires, wars and disasters sharply focus a community's priorities back to
where they belong - thanks to all those fighting for us and our best wishes
to those in harm's way.


Regards


Dave Kearton


Well said Dave...
--

-Gord.

nt (Gordon) wrote:

We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering
furiously all came down - time to go.

v/r
Gordon

Very well put Gordon...hard not to feel their loss...

Incidentally, you need to write a book, I can feel it trying to
get out of you there...
--

-Gord.

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 15:37:53 GMT, "Gord Beaman" )
wrote:

(Gordon) wrote:

We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering
furiously all came down - time to go.

v/r
Gordon

Very well put Gordon...hard not to feel their loss...

Incidentally, you need to write a book, I can feel it trying to
get out of you there...

Must agree with the far more eloquent writer (and others who have
responded) whom I have quoted.

Nice, very nice look at a *nasty* situation. Ever consider
journalism?:-)

In all seriousness, I'm watching CNN at the moment (I like their
morning stuff better than that from FOX, MSNBC, or the Scranton local
stations, not that I agree); It looks like the pits of (forested)
Hell. Get out soon and stay safe...And, God? Take my slim share of
luck today. I need it pretty badly, yeah...but the firefighters and
their comrades need it far more.

John

PS: I've heard much re the Reagan Library. What're they doing re the
records there?

Fires, wars and disasters sharply focus a community's priorities back to
where they belong - thanks to all those fighting for us and our best wishes
to those in harm's way.

Two old Stoofs joined the battle at first light - sure looks surreal out
there..

Thanks for the comments, guys - we're fine but the kids are scared all to hell.
Its a real mess out there. We could really use a few more firebombers but I
know others need them too.

v/r
Gordon

John Penta wrote:
On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 15:37:53 GMT, "Gord Beaman" )
wrote:

nt (Gordon) wrote:

We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering
furiously all came down - time to go.

v/r
Gordon

Very well put Gordon...hard not to feel their loss...

Incidentally, you need to write a book, I can feel it trying to
get out of you there...

Must agree with the far more eloquent writer (and others who have
responded) whom I have quoted.

Nice, very nice look at a *nasty* situation. Ever consider
journalism?:-)

In all seriousness, I'm watching CNN at the moment (I like their
morning stuff better than that from FOX, MSNBC, or the Scranton local
stations, not that I agree); It looks like the pits of (forested)
Hell. Get out soon and stay safe...And, God? Take my slim share of
luck today. I need it pretty badly, yeah...but the firefighters and
their comrades need it far more.

Amen to that.

PS: I've heard much re the Reagan Library. What're they doing re the
records there?

As of about an hour ago, CNN reported that it was apparently not in any
immediate danger.

George Z.

Incidentally, you need to write a book, I can feel it trying to
get out of you there...


I've got a binder with 85 flying stories with over 300 photos all set to go.
Unfortunately, my stuff isn't of a quality that publishers desire, so for now,
the binder serves as a reminder that I used to have a very cool job

Nice, very nice look at a *nasty* situation. Ever consider
journalism?

I'm such a complete idiot that my one competitor (Geralduh) is able to
completely freeze me out of the profession. Dangit.

It looks like the pits of (forested)
Hell. Get out soon and stay safe...And, God? Take my slim share of
luck today. I need it pretty badly, yeah...but the firefighters and
their comrades need it far more.

Firmly agree. With some of the guys on the line for 48+ hours, its not easy to
sit with the kids and not go off to help. Fact is, they only want professional
firefighters on the line, but I wouldn't say no if I could make a difference.

v/r
Gordon

It looks like the pits of (forested)
Hell. Get out soon and stay safe...And, God? Take my slim share of
luck today. I need it pretty badly, yeah...but the firefighters and
their comrades need it far more.

Firmly agree. With some of the guys on the line for 48+ hours, its not easy
to
sit with the kids and not go off to help. Fact is, they only want
professional
firefighters on the line, but I wouldn't say no if I could make a difference.

v/r
Gordon


If I was not back in school, I would be there most likely right now on the
lines. I spent most of August in Montana on the big fires around Missoula.

Hopefully they do not have anyone on the lines that long, although in emergency
situations things may happen, although they are not supposed to anymore. And
these long hours, go on day after day, sometimes 2-3 weeks at a time.

True, they will not let anyone near the fire who is not supposed to be there.
But if you want to do something, there are still things you can do. Homecooked
cakes, cookies, were extremely appreciated at the fire camp. A 16 year old
kid even raised money to bring us pizza hut pizza one night, and we literally
sprinted over to get some of it. Some of these small acts, were definetely
appreciated by exhausted firefighters, and are good for morale, even the signs
saying Thank You, helped to remind us people were glad we were there.




Ron
Pilot/Wildland Firefighter

Thanks Ron - will do.

Gordon