Soĺ Cal fires
We saw sustained 20 mph winds and 30-40 mph gusts within seconds, and by then there was nothing we could do. The fire burned through the dry, waist-high grass just as fast as the wind was blowing. We had to bail. It jumped the 4 lane highway and got into the neighborhood. I don't remember how many structures we lost, but I will always feel regret and self doubt, wondering if there was anything we could've done differently. Luckily, nobody was hurt.
Wildfires are a force to be reckoned with. We win, eventually, but if Mother Nature has other plans, there ain't nothing you can do but get out of her way.
It's hard to tell, but in the second photo, those flames are about 20 feet long and laying down sideways.
100%. In 2011, I was working the Monument Fire in AZ. The fire was about to crest a hill and begin burning down towards the town. We cut dozer lines and were beginning to back burn the grassy field that the fire was heading towards. The little wind that there was, was at our backs and blowing towards the fire. Everything was moving slowly with plenty of time. We began our back burn and everything was going as planned, until the wind picked up and shifted direction.
We saw sustained 20 mph winds and 30-40 mph gusts within seconds, and by then there was nothing we could do. The fire burned through the dry, waist-high grass just as fast as the wind was blowing. We had to bail. It jumped the 4 lane highway and got into the neighborhood. I don't remember how many structures we lost, but I will always feel regret and self doubt, wondering if there was anything we could've done differently. Luckily, nobody was hurt.
Wildfires are a force to be reckoned with. We win, eventually, but if Mother Nature has other plans, there ain't nothing you can do but get out of her way.
It's hard to tell, but in the second photo, those flames are about 20 feet long and laying down sideways.