Midwestern Girl Meets Forest Fire...Part I
During one of my judging excursions to the western part of the country, a very large forest fire had developed the evening prior. So that you can understand my background, in Chicago (the city that almost completely burned in 1871), we made it a goal that all fires be extinguished almost immediately...so I just figured forest fires were handled the same way (here's where you start to chuckle at my ignorance...).
The next day was fairly cloudy and the air was thick (unusual since they had predicted clear skies...). Yeap you guessed it., The forest fire was still going and I was completely clueless. As is my job, I was diligently concentrating on each dog's performance (see picture to the right) - but there's a problem. First, I was from a time zone that was two hours ahead and it was lunch time in Chicago. Second, I could smell what I thought were big juicey burgers simmering on a grill, and my stomach was begging to be fed.
Later, as I'm doing paperwork, I mention how great the burgers smell...and that's when I'm informed that it's not a grill I'm sniffing, but rather an entire forest burning! So I think about that for a few minutes and then ask "How far away is the fire?" to which I'm told "Far...." Now my question is, if I can see the smoke and smell the fire, "How far is far?" (hey, a fair question since this is my first forest fire experience) at which they indicated that they didn't know. Not know?!?! But they just told me it was far....so in trying to assess if there is a potential emergency, I notice that all of the local folks were very calm and didn't appear worried.
Then it hits me, of course they're calm, they all have vehicles to evacuate in and they know how to get out of town...but I dodn't. So I struck up a deal with the trail secretary and told her "I'm counting on you to tell me when I need to worry. Until then, I just want to know where your car is parked so I can keep an eye on it!"
Coming from a city that almost completely burned because of a cow kicking over a lantern, I was perfectly happy with our little agreement (and I had a ride out of town if needed...)
