I am sitting with a bagel and a cup of coffee. It is Monday morning, Labor Day. Hard to imagine that just 5 days ago I was in a quandary of weather or not to head to the ranch, to help with the fire that had just started the night before. Let me take you back and tell everyone what happened to the best of my ability, and from my perspective.
Tuesday 6:00pm- Verona called Mark to let him know that a fire had started on the home place of the ranch. Lightning struck in the yard, but the fire was headed West (thank the Lord, otherwise all the buildings would have burned before anyone got there). We were in Scottsbluff at the time of the call, and after getting home, Mark decided that he better go up and help.
Wednesday Morning- I talked to Verona. The fire was bad, "boiling". What to do? Stay or Go? First I called Harold, he moved patients to other days, and said go. I was to work in Sidney that day, so called Pedro. "No problem, you need to go." Next was Scottsbluff. "We will handle everything, go." Last but certainly not least, I called Sarah. "There's a fire at the ranch..." Sarah- "Yes the girls can stay here, go" So I went, with the knowledge that everything at home would be ok.
I first saw the smoke about 27 miles from Crawford. Of the 2 fires the Douthit fire was larger than the West Ash Creek, amazingg how things change. When I got to the ranch, Verona was feeding firemen in shifts as they came in. The fire was North of the house. What happened in the hours since, are somewhat of a blur. About 2:30pm, the fire came down the hills behind the house, from both the East and the West. We moved all the vehicles in the yard to the area that was already burned, and watched as the firefighters held the line. With fire lines and some back burning, the house and buildings were saved. Words cannot describe the feelings that go through a person, seeing men and women that have no vested interest in your land putting their lives on the line to save what is yours, all without pay. So any that may stumble across this little blog, thank you. It's not enough but its all I have.
The fire to the West of the house was held contained that afternoon. To the East the fire headed toward our old dump and the cabin (not ours). Fire crews from Harrison, Gering and Ardmore SD, worked all night back burning and fighting to keep the fire from crossing the road. They were succesful.
Thursday Morning- The winds shifted, and the West fire jumped the line! Here we go again! The fire burns all day and ends up on "Top" in more open ground. The feds take over the fire and the Smoke Jumpers come in and start back burning, to control the fire.
About 1:00 pm I head in with Mark to Crawford to take him to the Dr. The day before he smashed his thumb trying to unhook equipment from the tractor, so he could plow a fire line. Got to the Dr., and was not able to put in stitches, but he got a tetanus shot and antibiotics, and we were on our way again, after picking up supplies at the fire hall and grocery store.
Thursday- Sunday Morning- Most of the fires are contained. The People left are riding fire lines, making sure that fires don't flare up, and also watching tree roots, which can burn under ground, then come up outside the fire guard line.
I came home Saturday late afternoon. I was invited to Sarah's for supper then was picking up the kids. I dropped the Dog off first and fed him. What a wonderful thing to walk into a house that is so clean, when the house you ran out of on Wednesday morning was so dirty, and then a hot meal on top of it. Thank you Sarah!
I picked the girls up and ate dinner at Strawns, and that is the first the girls saw and heard how bad and close the fire was. Again I have to thank the Strawns for keeping the girls lives as normal as possible. That kept the stress off my shoulders of worrying about them.
Mark came home Sunday morning, after one more night of riding fire lines. With the shifting high winds, nobody wanted to leave until they were sure!
You may ask yourself, what did I have to go up there for? My job was to make sure that fire fighters had water or Gatorade, food and anything else they needed for them to do their job. Once the fire was out of our yard, we had to go looking for the fire fighters. The back of my Yukon was packed with coolers of water, Gatorade and ice. We also have found through experience that they want a hot meal, the sandwiches get old quick. We had sloppy joes, brats, fried chicken. For breakfast it was sausage gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs and sausage or breakfast burritos. We also carried wet clothes to wipe off hands and faces, chapstik, bandannas, pain relievers, decongestants, and anything else that we thought they might need. Our trips out were anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on how far the fire was and how many fighters we found.
So much more happened, but to write it all would fill more time and pages than I have time for now. As memories come up, you may hear more.
I don't like naming names in thank yous as I always forget someone, but I would like to thank the following people that became my rock, so I could be someone else's rock:
Charlee- you make everything bearable
Donna Norgard- I asked, and you made sure it was there
Pat- You came and worked, and was willing to do anything
Sarah- Never once called to ask how things were going, knowing I would call you when I had time, and sometimes when I didn't, sorry for hanging up on you.
Mom and Dad- You were willing to come and help, waited for my call.
My Co-workers who made it possible for me to leave.
Thank you!
