Last weekend, Christopher headed east to Lumberton, NC area. The reason? To help with the containment and clean-up of wildfires there. Apparently, wildfires are more common with periods of drought and because NC has been so dry, the wildfires were pretty bad. Here is an email he sent out to immediate family with some pictures from his experience. Click HERE to see some media coverage of the fires.I made it back safely and earlier than expected from the wildfires in Robeson County, NC. It was quite an adventure, although it didn't last as long as expected. Myself and another ranger from the park headed down to Lumberton on Friday and were checked in and briefed about the fact that since July 24 there have been 151 fires, burning a total of 2,915 acres, causing 148 firefighters to be called out and costing $854,297.
Our strike team of 5 engines and 11 personnel got started the next day. We worked two 14 hr. days over the weekend, mopping up a 175+ acre wildfire. Basically, we wet and raked hot spots 50 ft. in from the perimeter fire breaks. We only had one close call...myself and 2 other parks people were 10 feet away from being crushed by a falling tree! The area we were in burned 12-24 inches into the peat, which means some of the trees roots were left exposed, and when the wind picked up, a tree toppled over (see the pic below).
It seems that we made history. It was the first time NC State Parks helped out NC Forestry with a wildfire...usually it's the other way around. In summary, it was long hrs., hot & dirty business but all-in-all a valuable experience.
It seems that we made history. It was the first time NC State Parks helped out NC Forestry with a wildfire...usually it's the other way around. In summary, it was long hrs., hot & dirty business but all-in-all a valuable experience.
Picture of tree that fell...barely missing Christopher!
