Two Camo Princesses and our Prince Charming: Portage Fire

So as we were headed to East Canyon... again.. and almost to Morgan.. again when another grass fire came in. This one was in Portage. We laughed and just kept driving. We made it to camp and relaxed maybe a whole 30 min when my dad called Todd and asked where in the hell we were because the fire had blown up on them, he was bringing in air attack and he needed us 3. The power had been out at East Canyon for 2 days.. the kids had swam their little hearts out and we were going to go home in just over 12 hours anyways. We all talked about it and decided since resources were SO strapped from the Willard Murray Hill fire and now there was another big fire we probably should just pack up camp and head home. So we did.

We got home, KayCee wanted to stay (which was perfect) so she watched Kennedy. Chirs picked up Taylor, Todd picked me up and we headed to Portage by 330 Saturday. They had the majority of the lower level flames knocked down by the time we got there 2 hours after it started. The fire had spread up the mountain side instead.

They had a helicopter PJ7 out of Morgan. They had a pumpkin (the big orange pool) set up with a tender filling it so the helicopter could dip out of it.

We went to command. Chris was over the North Division. We were tasked with quickly driving around and delivering food to the people working and then joining Chris. You burn A LOT of calories fighting fire for an hour or two. Replenishing those calories and keeping your stamina up to keep working is a big deal.

The 'road' we are on is one the county dozer (who contracts for wildland fires) hurried and cut around the fire as a stop line.

Our job as the North East division was to climb this mountain. We had 3 SEATS (planes) and one helicopter working on making a line around the fire. Our job was to hike up along the burn edge, work the line and tie in with the air attack to secure the line.

It was pretty steep

One of the SEATS doing a drop. They had to fly right over the point of the mountain and try to drop the retardant down the hill.

My helicopter selfie

We are in radio communications with the air team but with the helicopter it helps if you tie flagging to your tool and show them exactly where you need a drop and how you want it.

This is Chris directing them in

and Todd doing the same. This is roughly 300 gallons of water. The pilot has his door open on the bird and is hanging out partially as he is flying the helicopter in and watching you so he can see where its dropping. When youre close to the area you stop work and keep an eye on the bird just in case. Which makes it great for taking pictures! Then as soon as the water or retardant drops you go to work.