Psithurism

Ever since I read that word in another blog it has stuck with me. I never knew that the word existed, and I still do not know how to pronounce it. I had to go to The YouTube to listen how to pronounce it.....Seeth U Rizum. But, what does it mean? In its most basic definition, it means the sound of the wind through the trees. One of my most favorite sounds. 

 Nothing relaxes me more than the peaceful sound as the wind creates a gentle rustling through the pines or a grove of aspens. A sound we hear often as we sit in the hot tub at the end of a busy day. Man, how I miss those moments when we are on the road. 

It can also be one of the most terrifying sounds as any of you who have experienced a tornado or hurricane know all too well. This week we had a mix of both as Thursday brought another windstorm with gusts over 70mph, and a couple up to 90! This of course toppled trees, some of which fell on powerlines which started fires throughout the area. 

One fire went from 120 acres to over 5,000 in a couple hours as the wind pushed the fire through the forest. Fortunately, none were within miles of us. Unfortunately, this big fire was near Dan and Bonnie's house, and they had to evacuate for a few hours. The firefighters did not even attempt to fight the fires at night with those high winds, and several houses were swallowed up immediately. By the morning the fire had reached 7,000 acres and was a mile from Dan and Bonnie's. I was over there helping him hook up some heating units as we watched the smoke on the other side of a large hill. We could not see the actual fire, but we could tell it was getting closer. 

A bulldozer showed up around noon and cut a perimeter about 150 yards from their house. Hopefully that would stop the fire should it crest the hill. They pull trucks and personnel from the surrounding communities as there are not enough resources locally to a fight a fire of this size. Even with these additional personnel they can only fight the edges and their main priorities are trying to save homes, so they try and direct the fire and place personnel around the houses. 

About 2:00 the fire crested over the hill behind their house and started coming down. Now it was time to panic. They gathered what valuables they could and a few days' worth of cloths and put them in the car. We then helplessly watched the fire creep towards their house. 

There is really nothing you can do. We hosed down the house with water, probably didn't help but it kept us busy. 

Finally, a half a dozen trucks showed up. The smoke was so bad we decided to get out of there for a while and went to supper. 

This is what it looked like when we got back.....

They had started a back burn at the road and along that dozer path to keep the raging fire away from their house. Wildland firefighters have to be one of the most underappreciated jobs in the area. They work their asses off in hot, tiring and dangerous situation. While there are some fulltime fire fighters with the Forest Service, most are volunteers. This includes Kevin who spent several days and night driving a Tender Truck bringing water to the front lines. 

We saw fire trucks from not on dozens of areas in South Dakota, we saw trucks from throughout Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. We looks up several of the names and the furthest one we saw was from White Sulfur Springs Montana, over 8 hours away. 

Fire fighters checked on them that night and told them that they had over 20 personnel surrounding their house along that bull dozer line who would be there day and night for several days to make sure their house was safe and the fire did not flare up again and jump that line. 

While their view and landscape has changed, their house is safe. The good part is the back burn is a low fire, only burning the grass and debris on the ground, not the whole tree itself. 

That was definitely enough excitement for this week. The fire is still going, over 7,000 acres, still 0% contained, the firefighters are still out there trying to save homes and other structures, but at least Dan and Bonnie are sleeping in their smoky house ever thankful for hard working men and women out there.