Property not looking good to avoid wildfire

[Hatchdog]

Our property up north where we hang out and hunt grouse is not looking very good for avoiding the wildfire up there. Yesterday I estimated it was 5 miles from us and we were in a level 1 (least severe) evacuation. Unfortunately by dinner time yesterday we moved to a level 3 (go now) evacuation and now the fire line is about 3000 feet from us and burning right in our direction. Last night the Incident Team had a meeting with the local folks that I was able to watch online this morning. The commander said that the fire got real active yesterday afternoon right in our area. They had to pull their crews back for safety. I had hoped that once the fire got to the heavily logged off area behind us the firefighters would be able to control it. From looking at the map it looks like the fire has crossed that area. The commander said that yesterday due to very limited visibility the fire boss planes were not able to dump water. This is a very mountainous area that fixed wing planes can not fly in without good visibility. They do have a helicopter dumping water that can operate with the limited visibility. Too much smoke causing the visibility problem.

I thought about driving up there yesterday and get some equipment out of the shop but decided to wait until this morning. Bad decision as the road is now closed. I have a riding mower and my brush hog up there plus my shooting bench and target stand. Plus a brand new never used garden cart I planned to use to haul my shooting stuff up the hill to the range. Oops!

Here’s the current map of the fire line and the distance to our place. We’re trying to stay hopeful but it’s not looking good. Feel really bad for the folks who actually live around the place, they have much more to lose than us.

Map from yesterday morning:

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Map from this morning:

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[cooperhawk]

WOW! Not good. We live in the deep woods and fire scares me too.

[CT_Shooter]

I'm hoping the best for you and yours, Hatch. That's getting scary close. Glad you're monitoring it.

[Mags]

I'm hoping it gets stopped!

[BrokenolMarine]

I wish you the best. On leave in Murphy NC as a young Marine, I was involved in fighting two forest fires with my Grandfather's Volunteer Fire Department. They were augmenting the Forest Service Professionals, mainly cutting fire breaks ahead of the fire or setting controlled burns to starve forward movement.

I was young, in excellent condition, and working in the heat and smoke was brutal. I spent a total of three days, the pros were in the woods over a week. One fire was started by an illegal camp fire, the other by a cigarette tossed out a car window.

I hope your property is spared, and no lives are lost in the efforts.

[Ernie]

Hope for the best.

[The Wiz]

Hoping for the best.

[Rifletom]

Man, that's tough to see/hear. Good luck to you Hatch. Damn.

[Hatchdog]

For now thankfully the winds (very light) have shifted blowing away from our place. Yesterday the winds were blowing directly from the fire to our place. We are cautiously optimistic right now. The guy who lives across the road evacuated last night and at my request unlocked and opened my gate. This will allow firefighters access if needed. Fingers crossed…

We’ve been listening to the sheriff scanner from up there and they are going from home to home knocking on doors making sure people are evacuating.

[daytime dave]

It sounds like all that can be done has been. Good luck to you and your neighbors. Remember to thank those firemen, whatever happens.

[Sir Henry]

Best of luck and I pray nothing happens to yours.

[BigAl52]

Another best of luck Hatch. I hope you are spared

[Hatchdog]

Good news for now. In the last 24 hours the fire grew from 11,475 acres to 12,365. The growth was primarily on the southern and western sides of the fire. Our place is on the eastern side about halfway from north to south. The new fire lines near our place didn’t change. The wind was blowing in a positive (for us but not others) direction and continues to do so today. Fingers still crossed.

Thank you all for the positive thoughts.

[The Wiz]

On the subject of thanking the firemen/women, I had a college roommate who was a smoke jumper in the summer between school years. He made over 40 jumps. Paid for his college. Was 5 ft /8,145 lbs. Tough SOB but could not play poker worth a damn.
After he graduated, was drafted and wanted to get his wings with out going through jump school. No dice. He told me later he had more jumps than any of the Black Hats except the senior Instructor. Got to love the Army.

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I hope the wind you get is a good wind

[GFK]

Sorry about that. May God be with you.

[fortyshooter]

Hope for the best Hatch and looks like you may have been spared any damage!

[Hatchdog]

I watched a recording of last night’s update meeting held in a town near the fire. I’m amazed how much information and how awesome the crews are. It’s pretty amazing the process used to fight the fire. One 20 person hand crew and two fire engines got trapped behind the fire line two days ago when it was moving so fast towards our place. They gathered in a meadow which was a pre-planned location should this happen. All are fine with no damage or injuries.

Thankfully the fire didn’t get any closer to our place the last two days. It did gain ground in the southwest area which is away from us. So far eight homes have been lost with no count on other outbuildings lost. This is a very remote area with homes that are off the grid but occupied full time. I’m guessing the homes lost will fit into this category. Homes along the road have much better access for fire engines.

There are three fires burning in the area with over 800 personal and over 100 pieces of equipment working on them.

[Hatchdog]

On the subject of thanking the firemen/women, I had a college roommate who was a smoke jumper in the summer between school years. He made over 40 jumps. Paid for his college. Was 5 ft /8,145 lbs. Tough SOB but could not play poker worth a damn.
After he graduated, was drafted and wanted to get his wings with out going through jump school. No dice. He told me later he had more jumps than any of the Black Hats except the senior Instructor. Got to love the Army.

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I hope the wind you get is a good wind

Hijack away, I enjoyed your story and a tip of the cap to your former roommate.

[Hatchdog]

No update this morning yet but as of last night there was no movement in the fire behind our place. Here’s a couple of pics taken by the guy across the road. This is looking from his place to ours with the flames behind our place. This was earlier in the week when the fire was moving fast towards us and him.

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[cooperhawk]

Yikes! That would scare me.