Update on the fire

 

Update on the fire.

The fire is now almost extinguished but it is completely contained.  It has taken over a thousand men and women at one time working on it, cost over 3.5 million dollars, burned about 23, 500 acres or 36 square miles between Cle Elum and us. It completely destroyed countless homes and other structures, there has 1 account of minor burns, and 1 account of dehydration, but no one died.  In that regard it has been a miracle.

Not making light of the fire at all, but it was rather interesting and intriguing to be around.  Not saying I enjoy the destruction and everything that has come with it by any means.  I'm talking about the whole experience.  It was scary, frightening at times to see the glow and eerie smoke.  But there were the other things that we don't usually get to see and be apart of. 

Aaron is an aircraft fanatic, and honestly his love for the planes, helicopters and military paid off and we were all able to experience more than some. 

-It started with just him taking pictures and was then allowed onto the runway. 

-The next time the kids were allowed onto the Chinook and other aircraft. 

-Then Aaron was able to go up closer to where they were fighting the fires and watch the helicopters fill their buckets, which then in turn allowed us closer too. It was really neat watching them work. For those wondering, no, we were never in danger.  We wouldn't put ourselves or our children in danger.  Also, it wasn't smokey on the side we were on. 

-Aaron was asked to take pictures for the military guys who in turn showed the pictures to the Govenor Christine Gregoire. Crazy!  If only he got paid for that right!?

-He was able to go around town and get paint and supplies to help paint the helicopters with orange sections so they could be seen better.

He made several friends and his pictures became quite popular with the guys.

Just a little comparison how the Orange areas made it a bit easier to see the helicopters while they were in the smoke and woody areas.

It was fun being allowed to be so close to the helicopters as they filled their buckets.  There was this one, a DNR, and another one from King County that were all taking turns using this lake.  There was always someone filling up.  As soon as one left another was there. 

 

 

Of course we were glad when the ground crews didn't need the extra help anymore and they got sent home, but it was kinda sad to see them go.  We got a lot of cool shows that we don't usually get.

 

Another post coming IF blogger decides to work for me.