By Michael Scott Hill The 2016-2017 fire season in Australia has been relatively quiet overall with a few periods of increased initial attack activity, like this weekend in mid-February 2017 (see aerial photo). Flying in the rear of a Bell 412 helicopter across New South Wales’ rugged, rolling Blue Mountains with my small RART (Rapid […]
The Unbidden Wildfire
Wicked problems are difficult to define and thus offer no definitive solutions — yet we are obligated to seek the most work-able solutions among better or worse, good enough and not good enough. In this essay we witness the story of a typical fire problem, framed as a wickedly difficult problem to solve.
Confessions of an Inmate Firefighter
Working amid the camaraderie of the fireline, an inmate firefighter finds courage, a potential career focus, and the finest reward of fire work– to be appreciated.
AFTER ACTION: A smokejumper + a smart phone
First there’s a fire, then initial attack …
AFTER ACTION: To burn or not to burn
Too much or too little fuel reduction burning – the debate has raged in Australia for many years. Meanwhile, the fire managers are just getting on with the task.
After Action: When do you become a firefighter?
Season one on an IA crew in southern Oregon.
AFTER ACTION: In Ketchum, Idaho — bike racing through the smoke
Called the “world’s greatest female endurance cyclist,” six-time world champion Rebecca Rusch owns numerous victories in multiple ultra endurance races, including the Leadville Trail 100, Dirty Kanza 200, and holds the record on the 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. Rebecca also works as a part-time firefighter and EMT for the Ketchum Fire Department. by Rebecca Rusch Throughout […]
After Action: Why become a member of IAWF?
It’s Bigger than You By supporting the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) you are supporting the fire community and profession. This helps you but it’s bigger than you or me. It’s about all of us. IAWF trains the profession through the conferences and webinars it organizes and hosts, which provide a venue for cross-pollination […]
Two sides to every fire story
by James Patterson It was the growing season in Florida, May or June, and we were conducting a prescribed burn in one of the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and wiregrass (Aristida stricta) ecosystems on the forests. It was a great burn with all objectives being met: ensuring, public and firefighter safety and maintaining the historic […]
Photo-essay: A strike team of engines…
Over the seasons, Jeff Shelton has brought his camera to the fireline and captured the routine of daily life and work of a Southern California strike team. Shelton is stationed on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest in Silverado Canyon and is working his twenty-fifth season in fire. Having deployments from San Diego to […]
