Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 5:25 pm
Liz, here.
First I want to second Rick's heartfelt THANKS to all of the wonderful climbers who help us fight the forest fire at Muir. Damage to Muir Valley was extensive, but nothing compared to what it would have been without those wonderful climber volunteers. There was also loss of many personal items and damage to clothing and equipmewnt of the volunteers. Many of them were working with us from late afternoon until past 1 a.m. Sunday morning and back at it again very early Sunday morning as the fire flashed up again.
I also want to second StephyGs clarifying assumption that it was NOT the climbers in the valley who failed to report the fire, but the careless neighbor who set the fire by building an illegal recreational bonfire and leaving it unattended during a burning ban due to extreme fire danger conditions. Even after it was out of control and had already burned several acres of Muir Valley, she did not let us know. A passing climber noticed the smoke and called Rick and me at the other end of the valley.
When we drove through the valley blowing the horn, climbers respond FAST! We were amazed to see the first 50 or so show up within fifteen minutes!
Rick was exhausted, having been up all night when he made his post, but wanted to get out thanks out in a hurry. If you re-read his post, please understand that that he meant to communicate that it was the careless neighbor, and not climbers, who failed to notify us. The climbers were great!
And, by the way, one other thing I want to convey was how effectively the climbers were in working together as effective teams, even though many had not met each other before. Much of their expertise in building fire breaks appeared to have come from their trail building experience. Their effectiveness certainly put the professional fire fighters to shame.
All epics have funny twists. Rick will post some of the hair singeing events that happened during this "event."
Liz
First I want to second Rick's heartfelt THANKS to all of the wonderful climbers who help us fight the forest fire at Muir. Damage to Muir Valley was extensive, but nothing compared to what it would have been without those wonderful climber volunteers. There was also loss of many personal items and damage to clothing and equipmewnt of the volunteers. Many of them were working with us from late afternoon until past 1 a.m. Sunday morning and back at it again very early Sunday morning as the fire flashed up again.
I also want to second StephyGs clarifying assumption that it was NOT the climbers in the valley who failed to report the fire, but the careless neighbor who set the fire by building an illegal recreational bonfire and leaving it unattended during a burning ban due to extreme fire danger conditions. Even after it was out of control and had already burned several acres of Muir Valley, she did not let us know. A passing climber noticed the smoke and called Rick and me at the other end of the valley.
When we drove through the valley blowing the horn, climbers respond FAST! We were amazed to see the first 50 or so show up within fifteen minutes!
Rick was exhausted, having been up all night when he made his post, but wanted to get out thanks out in a hurry. If you re-read his post, please understand that that he meant to communicate that it was the careless neighbor, and not climbers, who failed to notify us. The climbers were great!
And, by the way, one other thing I want to convey was how effectively the climbers were in working together as effective teams, even though many had not met each other before. Much of their expertise in building fire breaks appeared to have come from their trail building experience. Their effectiveness certainly put the professional fire fighters to shame.
All epics have funny twists. Rick will post some of the hair singeing events that happened during this "event."
Liz