LOOKS LIKE THE BOYS AND GIRLS HAD FUN...

Inklings and I took our annual leaf ride today and I couldn't help myself. I just had to see how the last fuels project that was planned while I was the District Ranger was turning out. Seems that all of my efforts in training them is being well rewarded. Here are three pictures of their recent work.

They are also in the process of fencing these areas with wildlife proof fences in order for the aspen to have a chance to regenerate. These treatments are in the most heavily used elk habitat on the district. If these are successful then they will be able to go forward on the rest of the district without near as many regeneration problems. I told the environmental groups that we worked with on this project that I didn't choose it because it was easy but because it was the most in need. After looking it over with us they agreed and the project has moved forward nicely.

It is always good to see a well coordinated project move forward---TO THE CREW--GREAT JOB!!!!!

LEAF RIDE 2011

We went on a leaf drive today. Took longer than we expected but it was a great day. Ate at two of my favorite restaurants so that we could keep goin'. Here is a sampling of what we saw---beautiful day. The pictures are posted exactly opposite of the way we took them.

SHADOW LAKE

I just returned from the Shadow Lake fire in Oregon. Our base camp was at Hoodoo Ski Resort. When I first arrived the fire was 450+ acres and burning pretty hot and spotting all over the place. Which is what you would expect in this type of timber. When I left it was 10,000 acres+ and was secured along most of the perimeter. The weather changed significantly and the fog rolled in from the ocean and raised the humidity to 100% for a couple of days. I had forgotten how miserable that is to be wet all over from the atmosphere and not be able to get dry unless you went inside a building.

The fire burned the south side of Mount Washington as well as burning through a boys camp and many structures. The firefighters did great. They brought the fire through the structures and didn't lose a single one. There were over 40 pumps and 220 miles of hose and over 200 sprinkler kits out on the fire. It was amazing for me to see where they took the fire through and those structures won't have to worry about fire for at least 10 years.

It was a tough fire for me because of all the supplies that went out and came back. I worked harder than usual to stay in front of the fire fire fighters with the supplies they needed. I also came home really tired.

I'M NOT HALF THE MAN I USED TO BE.