Resurrecting Home

by A. American

  Ted shook his head. “See you guys later, we gotta get moving.” We waved as he pulled away and headed into the camp. Once again, the place was buzzing with activity. All manner of stuff was being sorted and stacked. Pulling up to the CP, we jumped out and went in to find Sarge, Livingston, and Sheffield in the conference room. I rapped on the door frame. “Can we come in?”

  “Sure, Morgan, come in, take a seat,” Sarge replied. “You fellas look like you have something on your minds.”

  “We do, we need some help,” Thad said.

  “What do you need?” Sheffield asked.

  “We need some of your people to join forces with us to help with the fire,” I said.

  Sheffield’s head cocked to the side. “You’ve got a plan to stop it?”

  “We’ve got an idea of a way to try and redirect it. There’s no way we can put it out, but maybe we can push it from spreading south into more communities.”

  “What are you thinking?” Sarge asked.

  “I was thinking of a back burn, to try and keep it from continuing south.”

  Sarge nodded. “That’s one way, for sure. Where were you thinking of setting it?”

  I walked up to a wall that had a large map of the area. “I was thinking of starting it on the north side of this gas line right-of-way here. Originally I was thinking of doing it here on 485, but I think this would work better,” I said, putting my finger on the map.

  Sarge got up and came over, looking at the line, which cut straight as an arrow across the map.

  Sarge returned to his seat. “We’re hoping the fire will stop at Highway 40. It might jump it, but we’re hoping it won’t.”

  “We should find out today,” Livingston added.

  That got our attention. “It’s already down to 40?” Danny asked.

  “It’ll probably be there today.”

  “Damn,” Thad said.

  “How much longer until you guys are out of here?” I asked.

  “We should make our last trip today, late this afternoon hopefully,” Sheffield said.

  “What about the civilians here?” Danny asked.

  “The ones left are hell-bent on staying, won’t listen to reason,” Sarge said.

  “This place will go up like gasoline,” Thad said.

  “We’ve told them, we’ve tried to convince them to leave,” Livingston said.

  “I addressed the camp yesterday, told them about the fire. Some people decided it wasn’t worth the risk, but many of them think that because this place is surrounded by sand the fire can’t get here. They think they’ll be safe, so they’re going to stick it out,” Sheffield said.

  “They don’t seem to understand that the fire’s going to come from the sky. Enough embers fall on those tents and this place is going up,” Sarge added.

  I shook my head. “Some people will never learn. But back to the question: Will you guys help us?” I asked.

  Sheffield studied the map for a moment. “How about this,” he said, pointing to a forestry road just north of the camp. “Let’s start one here, on the north side of this road. It’ll offer the folks here some protection if it works. If it doesn’t work, we can use the same strategy on the line you indicated, to try and push it around your place.”

  “That makes sense. We can work on it up here and see how it reacts,” Danny said.

  “How are we going to light this thing?” Sheffield asked, then looked at Livingston. “We got enough fuel to do this?”

  “We’ve got a bunch of drip torches and some fuel. It’s a mixture of diesel and gas,” I said.

  “Where’d you get those?” Livingston asked.

  “We found them,” Thad said with a smile.

  Sarge smiled broadly. “I bet you did.”

  “When do you want to do this?” Livingston asked.

  “We should do it before it hits 40. If it was to jump, the two could just merge into one, adding even more fuel to the bigger fire,” Sarge said.

  “True. All right, we need to get organized for this. Sarge, you take command. How many people do you think you’ll need?” Sheffield asked.

  “Right now not too many. Mikey has experience with this sort of thing, so I need him. Jamie too—she’s a firefighter as well. With Morgan’s people and a few others we can probably handle this for now. If it was to jump the road up there, it’ll be a different story, though,” Sarge replied.

  Sheffield nodded. “All right, take who you need.” He looked at Livingston. “You keep track of what’s going on with this, who’s on the detail, and rounding up anything they need.”

  Livingston nodded. “Roger that. Mike is out on the convoy to the armory, and when he gets back we’ll pull him.” He looked at Sarge. “Why don’t you guys go see where it is? Let’s get some intel on what we’re dealing with, in the meantime I’ll put together a unit for you. When you get back we can go over the plan.”

  “We’re going to try to get the last of this mess organized. I want to finish the move today, especially if this fire is encroaching,” Sheffield said. “And I’m going to tell the civilians one more time that we recommend them moving. There’s no way that anyone should try and wait this out.”

  “Roger that. And get those other boys ready. We’re going to need to move on this as quickly as possible.”

  With that, we piled in my truck and headed north, crossing Highway 40. The smoke was now over us, being blown by upper atmosphere winds. As we got closer to the fire, the surface winds began to pick up. It was creating its own winds in order to feed itself. Before we got to Juniper Run we could see the flames leaping a hundred feet into the air. Stopping in the road, we got out and stared in awe at the spectacle before us.

  Sarge craned his neck to look up at the flames. After a moment, he said, “You know, maybe we should just start the back fire back there at the highway. The road and easements on either side might offer some buffer.”

  “It might be better to try it way up here instead, since we’re at least a mile north of 40. If it doesn’t work it’ll give us more time for a second try,” Thad said.

  “If we’re going to do that, we need to do it damn quick. That thing will be down there in a couple of hours probably,” Danny said.

  “That’s why I think we should start it down at the highway. We just don’t have the time to get set up here”—Sarge pointed into the woods—“not to mention how hard it’s going to be to try and do it in that mess. If we do it down at 40, we can just walk down the side of the road to set it.”

  I nodded. “That’s a good point. If we went out there into the forest, we could find ourselves on the wrong side of a fire in a hurry with no way out.”

  “Let’s get moving, then,” Sarge said.

  On the way back to the camp, we discussed the plan. We’d go back and get the drip torches and fuel while Sarge would meet with Livingston and lay out our plan. We’d ride the ATVs back and use them, riding along the side of the road with the torches dripping to start the fire. We’d start it on both sides of Highway 19, using the grassy easements to encourage it to burn to the north.

  After dropping Sarge off, we hurried back to the neighborhood, only waving at the crew at the barricade as we passed. At Danny’s, we got out and started to load the torches and their fuel, along with some of the other firefighting essentials. We had an assortment of tools that we thought would come in handy. Once we had everything loaded up, we went into Danny’s for a fast bite to eat. All the ladies and kids were out back, the kids playing in the backyard. We quickly explained the situation, and I could see the fear in their eyes, though I tried to keep my tone as light as possible. I didn’t want to scare the kids. We scarfed down some food—I didn’t know when the next time we’d be eating would be—and then we were on our way again.

  At the camp, Sarge was waiting at the turn-off with a couple of Hummers and some Guardsmen. As we approached, they pulled out into the road and led the way. We stopped in the middle of the intersection of Highways 40 and 19 to discuss th
e plan.

  “I’ve never done this before, you know. I wish my dad were here. He’s done a bunch of these for the state,” I said to Danny as we walked up to the group.

  Danny stopped and looked at me square in the eyes. “You got your daddy’s spirit. We’re gonna do this thing.”

  We walked over and joined the group. Sarge was looking north toward the towering thunderhead of smoke. Pointing, he looked back at those of us assembled. “Gentlemen”—he glanced at Jamie and smiled—“and you, Jamie: there is no way in hell we’re going to stop that, but we may just be able to part it, as it were.”

  “He’s right, there is no way we can stop this—we simply don’t have the resources—but what we’re going to attempt is to create a burned wedge of ground and allow the fire to burn around either side of it. Hopefully it will bypass us.” Mike looked at me. “Morgan, can you get the torches and other gear?”

  I nodded and Thad, Jeff, and Danny followed me to the truck. We quickly loaded the gear and with the help of a couple of the Guardsmen carried it all over to the group. Mike picked up one of the torches and started talking.

  “Starting the fire is easy, keeping it where we want it is another issue entirely.” He motioned skyward. “This wind is going to make this very difficult. To start the fire, we’ll ride down the side of the road on the two four-wheelers and drip the flame. Everyone else will be on the far side of the road.” He reached into his pocket and produced a handful of OD green whistles on cords. “If anyone sees a spot fire start on the opposite side, blow your whistle. When you hear a whistle, everyone needs to get there and get that fire under control, then quickly get back to your position to watch for more. Understand this, there will be fires, they are going to start, and if we can’t control them we’ll be overrun by them. So we have to be on top of it as soon as possible. Everyone understand?” He was answered with solemn nods from all of us.

  “Morgan, you and Danny get on them ATVs and get this thing going while we get everyone else positioned,” Sarge said.

  “I’ll go east,” I said to Danny. He nodded, grabbed a torch, climbed on his Polaris, and sped off to the west.

  Riding slowly at the edge of the woods, the flame from the torch dribbled out onto the dry grass and palmettos. A quick glance backward revealed that the small flames were quickly growing. The small spots of fire were merging into a wall of flame as it burned into the woods. Far down the road to the west I could see the smoke starting to build from the fire Danny was starting. The smoke from our combined fires began rising into the sky, creating another layer of smoke, dwarfed by the much larger head of smoke high above it.

  As I rode I could see Sarge and Mike organizing the rest of the crew. They were being positioned on the side of the road with shovels, axes, beaters, and Pulaskis. Everyone looked on edge. While the fire was growing, it was still manageable, and so far everything was going according to plan, but it could turn at any moment. With everyone in position, Sarge and Mike rode up and down the stretch of highway keeping a close eye on the fire.

  Danny and I met at the intersection where the Suburban was parked. We traded the torches for a couple of shovels, just to be ready for any spot fires that may pop up. Sarge rolled up beside us. “So far, so good,” he said.

  “Looks that way. Hope it lasts,” Danny replied.

  “We’re just getting started. As things build, it’s going to get busy,” Mike said.

  As we were talking the first whistle sounded. Looking to the east I saw some of the Guardsmen running. “Looks like we just got busy,” I said as I started the ATV and pulled away with Danny and Sarge following.

  We all got to work putting out the fire with shovels and other tools. It wasn’t a big fire and was quickly brought under control. “That wasn’t so bad,” Thad said as he wiped sweat from his forehead.

  “Not bad. Good job, guys. Everyone back to their positions—this ain’t over yet,” Mike said.

  “Sure thing, Captain Bring Down,” Thad said with a smile as he started walking back down the road.

  “Come on, let’s get back down the road,” I said with a smile.

  Before we could get back on the machines, another whistle sounded, back toward the intersection this time. Just as with the previous one, several Guardsmen were making their way toward the fire. Danny and I skidded to a stop and hopped off. This fire was larger than the last, and spreading even more quickly. We were tackling it just like the first one, but it wasn’t working out nearly as well.

  Danny was beating the ground with a rake and looked up. “This is going to be a long day.”

  “No shit,” I replied as I tied a bandanna around my face.

  He looked at me. “Damn, that’s a good idea.”

  Reaching into my pocket, I tossed one to him. “It is.”

  Mike waded into the mass of flailing shovels, axes, and beaters and started giving orders. “Morgan, Jeff, you guys get on this side, start raking the ground litter back. We need to create a break here.” He pointed to two Guardsmen. “Get on the left side and start pulling the downed wood out. Pull it away before it catches.”

  We worked frantically, as hot ash and soot were falling all over us. Thad appeared with a rake, helping me and Danny as we worked on the break on the far side. Mike had a Pulaski and was hacking down some brush. “I hope it doesn’t get any worse!” I shouted, throwing a shovelful of dirt into the fire.

  “Shit, this ain’t even bad yet,” Mike called back.

  Over the clanking of shovels and rakes, another whistle sounded, then another. Sarge was standing by the road and shouted to Mike he would go check on it, to stay with this one. He quickly returned to the Hummer and headed back east.

  It took another several minutes for us to get the fire under control. It was hot, miserable work and we were just getting started.

  “Come on, guys, let’s get down there,” Mike said as he came out onto the road. Danny and I got on the ATVs. Thad climbed on with me and Mike with Danny.

  “No, I’m good, guys. I can walk,” Jeff said with a wave.

  “Looks that way,” I replied with a smile.

  We quickly made it to Sarge, and he waved Danny on. “You two go check the other one, I think we can handle this.” Danny nodded and continued on down the road as Thad and I waded into the woods again.

  It was more shoveling, raking, and beating to get this fire under control, then we heard another whistle and another and another. I looked at Sarge. “This is getting out of hand.”

  “Thanks for the stunning report, Captain Obvious,” Sarge snapped back as he walked back out toward the road.

  Sarge got in the Hummer and rode slowly down the road, checking all the locations where new fires were now being fought. There were a total of four spot fires now being fought. Sarge shook his head. Shit, he thought. Arriving at the fire where Mike and Danny were working with one Guardsman, he got out and waded into the smoke.

  “Mikey, this shit’s getting out of hand!” Sarge shouted.

  Mike turned around and looked down the road, wiping ash and soot from his face with a dirty hand. “I know. We need more people. We can’t do this with what we have.”

  Sarge nodded. “Get this under control. I’ll round up some more help.”

  Sarge went out to the Hummer and grabbed the radio mic. “White Four Delta, White Four Delta.”

  “Go for White Four Delta.”

  “We’re in a situation down here. We need more manpower. Things are getting out of hand.”

  “Roger that, Stump Knocker. I’ll get some people headed your way.”

  “Roger that, you might want to impress upon those thinking of staying there that they should leave. And send some water out too, we could use it,” Sarge replied.

  “Will do. White Four Delta out.”

  Sarge was standing in the road when we pulled up. “What’s the word?” I asked.

  “Shit’s starting to get deep. Just called in reinforcements.”

  I looked at the fire that
Mike and the guys were fighting. “I think we’re going to need them.”

  “I just hope it’s enough,” Thad added.

  “Me too,” Sarge replied.

  We fell in with a group of Guardsmen fighting another spot fire. The drill was always the same: try to pull fuel away from the downwind side of the fire, scraping the ground clean while cutting any trees or other standing brush that would allow the fire to climb higher. When the fire that the Guardsmen were fighting was sufficiently corralled, Thad and I walked out onto the road.

  “This is starting to look dicey,” Thad said.

  Rubbing soot and dirt from my face, I said, “I don’t know how much more of it I can take. I’m burned up.”

  “Yeah, this is some hot damn work,” Thad agreed.

  As we were talking a couple of large trucks pulled into view at the intersection. Sarge pointed at them. “Looks like the cavalry is here. Hop in, let’s ride down there.”

  Livingston was at the intersection, looking the road up and down at the fires now raging on both sides. As Sarge pulled the Hummer to a stop, he came up to the window. “Jesus, Linus, this isn’t good. This looks bad, real bad.”

  “That’s why I called.”

  “Where do you want them?”

  “Send one east and one west. They can get on the line anyplace it’s burning. Start getting them out—I’m going to go find Mike,” Sarge said as he pulled away.

  Driving down the road, Thad spotted Jamie with two Guardsmen trying to get a line around one of the larger spot fires. “Let us out here, we’ll go help Jamie,” Thad said.

  Sarge stopped the Hummer and we jumped out, dragging our shovels with us. Sarge drove off and we headed for Jamie.

  “Need some help?” Thad asked when we got to her.

  Jamie stopped and wiped her forehead with the back of her gloved hand. “Sure, but I don’t know how much help you’re gonna be. I think we’re in the middle of a losing battle.”

  “Sarge called in reinforcements. They just got here,” I said as I started beating on the flames with a shovel.

  The heat was getting intense, the smoke, ash, and soot choking us as we flailed against the flames. All of our faces were black with grime, muddy rivulets of sweat running down our faces.