Jul 8, 2020 - Speedy Exit

I've given you my perspective on the rather speedy ending to my fire assignment but there is more to the story and it might put a different perspective on COVID concerns for some of you. First - Arizona is being hit really hard right now. You've probably seen that on the news but it has a different feel when you know people who are there. Wildfire planning officials began working on procedures for operating during COVID this spring. Initially, there was supposed to be no ride sharing but that is truly impossible because forest fires don't...

Jul 7, 2020 - First day off... sorta.

My demobilization (Demob) was rather abrupt. The fire died down a bit and I thought perhaps I would have a little extra time to get all my paperwork in order so that today, which was scheduled to be my last day, could be short. Then I heard that the forecast was for hot and very windy yesterday and today, so the rest of the team planned to stay until Thursday or Friday before turning the fire over to a smaller, less equipped team. I wasn't excited about extending but had decided I would be a team player and put in the extra days if...

Jul 4, 2020 - Much improved

I had another big surprise this morning but a much better one. The fire was quite a bit cooler meaning a lot of the fuels have burned to completion so ...LESS SMOKE! A number of folks were extra nice to me, I'm thinking because they felt pretty bad about my day yesterday. But maybe they thought I brought in the cleaner air. Haha...goodnight!

Jul 3, 2020 - Atypical Day 10

well. No lack of adrenaline today. I woke at 5:45 and saw I had an email from my newest boss. I say newest because I effectively have 3 bosses. I have a national coordinator who decides which ARA goes to which fire(s) so it is really important to keep him happy. For this job I have an Arizona Smoke Coordinator who I believe would have made an excellent air traffic controller. I say that because when I used to give aptitude tests there was a skill/ personality test we knew fit that job: people who make very intuitive snap judgement calls....

Jul 2, 2020 - Dreaded Day 10

On my first fire assignment the coworker across from me would occasionally look at someone and ask if they were on "Day 10" of their 14 day assignment. There was invariably laughter and confirmation. Finally I had to ask what was funny about Day 10. She said Day 10 is the toughest day because by then sleep deprivation has really set in, adrenaline is long gone, and you're still too far from the end to get excited about going home. So on Day 10 you just have THE LOOK. The zombie look. Every assignment I've had has been true to form, but on...

Jul 1, 2020 - Does anybody really know what time it is?

Simple solution: Silver clock (for $$$) is AZ time where my boss is working. Red clock (fire) NM time where the fire incident command team is located and meetings are broadcast. Black clock is Universal Time which matches model runs and satellite imagery. My watch is still on Eastern Daylight which is saying I should already be asleep. So goodnight!!

Jun 30, 2020 - what spare time?

It's ironic that up until a few days ago I could have actually had spare time. The initial assignment was challenging because I was forecasting for the entire state but now it is challenging for a whole set of other reasons. I like being assigned to a single fire but I have to learn a whole new team of people, set up new distribution lists, attend a different set of meetings which are now in a different time zone, while still closely coordinating with the same supervisor who is still on Arizona time. AND yes we are making great progress at...

Jun 29, 2020 - Glad for my virtuality

I keep looking at my forecast maps and seeing gorgeous places I'd love to visit. I've forecast for the Grand Canyon and Wire Pass am now moving over to a fire that is between Petrified Forest and Canyon de Chelly. Under normal circumstances it would be wonderful to be in fire camp at any of those 3 fires. But things are not normal. I heard from my supervisor today that Arizona has so many fires right now and so many firefighter units either confirmed with COVID or in isolation that they are running out of units to send to fires. Ordinarily...

Jun 28, 2020 - Whirlwind

Things are always changing rapidly in the fire world. Tonight I was advised that my job is changing from being a regional coordinator to working with a single, new fire. It is called the Woods Spring fire and it's on Navajo Tribal Land, not far west of Gallop, NM. I don't feel I'm being demoted...I think the move is because they really need someone who can quickly try to get sensors in and working. I'm excited but don't have time to write more. So...soon. goodnight!

Jun 27, 2020 - Sights from Fire Camp

Part of what is makes these days seem long is that…they are long. On typical assignments I am expected to work 16 hours per day but for virtual, I was told I could work 14 or even fewer as long as I can get my work done. Still, these days seem longer than fire camp days. Today I figured out part of what makes each day seem long is that I am not getting much time away from my desk. In fire camp, there are physical meetings and briefings to attend. Because the camps are big (and sometimes very big) most things I need to do are at least a five...

Jun 26, 2020 - Who needs spare time, anyway?

One thing for sure, there doesn't seem to be much more spare time on a virtual assignment than on a normal one. But on the other hand, some of that is my fault. Let me explain: Things are actually fairly quiet on our fires at the moment, which is shocking. Weather and fuel conditions in AZ are so primed for fire right now that a fire weather watch has been issued for Sunday and Monday, and there are already red flag warnings (highest level of fire weather alert) in adjacent states. So at any moment, our fires could take off again or there...

Jun 24, 2020 - Virtual Jet Lag

I never realized one could get jet lag without leaving home, but let me assure you working virtually in a location three time zones away will do that to you. 7pm Zoom briefings don't sound bad at all until you realize they will start at 10 here. I decided I could attend in my PJ's (there should be SOME perks to virtual assignments after all). Then just before the meeting I realized maybe this would be a Zoom meeting where folks didn't block their video feed...yikes! So I Zoomed right back into my daytime clothes but not to worry; everyone...