Updates:
As earlier reported, this morning started out a little rough with the 4am run up towards the Derns, but our situation in Foss Valley has improved DRAMATICALLY due primarily to the air support we got today. We had anywhere from 6-8 helicopters working simultaneously in Foss Valley for nearly 7 hours straight and it was incredible. As of this email, no other structures in Foss Valley have been lost!!
According to Bert and Ernie, the helicopters literally just showed up; the crews up here had no idea how or why they arrived (a recent Gallo purchase perhaps??), but we all didnt care and were just ecstatic to see them arrive; I have had a smile on my face all afternoon/evening. I have never served in the armed forces, but I can imagine the feelings I had today were akin to a weary soldier on the front lines of a losing battle whose spirits and fortunes are suddenly lifted by the appearance and effectiveness of heavy air power; and I mean HEAVY air power. I took a video at one point and in the span of 2 minutes, there are six different helicopters that cross the screen from the same vantage point. The bulk of their efforts went to the Hockers (nickname "Bill's Place"), Mike Russ' house (nickname the "Mayor of Soda Canyon" / the "Mayor's Mansion"), Richie MacCabe's (nickname the "Tunnel"), and the Derns.
As a result of the air support, Nikko (official nickname the "Geek"), Glenn (official nickname "Evil Knievel"), and I (still no official nickname) decided it was time to cook a warm meal for our fireman troops - some of whom have been on shift for FOUR DAYS STRAIGHT without a full night's sleep or warm meal. So, with the food from our house that would otherwise have spoiled, we coordinated with Bert and Ernie to feed their overnight crew of 30 guys in 3 shifts. We put on quite the spread at Evil Knievel's house: Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes from our garden, pork loins, venison, wild pheasant, mushroom raviolis and baked beans. It was so nice to put football on the TV for these guys and see them actually relax a little bit. It was also great to get to know them a little bit better. This was definitely a highlight for all of us during a tough week.
Another highlight was when I was running around gathering the crew for dinner, I found Bert and Ernie and other crew chiefs hanging out on the Dern's overlook shooting the breeze at sunset. Seeing them so relaxed instantly put me at ease and told me that things are looking up for all of us. I also know that Kris Dern would have loved to see these guys enjoying a moment of peace on his property after they have been working so hard to save it.
Overall, everyone can rest easy tonight. There is an engine stationed overnight at every potentially threatened home (Hocker/Russ/MacCabe/Dern/Perri). And while we are not out of the woods yet with the high winds predicted over the next day or so, things are certainly looking better.
Sleep well everyone and keep those good thoughts and prayers coming this way!!
Fire Crew at hanging out at the Derns (Bert is at the head facing the camera and Ernie is to his left, camera right with the cap on.)
Drop at Bills Point
As earlier reported, this morning started out a little rough with the 4am run up towards the Derns, but our situation in Foss Valley has improved DRAMATICALLY due primarily to the air support we got today. We had anywhere from 6-8 helicopters working simultaneously in Foss Valley for nearly 7 hours straight and it was incredible. As of this email, no other structures in Foss Valley have been lost!!
According to Bert and Ernie, the helicopters literally just showed up; the crews up here had no idea how or why they arrived (a recent Gallo purchase perhaps??), but we all didnt care and were just ecstatic to see them arrive; I have had a smile on my face all afternoon/evening. I have never served in the armed forces, but I can imagine the feelings I had today were akin to a weary soldier on the front lines of a losing battle whose spirits and fortunes are suddenly lifted by the appearance and effectiveness of heavy air power; and I mean HEAVY air power. I took a video at one point and in the span of 2 minutes, there are six different helicopters that cross the screen from the same vantage point. The bulk of their efforts went to the Hockers (nickname "Bill's Place"), Mike Russ' house (nickname the "Mayor of Soda Canyon" / the "Mayor's Mansion"), Richie MacCabe's (nickname the "Tunnel"), and the Derns.
As a result of the air support, Nikko (official nickname the "Geek"), Glenn (official nickname "Evil Knievel"), and I (still no official nickname) decided it was time to cook a warm meal for our fireman troops - some of whom have been on shift for FOUR DAYS STRAIGHT without a full night's sleep or warm meal. So, with the food from our house that would otherwise have spoiled, we coordinated with Bert and Ernie to feed their overnight crew of 30 guys in 3 shifts. We put on quite the spread at Evil Knievel's house: Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes from our garden, pork loins, venison, wild pheasant, mushroom raviolis and baked beans. It was so nice to put football on the TV for these guys and see them actually relax a little bit. It was also great to get to know them a little bit better. This was definitely a highlight for all of us during a tough week.
Another highlight was when I was running around gathering the crew for dinner, I found Bert and Ernie and other crew chiefs hanging out on the Dern's overlook shooting the breeze at sunset. Seeing them so relaxed instantly put me at ease and told me that things are looking up for all of us. I also know that Kris Dern would have loved to see these guys enjoying a moment of peace on his property after they have been working so hard to save it.
Overall, everyone can rest easy tonight. There is an engine stationed overnight at every potentially threatened home (Hocker/Russ/MacCabe/Dern/Perri). And while we are not out of the woods yet with the high winds predicted over the next day or so, things are certainly looking better.
Sleep well everyone and keep those good thoughts and prayers coming this way!!
Fire Crew at hanging out at the Derns (Bert is at the head facing the camera and Ernie is to his left, camera right with the cap on.)
Drop at Bills Point
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