Training Log Archive: Bash

Took a couple of long walks through the fire-blackened countryside today. Firefighters remained on the scene overnight until around noon today, keeping an eye out for places where flames would suddenly arise from tree roots or peat. I was doing the same thing on my walks, and I'm getting pretty good at snuffing out embers. I've heard that 500 acres burned, but it looks a lot closer to 100 acres to me. Regardless, it sure looked scary in the helicopter footage on Global TV news. There was another TV news station around here today, and I was interviewed for tomorrow's Caledon Enterprise. (Hope they leave out the part where I mentioned our fire-starting neighbour!) They're also going to publish a few of my close-up fire photos.

One firefighter mentioned that the people responsible for starting the fire must pay the firefighting costs - $385 per truck per hour. At the height of the fire, there were close to 30 trucks, and there were still several involved as of this morning. Do the math! ($11,550/hr)

The air stinks, and my lungs feel filthy. I've been fighting a headache all day. Every once in awhile, I see smoke wafting through our yard, and I race out to make sure that nothing new is happening. In spite of that, all of us are just very lucky to be OK and not to have lost our homes. This fire has been another reminder of what fantastic, resourceful neighbours we (mostly) have.

It's raining now. Absolutely beautiful weather!!! :-)