Mountains on Fire

As of today September 17th, 2014 the King Fire is at 18,000 plus acres.  This fire is located on the Eldorado National Forest.  This fire is situated in the lower elevations, of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I knew this fire was inevitable.  I know fire is an integral and very important part of an ecosystem.   At this point, structures have been saved, no lives lost.

But...my heart aches to see pictures and know that my mountains are on fire.  This area, the place of my birth, the place of my ancestors - those coming for a sense of adventure and to find that ever elusive "Gold".  For me there is a bond deep in my soul for this place.  No matter where I live, it will always be home to me.


 This is the place where I "cut my teeth" as a young forestry student doing summer work.  I have many fond memories of hiking those hills day after day.  Helping to reforest after the Cleveland Burn ('92), marking trees for removal within thinning projects, laying out areas for prescribed burns, dripping fire onto the ground myself, staring at rock scarred by wagons from many days gone by, breathing in the pungent smell of Bear Clover (a smell I love), listening to the American River, standing at the end of a long ridge staring out into the deep, densely forested canyons of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills.

 I know these forest will return some day. Those portions that don't burn "too hot" will be better/healthier for what is happening.  These pine forests need fire.   But today it hurts.

Borrowed from www.news10.net

Borrowed from www.fox40.com