Today, I'm continuing with my theme of burning. In my last post, The Phoenix Process, I talked about how I feel like I'm still in the process of burning. Here, you can see, I'm not afraid of a little fire.This is one of my favorite photos of myself at work. We were doing a prescribed burn to improve the native ecosystem. What am I doing here? I'm watching the flames. I'm not just doing this because I am a pyromaniac or I am obsessed with fire, though I do enjoy lighting up. I don't smoke, but after working on a prescribed fire or wildfire, I do feel like I've smoked a couple of packs of cigarettes. What I mean is that I like to ignite prescribed fires. I gave up working on fires when I was trying to get pregnant. I figured that sucking in all that smoke wasn't healthy. By then, I was also over the novelty of working with fire.
In this photo, I am watching how the fire burns the plants so I can understand later how the plants regrow. Then, I will know for next time what kind of fire is best to get the kind of response we want. Yes, there are different kinds of fire and different ways to burn. Hmmm, I wonder if there is some kind of analogy here to The Phoenix Process? I'm sure there is.
16 comments:
cool photo. and exciting job.
I always think how amazing it is to see new life emerge from the charred earth. I was just reading about the controlled burns near big sur to save the little town and all it's landmarks. hope it's working.
I love Big Sur! I hope there is something left of it when I visit in August. Well, at least Redwoods love fire. Yes, it is amazing to see the vigor of life after all has been annihilated.
What a great photo. I know that people do those jobs, but its cool to actually "meet one" and hear about it first hand, very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Well ya learn somethin' new every day!
Great job!
Great photo. Exciting and dangerous job all in one. Thanks for sharing your experience!
that sounds fascinating! During my recent trip to Australia, I discovered that there are some plants that do particularly well after a fire - why that should be I just don't know as we all think of fire as a destructive force!
Great photo, I can totally see why it's your favorite of you at work!!
We're waiting for our fires to start up here- but I loved to go hiking after last years insanely horrid ones-- it's absolutely amazing to see the new growth- nothing like it. I try to remind myself that it's the same for me- can be taken to the worst of worst, and yet come thru having learned something and stronger.
My S&T
I love how this technique of long ago is still relevant. And you look so cute and cool out there!
Wow, what a great photo and cool job. Thanks so much for sharing.
Your job sounds fascinating!
I'm sorry to hear about your loss (reading previous posts). Sending lots of hugs your way.
What a picture, It was really cool to visit Yellow stone after it burned in the late 80's to see all of the new growth. Kim
I love the picture! My dh was a FF in a big city for 10 yrs - he too has a thing for lighting up "planned" fires. He also takes over the campfire whenever we go ... yeah, that can be scary. ~LOL~
Great photo and interesting story. And I like the connection with the phoenix imagery - it's easy to forget that fire can be purifying and regenerative instead of simply destructive.
That is such an awesome photo! In my past life, I worked in a couple national parks (as a volunteer in interp) and always was in awe of the fire crew -- especially the cool fire gals.
Funny -- now in my office, a common cheesy corporate thing people say is "I gotta go put out some fires" when stuff gets all crazy. If only people had a clue what it's like to work with actual fire!
Beautiful scenery and great photo!
Is that for real? I had no idea people did that! I love the outfit ;-)
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