Summer of Fire - Linda Jacobs [159]
Clare had planned to grow old with Jay, but along the way, they’d let the distractions of daily life overshadow their belief in each other. Steve and Susan had charted their future in the stars, but their flight had fallen to earth.
They were no different from all the rest . . . those who dared to dream as though they didn’t realize that only this moment is given. Frank, Billy Jakes, all of them, riding a knife-thin edge of present. Only this instant, when the sun shining through a snowstorm stabbed at Clare’s eyes and the cold, cutting wind told her that her tears were real. She blinked to clear the blurred image of a world gone charred black and whirling white.
Letting go her hands, Steve bent and brushed away granules of snow blown into the hollow at the base of a log. “Look,” he said softly.
Together, they knelt to discover a single, pale-green shoot, pushing through the layer of ash.
YELLOWSTONE FIRES
September 26, 8:00 a.m.
Here is a list of the fires and approximate perimeter acreages. To date, over 1.1 million acres in Yellowstone National Park (includes NF portions of Clover-Mist and North Fork Fires) and approximately 1.6 million acres in the Greater Yellowstone Area have been affected by fire. However, only about half of the vegetation has burned within many fire perimeters. Throughout the summer, 52 different fires have been started by lightning. Of those 52, eight are still burning inside the park. Fire fighters are working to control them. Any new fires will be suppressed as quickly as possible.
* * * * *
Clover-Mist Fire: 412,550 acres. Mist Fire started July 9. Clover started July 11. They joined on July 22. Shallow Fire started July 31. Fern Fire started August 5. These two fires joined Clover-Mist August 13. Lovely Fire started July 11 and burned into Clover-Mist on August 21. Estimated 83% contained. The fire crossed the Montana border near Kersey Lake. Growth was about 1,050 acres over the weekend. Acreage reduction is due to remapping. 1120 firefighters, 31 engines, 2 bulldozers, and 9 helicopters.
Fan Fire: 23,325 acres. Started June 25. No change. The fire was contained on 9/2. One crew is completing mop-up.
Hellroaring Fire: 83,888 acres. Started August 15. The fire is 100% contained. Mop-up and rehabilitation work continue.
Huck/Mink Complex: 225,500 acres (includes Mink Creek Fire acreage in Bridger-Teton NF). Started August 20. Caused the evacuation of Flagg Ranch. The fire was 100% contained on 9/15. No estimated date of control. Mop-up and rehabilitation work continues.
North Fork: 400,100 acres. Started July 22 by human. Split from Wolf Lake Fire at Gibbon Falls. This fire is about 50% contained with 100% containment expected by mid-October. Some increase in fire activity is expected due to dry, windy weather. Mop-up and structure protection is continuing at Old Faithful and West Yellowstone. 1339 firefighters, 8 bulldozers, and 4 helicopters.
Snake River Complex: 224,000 acres. Red Fire started July 1. Shoshone Fire started June 23. Joined August 10. Falls Fire started July 12. Red-Shoshone joined the Mink Fire on August 31. Acreage includes Continental-Ridge and Mink Creek fires. The fire was declared 100% contained on 9/19 at 1700 hours. Mop-up operations and rehabilitation work continues. Fuel modification in Lake area continues as well. 459 firefighters, 1 engine, 1 helicopter.
Storm Creek Fire: 107,847 acres. Started July 3. This fire was declared 100% contained on 9/17. Mop-up operations continue in the Soda Butte and Pebble Ck. areas.
Wolf Lake Fire (includes Mammoth Complex): 107,460 acres. Fire grew only twenty acres over the weekend despite dry weather and high winds. Most military crews are leaving by 9/28, and they will not be replaced. Estimated date