As promised, here is the last batch of photos from the Dudley Fire that damaged a structure and burned two acres in Buffalo Gap, about 24 miles south of Rapid City, South Dakota.
In addition to state and federal engines, there was a sizable contingent of resources from volunteer fire departments that helped fight the fire. And there were quite a few local residents that showed up carrying shovels. The woman in these photos found a McCleod tool somewhere and wanted to pitch in and help the firefighters, but after a wind shift she found the fire spreading toward her and had to make a strategic withdrawal. The local residents helped pull hose, put in a bit of scratch line, and operated a tractor and a dozer to move the large burning cottonwood trees after they were felled, and helped spread the burning hay so it could be mopped up.
Do I have this right? This lady is pitching in to help firefighters, by marching into a running grass fire with no PPE… and then she had to make a strategic withdrawal after a wind shift sent the fire toward her?
Well, correction on the PPE, she does have gloves on, safety first.
And we scrutinize wildland firefighters for rolling up the sleeves on a nomex shirt. These photos crack me up and horrify me at the same time. I’m glad she didn’t get burned up.
On the 6th we had several little grass fires here in Kansas. One burnt in 3 counties and was 20 miles in length (40.000 acres) and shut down US Highway 400 east of Wichita.