09. December, 2022 — Readers of FireAviation and WildfireToday have probably noticed that we have lately featured fewer-than-usual posts here by Bill Gabbert.
“That’s because I have developed an incurable disease,” says Mr. Gabbert. “I have pancreatic cancer. The symptoms started about September, and the diagnosis came in October. Basically there will be no major changes to either of these websites, but there will be a bit of a transition period that may take us a little while.”
Bill Gabbert and the poster for ONLY THE BRAVE, photo by Wendee PettisThe WildfireToday site was launched in January 2008 and FireAviation followed four years later in 2012. “I have long had a passion for wildland fire,” says Mr. Gabbert, “and it requires continuous learning. I’ve always been a student of wildfire, and I wanted to create a venue for the fire community that encouraged students of wildfire. I am certain that I don’t want that venue squandered. I therefore have decided to give all rights to both websites to the International Association of Wildland Fire. The IAWF shares my values, and my commitment to preserving these two websites and 15 years of collected data, knowledge, and experience gathered from thousands of people who share our passion for wildland fire.”
REGARDING ADVERTISERS: Bill Gabbert wants you to know that we all appreciate your support for the last 15 years. “We couldn’t have done this without the advertisers,” he says. “We value your support over the years and someone with IAWF will be in touch in the near future about our upcoming plans. The intention is that both websites will continue on mostly without interruption. Our goal is that the knowledge accumulated over the years on these two sites will not be abandoned.”
“Things progressed a lot faster medically here than what was projected,” added Bill, “but we’re doing the best we can.”
REGARDING OUR READERS: Bill Gabbert and the IAWF are committed to maintaining the continuity and quality of both sites and the news and commentary that have made both WildfireToday and FireAviation trusted sources of wildland fire journalism for years.
Bill is interviewed about the Washington DC weather after he had interviewed retiring F&AM director Tom Harbour.FROM THE IAWF:
Since 2008 Bill Gabbert has developed and published WildfireToday; his journalism and commentary expanded in 2012 to include the FireAviation site.
In these publications we have learned of changes in wildland fire operations and policy and have tracked how wildland fires affect our lives and communities.
Bill was often the first to tell us of fire tragedies and new developments in the field. It is the community he gathered — the experts and sources he knew and depended on and the readers and businesses who supported both sites — that makes these sites what they are.
Bill Gabbert enjoyed the photo exhibit at the Continuum Conference at Missoula in the spring of 2018 and Kari Greer made this portrait of Bill in the gallery.Today the IAWF honors Bill as a key to both the history and the future of wildland fire in the U.S. and beyond.
As Bill moves on here, he has asked us to manage the future of these publications; it’s an honor and a challenge to steward his legacy.
15 Comments
Oh no! I look forward to every one of these Fire Aviation and wish you the very best.
I gotta tell ya I look so forward to seeing Bill’s Posts. Bill You are the Man. Egor’s Dream was the Skycrane and I lived it also for 10 years as a Mech & FE. Changed replaced redid every CH54B part known to Man in many Stateside CTARNG scenarios. Bill… I see your Passion in all your Posts. Well anyway I made a whole bunch of Crane T-Shirts years back and would like to send some to You and your Crew. Get back to me somehow with an Address. Thank You.
Bill, our prayers are with you. Always enjoy your writing. Hang in there buddy.
Thinking of you, Bill. Your now on my prayer list too.
Thank you for so much Bill. One lick, one step…
God Bless you Bill. I worked with and lived next door to you at Camp Ole on the Cleveland, shit 40 years ago and look forward to learning more from you in the future
Thinking of you Bill. Thank you so much for this website. Take care.
Jerome
I read you every day – you have been a true spokesman for the fire community, often tackling sensitive and timely issues that need to be heard – challenging management where they needed to be challenged.
I wish you well during this difficult time.
Bill Moody (Chile 2016)
I’m sorry to read of this Bill, hard to come to terms at times. See if you can find a book called “on death & dying” by elisabeth kubler-ross M.D…let me explain. it helps the person themselves, but it also helps to allow you to better help loved ones and friends cope with it.
it’s really helped me, i was told july 13th that i need a heart transplant, and both lungs transplanted. but i also have a non treatable medical condition that makes me ineligible, they told me just yesterday both kidneys are shutting down as well.
i wish you well in this Bill. take care
I am saddened to hear of Bill’s medical issues. I first met Bill about 25 years ago when he was FMO at INDU. I was the equivalent of an FMO for a county forest preserve district in IL trying to bring a program up to NWCG standards. Bill graciously offered a slot in training. I had the opportunity to burn with the INDU crew and Bill came out to IL to see a burn in a fuel type common at INDU but one he had not worked with much (decadent cattails).
Bill was always the professional in both fire and later in journalism. He will be missed by many.
I am looking forward to what IAWF can do to continue Bill’s work here.
Thanks for the note, Bob — I’ll bet he remembers old-growth cattails. Bill and I are both confident that IAWF will carry on Bill’s legacy in professional pyrojournalism and make the transition on both sites seamless.
hope your trip north be good. Hope the Gates are open wide for you. As an old tanker pilot I Have enjoyed your blogs. Have a safe comfortable easy trip.
Bill: I am missing you already.
It’s ok if you have to go. You go scout things out and size it up and I will see you when I check out.
MGB (May God Bless you).
Bill, you gave so much to the Fire community through your many stories. You created with passion and gave the best of you and I thank you for it. Firefighters and people lived through your reporting some of the most important information. Your work will never be forgotten.
I wish you strength and courage in this difficult journey ahead.
Sending you all the healing vibes I can Bill. I’m sure you’ll tackle this challenge with the same passion you’ve done through your writing about fire fighting. Thank you so much for all you’ve done in dedicating so much time to the firefighting community in its various forms. As others have mentioned, your work will be remembered for years to come.
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