Training Comment for the SLC SE Division Net

July 5, 2012 Training Comment

for the Salt Lake City Southeast Division Net

By T. Mike Smith, KM7TMS

            Awakening this morning to a cooler, moist day was an unusual and pleasant experience.  After so many days of high temperatures and dry air, you probably savored the day as I did.  It has been a time of heat and fire.  Checking this morning I found active large fires spread across the state.  The Church Camp, Clay Springs, Millville, Miner, Pole Creek, Quail, Seeley, Shingle, and Wolf Den were active.  The nearly 3000-acre Quail Fire in American Fork Canyon was the biggest close one, although it was anticipated to be contained during the night.

 

            We have seen campfires, fireworks, shooting, access and vehicle restrictions, along with various admonitions from important people because of the extreme fire danger.  We have seen thousands evacuated from their homes and extensive property damage and public expense.  This morning’s total acreage for Utah wildland fires for the year was just over 100,000 acres with just over 99,000 of that being human caused – I was shocked, usually it is more spread.  As we are a long way from the normal fall fire relief, we can look forward to this danger continuing for a while, despite the relief today’s moister weather brought us.

Since our last Southeast Division Net, we have had a major Salt Lake Valley fire.  The Rose Crest Fire down at Herriman started last Friday when a truck’s hot exhaust put dry grass ablaze.  Of the Utah fires, this one probably grabbed our attention the most; after all, it was a significant fire in our valley.  Perhaps some of you listened to portions of the radio traffic that occurred.  In addition to the first responders, there were ham operators and some CERT individuals responding.   The rapid response is credited for significantly reducing the fire damage.  If you haven’t taken occasion to see some of the many fine pictures, you might Google Herriman Fire 2012 for some great response and fire-line images.  A person cannot view the latter and not be impressed with the life-threatening dangers this type emergency poses.  Having fought grassland fires before, I know them as dangerous, hot and dirty.

As radio operators and CERT-trained responders -- for those of us who are also the latter-- we are again reminded of the importance of our skills which are repeatedly needed, especially when the emergency arrives in our own neighborhood.