I have been feeling a little snakebit lately covering grass fires. We have had some pretty good size fire near us but by the time I get there the fire is knocked down or it is too far away to get any visible flames. Late this afternoon I headed to Corral Hollow for a report of a grass fire near I-580. And yes there were flames.
No I'm not a pyromaniac but if you are covering a grass fire you really should have flames in your pictures. it sort of makes sense. Usually it is an access issue, how close can I get to where the fire is burning. As luck would have it this fire was burning in a field close to the roadway near an abandoned landfill.
I remembered to grab my wildlands jacket and followed Engine 97 into the fire. The flames were edging close to the access road but not too bad. I could feel the heat as the flames crackled next to me. Then as luck would have it a change in the wind pressed the flames closer to the access road. The view started to gray in the smoke and I said screw it and sprinted to the truck. Looking back I could see flames lap and roll up against the access road. I did say I wanted flames didn't I?
The fire crews knocked the fire down in about a half an hour I walked intom the blackened field for a couple of more shots. The slightest step sent a small ash cloud swirling around me. With enough pictures of flames and the cleanup I headed back to the office where I was mocked for the slightly smokey smell from being so close to the action.
It wasn't the biggest fire of the season but I did manage to squeeze off some decent fire action. It's all about getting close and getting the shot. Driving back to the office I downed the last of my afternoon coffee. Coffee and flames. Yep, it was a good day after all.
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