Forest Fires, Friends and Foe

By Mark Wulk

From fire to fire friendships and enemies are built

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667892740

Book preview

FIRES, FRIENDS AND FOE

My 21st birthday was put into motion months before September 1st.  This was the first summer that I went and fought forest fires.  For many reasons, it turned out to be a summer that I will never forget. I did not alter any part of this story, except names have been changed for privacy (and according to my experience, is completely true). This is my account of fighting fires the summer of 2000 for Ferguson Management Company.

The thought of fighting forest fires had never crossed my mind before that summer. I was twenty years old and just two years prior, I had broken my neck (C4, C5, C6) in a car wreck. My parents had been told by the doctor that I might not wake up.  I did wake up and was then told by the doctor that I would never walk again. I was literally one millimeter from being paraplegic.  It surprised everyone in the room (especially the doctor) when I was able to get out of bed and walk.

I had hit a telephone pole at seventy miles per hour (estimated by the police).  I had been drinking a lot the night before, which is why I wrecked, and do not remember the event. Once I woke up and was able to get around, I was arrested by the police and put in jail (just getting out of the hospital.)

I was always the one that said It won’t happen to me.  Well let me tell you, it can and will happen to you if you are as stupid as I was. Please do not be that stupid.  I watched my both my parents age ten years that night.  My dad was the state police officer that rolled up on the scene. (I am truly sorry mom and dad.  I love you both and it will never happen again).

My best friends Randy and Dave came to me one day, all excited, asking if I wanted to go fight forest fires with them.  I said sure with no hesitation. The next thing I know we are all sitting in a class, taking and passing tests to become FFT2 Wildland

Forest Fire Fighters.

The first year requires you to be in a classroom for five days and then pass a written test.  It also requires a pack test to evaluate your physical abilities.  This consists of putting on a 45 pound vest and walking three miles in less than forty five minutes.  There was no running allowed, which made it a lot harder.  When I read these requirements, it seemed so simple.  However if you underestimate the challenge, you will fail.  I would recommend taking two aspirins before hand to prevent cramping.  You can push through the burning, but cramps will put you down.

My friends and I all signed up together, but life does not always workout the way you want or expect it to.  Randy and Dave got called out together first in early May.  I was at their house when they both got the call.  We’re going to Colorado.  Randy got called back home for personal business after six days and never returned to the fire lines.  Dave completed his two week run.  The Federal Government only allows you to work for fourteen days in a row. You are then required to take two days off.

After Dave’s two days off, he and I got called out together.  At the time, we both had girlfriends.  The four of us got up early and went out to breakfast before we had to be at the office. I had a couple pancakes with