Mid-July Update

Wait!  It’s hardly been two weeks since the last blog update.  What am I doing back here already ?

With the urgent flood situations now mostly under control, our staff have returned, and Hailey and I were able to move back to our primary fire base camp.

More lookouts needed to have their supplies flown in, so that meant another couple days in the air..

All of the lookouts are situated on high ground (of course), and the mountain-top ones are even more obvious targets for lightning.  This one was no exception and had recently taken a direct hit.  The result was no internet, telephone, microwave, and lights.  We brought up an electrician, and soon had things running normally again.

 

Of course, getting to these lookouts involves flying over lots of scenery!

Pepper’s lake

Ram Falls

Back at home on days off, the r/c helicopter got up again – for a look at a nearby drill rig in operation.

I accepted an invitation to head in to the Calgary Stampede and take in a couple outdoor shows.

On the way back to work the ground fog one morning was widespread.

One day I got on a quad course with a bunch of the firefighters who use the machines on occasion to reach isolated fires if flying is not an option.

As per request; requisite photos of Ms Hailey.

With the scarcity of fires in the area, the frequency of helicopters visiting the base has reached an all-time low.

So I was surprised yesterday to hear an un-announced machine coming in for an apparent landing.

Turns out it was a Stars rescue helicopter stopping in for some fuel on the way to hospital with a patient.  I provided the required fuel and they were soon on their way.