Saturday Night's Alright for Firefighting
Late Saturday, just south of the Gaviota pass where the southbound 101 meets the ocean, I passed a flashing CalTrans sign asking motorists to slow down due to fire and smoke ahead. The highway was coned down to one lane, and as I crested the hill and slowed to a crawl I could clearly see the remains of a brush fire ... lots of embers--few flames, but very creepy and unnatural nonetheless.
There were many fire trucks in the area with their lights flashing, but I couldn't actually see any firefighters. Some areas of small flames and burning embers were as close as 10 feet from the right shoulder. Fortunately the prevailing winds were off shore.
One oak looked to be filled with burning embers in all its branches ... huge, angry and menacing ... its final orange cry before oblivion. The image, from a distance, was striking.
There were many fire trucks in the area with their lights flashing, but I couldn't actually see any firefighters. Some areas of small flames and burning embers were as close as 10 feet from the right shoulder. Fortunately the prevailing winds were off shore.
One oak looked to be filled with burning embers in all its branches ... huge, angry and menacing ... its final orange cry before oblivion. The image, from a distance, was striking.