Memorial to Krassel Victims

The Memorial to the victims of last years fatal helicopter crash, which occurred on our forest. This stone is located in the town of Yellow Pine. The Krassel Crew is in charge of the east side of our forest, and Price Valley (me) is in charge of the west side. We have a whole lotta friendly rivalry.

Random days in Fire

Helping out the Recreation folks on our forest by clearing a few trails
Trying out engine life
My Birthday - gracefully being led into the creek

Heli-torching in Wyoming

Helitorching is an effective method of burning up fuel before the fire reaches it, which causes the front to be surrounded by black and cut-off from future fuel sources. Helitorching is great especially when its not on your home forest, because when the shit hits the fan (as it often does) you can wipe your hands and head home.

Helitorch operation - involves mixing a solution similar to napalm, and then filling 55 gallon drums with the fuel for the helicopter to spray on the forest.

A-star B3 - ship we used for this particular operation
A masked professional adding a bit of secret sauce.
The helicopter making fire

Our other ship - Bell Super 212 5KA
A building column
What became of our labors. While it looks like hell, the next day this fire was put to bed, because it was trapped in the black.
Todd and I celebrating Canada Day, which delighted our pilots (true hosers from up north).

Slider Fire

69H, one of our ships surrounded by ominous clouds.

Another fire

After rappelling into the Slider Fire I grabbed a saw, and proceeded to log the forest (just joking).

Riffling through our bags for food
Bryce and our helicopter Hiking out of the Slider Fire (I'm the second guy from the right)

Proficiency Rappels

Rappellathon

I'm suiting up for action

Not the best pics, but if you click on them individually you'll get an idea of what's going on

Throwing the ropes
Ropes are ready

Stepping out to the skids
Ready to go
Going inverted

Time to race

Initial Attack

En route to a fire flying in a Bell 205 ++.


Some of the Guys

Eric Panebaker
Dave Andreiko

Seth Weber isn't as excited as the rest of us.

Sorry no pictures of the fire - I was working, but here we are munching down the next day (i'm the one in the middle).
Dave and Bryce have the exact same thought in the process of cold trailing.

Taste of the Payette National Forest

Mom and kids
Paddling around the marshes of Payette Lake

Our Heli-Base from the Air
A couple of shots of the forest

Payette Lake and the local McCall golf course