Despite all that has happened this year as I look around I think how lucky I have been in life. I have those that I love and hold dear mostly still around to comfort me. My heart breaks for the families of those whose fire season ended early this year. Such a catastrophe is difficult to accept. I also feel for those who witnessed and were unable to do more as the scene unfolded in front of them. The feeling of uselessness is one I simply cannot stand and I know it is for many others in the fire service as well. The only good thing to come from something like this is the fact that all the agencies and various companies infighting disappears while everyone realizes no matter who we are or work for we all strive for the same goal - to come home at the end of the night and the end of the season. My thoughts and prayers are with the wildland firefighting community right now. Between the soldiers that are deployed and the firefighters that on the line it seems like I have a lot to pray for. I guess the best advice I was ever given that is worth sharing is “Keep your head high and never ask ‘What’s next?’you might not like the answer!"
