Well so far it looks like the fall fire season is a bust. Way too much rains here in the south east anyway. Im looking to go back to work about a week late since spending nearly 10 days in the hospital battling flu and pnumonia and was nearly placed on life support due to not getting enough oxygen. I was placed on 10 liters per min for 6 days and faced the possibiklity of being placed on life support so I could breathe. Not a very good way for a firefighter to start out fall season but..im back, exercising and getting into shape. Hopefully I can return soon and perhaops get to smell a little smoke before winter sets in.
10/15/09
Just updating this blog. I was supposed to go back on duty today but my doctor still has me on leave. I got the flu a few weeks back on a sunday, let it go thinking I could beat it then 6 days later I was short of breath and suffocating. Having been rushed to the ER I find I have double pnumonia in both lungs, o2 sat was down bad so they put me on 15 liters per min. Doctors advised me (while I was concious) that I was in critical condition and faced being placed on life support.
Let me tell you being told that makes you work hard to bounce back. After two weeks in the hospital bed Im back doing good now and breathing better. Im on leave till next week then with some luck I can return to work.
10/16/2009
Well I go back to the doctor Tuesday and hope he releases me for work. Already been told I will be released on light duty for at least two weeks. I explained the job role (on the dozer crew) he advised me point blank that I needed to go on the pumper truck for two weeks then see how I was doing, guess the old wind bags arent up to chasing dozers and backfiring yet according to him. Doesent look like we are going to get a fire anyway. I heard today the state was installing pontoons on all the dozers. More as I get it. Cyaz!
Tags: Tennessee Forestry Fire News Fall Fire Season
Morgan and Roane Co, Tennessee
Well spring 2009 seemed to start off with a bang for the Morgan and Roane county crews, we had several fast moving fires in the local pine plantations, nearly lost a dozer on one fire. Then came the Buzzards bluff fire in Ronae County. THhis place is so steep blly goats wont live there. The fire went from the bottom all the way to the top of the mountain, about 1 and 1/2 miles. This was an all hand lines fire, no way to get a plow in there so needless to say it was a horrible day and night.
The following day we went back and done some patrolling and mop up, thought it was all over but oh no..we had a break over the next day and there we were right back in the middle of hell. Thank goodness this time it only burned half the size of the last one. Containment came pretty fast and the next few days were all smaller fires. Its rainiy ourside right now so not much to worry about.
I got sick shortly after the last few fires (5 days ago) cant breathe, lungs are full of junk and so sore from coughing its not even funny. I guess the next two weeks will be engine duty for me since I cant run behind the plow and keep up. Was taking today opff but the boss called wanting to know if I wanted to come in and tough it through some classes...oh well why not least Im getting paid to learn and not having to suck smoke right now.
April 06
Intermittent spring showers hve reduced the fire season here in the eastern part of Tennessee and so far looks like it will stay that way. The drought conditions here have been reduced as well. Looks as if spring will go out gently as far as fire activity is concerned. Noone really knows what to expect from summer, it could stay moist or dry back out in no time, we shall see.
Tags: Tennessee Morgan Roane Forestry
