Fire on the Mountain

November 18, 2020

Fire on the Mountain

November 2020: Friday the 13th. What me worry? A pleasant morning turned into a nervous afternoon as smoke trails came from our mountaintop. By late afternoon flames were visible and slowly working their way towards our property. As evening fell, the flames faded and a light drizzle gave us hope that by morning it would be over. Waking up every couple of hours and checking the fire I noticed that the flames were growing and spreading, covering the whole side of our property on the Paute side. As morning broke, with the crackling of brush singing its deadly tune, I headed up the trail.

Arriving at the chicken coop, the flames were about thirty feet away. A quick trip back down the hill and Laura called Rodrigo and explained that we needed help and we needed it quickly. I returned to the chicken coop and tried to rig up a water hose, but I was having very little luck. Frustrated, I headed back towards the house. Arriving at the front yard Fernando, our neighbor came driving through the gate. We did not call him, he just came. We returned to rig the hose and this time with his help we were able to get some water going to keep the flames from the chicken coop. Heading back down to check on Rodrigo, Wilson came driving through the gate and we made another trip up the trail. Wilson had a machete and he began cutting brush. Another trip down the trail and I asked Laura about Rodrigo and the firefighters.

Rodrigo and our workers were on their way but the firefighters had better things to do. A few minutes later the workers arrived. They headed up to help Wilson and Fernando. Finally, Rodrigo arrived and gave the bad news about the firefighters. He headed up to help and all of them combined began the process of putting out the fire. About forty-five minutes later the firefighters showed up. They parked on the road below our house but the trucks were too big to get up the driveway. By this time, the fire was all the way to the road. The firefighters sprayed down the hot spots and left. By 12:30 pm there was no more smoke to be seen down below although up towards the hilltops there were some ominous clouds. The workers made one final sweep looking for hot spots. Finding none they all headed back home.

During all of this, we were having some new cabinets installed. The carpenter left about 2:00 pm and the bottom gate did not close. Wandering down to close the gate, I had a sinking feeling as I could hear the crackling of brush coming from the hillside. A quick run up the driveway, a quick check of the hill, and we were right back where we started. A quick run to the house and another call to Rodrigo telling him that we needed help as soon as possible. With no time to waste, Laura and I headed up to see what we could do. We were able to rig a hose but the water pressure was not good. The fire by this time was right next to the original house. I did what I could but after fifteen minutes the water stopped. At that point, minutes seemed like hours. As we waited for help that might not come in time. To my surprise fifteen minutes later a fire truck comes up the driveway and parked next to our pond.

The firefighters used the pond water to fight the fire. I made a quick trip up the hill and directed all of our water into our pond. By this time Lorena and Douglas showed up and helped the firefighters drag hoses. The workers showed up and helped out with hose duty. Using the fire hose with high pressure and flow the fire began to wane. Rodrigo was the last to show but he was the hero for convincing the firefighters to come. After the lower fires were out, the firefighters left but there was still the smoke drifting up from the upper lot. Everyone headed up and the fire was doing just fine up there. Threatening our spring, our newly planted orchard, and our two beehives. Racing against nightfall, we were able to extinguish the final embers shortly after dark. As we reached the yard, I gave thanks to all that helped save our property. It was over. I was still nervous. Every few minutes I would glance at the hillside, but it was finally over.

Randy's story.

This is when the fire started getting dangerously close.

Behind every smokey area, there was the fire.

Our employee/friend, Alexander "Alex" Parra (21), is one of the many people who did not hesitate to help us stop the fire in its tracks.

It took them a long time to take us seriously but the firefighters did come eventually arrive from nearby communities like Guachapala.

Randy is helping put out the fires. This fire was in danger of burning down this house which was the first house the original owners lived in while the house we live in now was built.

The fires came down the hills at a steady pace.

I am so proud of Randy and everyone who helped save our house and property from the fires. My job was to document the fires. Kobe was not needed and was taking a nap. He was in no danger.

The fires were intense. Everyone kept the fires from spreading to the road and our neighbors' properties. Our neighbor's hose that he uses for the water supply for him and his family melted and had to be replaced.

Rodrigo Saca and our other friends called the fire department and didn't stop calling the fire department until they agreed to come and help put out the fires.