#4 – North to Alaska
Bobbie Scopa
When firefighters go north to Alaska to fight fires for the first time it’s a real adventure. Firefighting up there can be very different than in the lower 48 states. In the interior of Alaska, distances between roads can be gigantic. Logistical support comes via cargo nets from helicopters or cargo chutes by plane instead of trucks. Those are just two of many differences. On my first fire assignment to the interior we were sent to protect some scattered hunting cabins owned by native Alaskans as well as the oil pipeline from a wildfire started by lightning. Since we were protecting the pipeline we did have some road access. This story is about what happened one night while assigned to the fire. Keep in mind that although I might refer to my co-workers as knuckleheads (which you’ll soon see why), I loved these guys. They were like real brothers to me and I still love them and the memories from when we worked together.
Awesome story, Bobbie. I like that this a recorded blog, spoken instead of written. You’re such a natural story teller.
Thanks Riva. I love telling the stories. If folks laugh half as much as I do it will be worth it. This one was a bit too long but I felt like I had to do some explaining to start off with. Be well friend.
just now able to listen to your stories….
Surprised — Bobbie, you got most of this story correct – well, maybe except for the names!
The names I used were extremely appropriate. 🙂
And furthermore… I didn’t mention that you guys, I mean the knuckleheads, we’re singing all the way to the Arctic circle.
Loved this one. Laughed and laughed. Geology teams are much the same.