Dangerous Days

For all of the joys of living and playing in a forested paradise, a fact of life is the threat of fire as the heat and dry summer days progress. On I-90, just outside Missoula which is home to a Smokejumper base, a wildfire broke out next to the freeway and quickly roared up and over the mountainside. The chopper shown here was barely visible through the smoke as it dropped retardant chemicals on the fire. It was a rare up-close look at the challenges faced in fighting forest fires and protecting lives and property. While here in North Idaho we don't have to endure hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and the like, wildfires can prove just as devastating. Red flag alerts and burn bans are in effect in many recreational areas so obey the law and be careful.