It smelt like fire the good type of fire. That of wood and grass not that of trash and debris. Once youve been around it long enough you can tell what’s burning. The blaze was incredible swirling twists and tornados of flame kicking high into the air. At times so powerful it would up root the trees and throw them with it. It was a massive fire thousands and thousands of acres. He watched as it approached the town. Those who stayed would be gone fast. Those who left would return to nothing. He watched as it started approaching the first row of homes. Memories and items of those quickly taken back by mother nature herself. The flames moved quickly and houses are the best kind of kindling. The radio chattered as a low flying plane barely crested the tree tops. The red retardant fell, a last ditch effort in a lost battle. He stood as home by home the town burned. Not a single thought about the devastation just about the briefing he’d give in a few minutes. They had dug the line, built the breaks and made the plan. Yet here they all were watching as the fire burned through the town. The thing about fire is you can predict how it will move pretty easily. The hard part is telling it no. He watched as the town burned a sight he’d seen many times before. His heart was sad for those who lived there. But thats how it works you build on mother earth and mother earth will show you her stripes. A voice cut through his absent mind. “Jud the PIO’s are ready with the gear.” He turned down the radio chatter and got ready for the update.
Housed and Fed 