My name is Chad I'm a retired Wildland Firefighter, Photographer and Digital Artist. This picture is one of my digital creations and depicts Fire and and can be viewed at my website https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chad-vidas.
July 1988 It was to be a fire season the wouldn't end till snow came from the sky and blanket the earth white. We just got off the Mushroom fire in Wyoming and were back at our home port of Walden, Colorado. I love Walden it is full of streams to fish and famous fishing lakes Delaney Buttes and Lake John and when I wasn't fighting fire I was fishing! This morning I rolled out of my sleeping bag at about 6Am to the sound of rising brown trout. I was on a two week furlough. It is customary to have time off after a long fire but is not always given it would depend on the fire season. I placed a dry fly on my fishing line and made a beautiful cast....bam..splash I hooked a beautiful brown trout. Minutes later my pager went off. With a message that came across the screen FIRE.
The drive into town is only 15 minutes and I was met by most of our team. Our briefing would start at 0900 so I had plenty of time to get some chow they had breakfast and fresh coffee made for us...I love chow time. Tom Maverick entered the room he was fire boss for all of the Routt National Forest and he didn't get out much he was always busy coordinating fire events. This must be something big if he was here..my heart skipped a beat and I was excited.
July 1988 0900 briefing begins. Good morning gentleman sorry to pull you away from your much needed rest but duty calls. As of 1500 yesterday we had over 100 lightening strikes in our beloved first National Park Yellowstone. Hell yes I thought to myself I always wanted to see Yellowstone. Tom went on to say "we have 42 fires that have popped up and it is very dry the largest fire today is the North Fork Fire." This is where we will be going gentleman now I will be your Fire Boss on this one and we will be initial attack and were going to be flying in we have 5 helicopters coming in from the Rocky Mountain Coordination Center they will be here at 1000 hours lets get our gear ready meet at the helispot in 15 minutes. Thank you gentleman.
I caught up with Hal slapped him on the shoulder and said fire dogs---and I barked like a dog. He just laughed. You ready to eat smoke and make a bunch of money Hal? He said "Hell Yes". Now there is nothing more fun then a long helicopter ride. I stepped up into a Bell UH-1 Iroquois also known as a "Huey". Strapped in and took out my Copenhagen took a big chew and put a empty bottle in my shirt for spitting I was ready. The doors were off this beast so it was going to be a windy ride. I got my camera out no way was I going to miss out on photo ops.
July 1988 Yellowstone National Park 1600 hours Firebase Delta. We landed in a huge meadow that had been turned into a huge firebase. Tents were everywhere over to my right I seen American Flags and Marine flag. The 1st Battalion 5th Marines From Camp Pendleton have joined the fight. They were being trained up in 5 large tents. Our tents were on the other side of camp. We were ordered to stow our gear then meet at Delta one tent for briefing. Fires have been burning in Yellowstone now since June 14 Storm Creek Fire. It was July 23 1988. Since June there were a total of 8 fires on multiple fronts. This was to be my first project fire.
July 1988 Yellowstone National Park Delta firebase briefing. We were an 80 man and woman crew made up of the best Fire Dogs Colorado produced. Hello all! Said a giant of a man he stood around 6'7 all muscle his name Big John. Today the Clover mist fire made a run and now the two fires Clover Mist and North Fork fires have merged as one. You folks from the Routt will have tonight off please get accustom to your home base get your packs ready to go and your repelling gear hooked up on helicopters 1,2,3 and 4. You will be repelling into a hot zone where you will build a new helispot. When that is completed you will be doing back burn operations secure the helispot in a black line. We will be keeping you out there for a week or two so get used to your spike camp. Sooner you get the helispot done sooner we can get steaks to ya! Oorah! 80 people go Oorah back then the Marines joined in.
July 1988 Yellowstone National Park 0600 Chow Tent. I sure do love the chow tent. Today I'm having steak, eggs, gravy and biscuits hot coffee and huge glass of orange juice. we all eat in silence. Eating is a big deal at firebase and we were not fooling around. We loaded up and had a 30 min helicopter ride I could see the fire raging. We came up on a mountain park nice spot for a helispot. I was the first out the door I love repelling. My eyes went from the fire to the forest floor and I landed softly to the ground unhooked and started helping the guys with our gear. We were about 10 miles from the main body of fire. This spot would serve as our home while we fought this fire. Hal and I drew Fire Weather watch. Crap I wanted to get dirty. Fire Weather watch is very important and someone is always doing it. It allows us to know what the winds, weather and fire are doing so were never caught off guard. Were to hike to the ridge about a mile away and climb a big rock outcrop. We had a great vantage point of the fire and of the guys down below. Hal would take the first batch of weather tests while I watched out. Hal did you feel that? Yes wind is picking up. 25 MPH south to southwest. Ok I'll radio it in. Routt 1 Vidas Routt 1 Vidas weather advisory Go for Routt 1...Routt 1 be advised 25mph south to southwest we got some crowning on the south flank.
July 1988 Yellowstone National Park South Flank blows up! Hot Shots and Marines are back burning the south flank. The heard my weather advisory and have to stop operations too much wind will cause the fire to come back on them. The roar started small but got louder and louder.. The fire was now crowning and was beginning to create its own winds...Firestorm was coming.
Please continue to check back for more of this story many days were spent on this fire and more events will be talked about.
About the Creator
Chad Vidas
Former Wildland Firefighter. I'm a Colorado Native I live in Harris Park, Colorado. I'm a photographer and digital artist you can view my work here.
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chad-vidas
Keep reading
More stories from Chad Vidas and writers in Earth and other communities.
The Day Of Fire
It is human nature to believe in a greater good. My name is Chad I'm a retired Wildland Firefighter, Photographer and Digital Artist. This picture is one of my digital creations and depicts Fire and and can be viewed at my website https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chad-vidas.
By Chad Vidas4 years ago in Motivation
The Plant That Thrives Without Water, Loves Heat, and Turns Any Yard Into a Butterfly Haven
As climate change reshapes weather patterns and water scarcity becomes a growing concern, gardeners around the world are rethinking what they plant. The era of thirsty lawns and delicate flowers is slowly giving way to a new generation of resilient, eco-friendly greenery. Among these standout survivors is a remarkable plant that thrives without regular watering, flourishes in intense heat, and transforms ordinary yards into vibrant butterfly sanctuaries. This plant is commonly known as butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a hardy native species that is redefining sustainable gardening. Built for Heat and Drought Butterfly weed is naturally adapted to harsh conditions. Native to dry prairies and open grasslands, it has evolved deep roots that allow it to access moisture far below the surface. Once established, it requires little to no supplemental watering, even during prolonged heatwaves. Unlike traditional garden plants that wilt under the sun, butterfly weed actually thrives in full sunlight. Temperatures that scorch lawns and stress ornamentals are exactly what this plant prefers. Its thick, narrow leaves minimize water loss, while its sturdy stems resist wind and heat damage. For homeowners living in drought-prone or arid regions, this makes butterfly weed an ideal solution—beautiful without being demanding. A Magnet for Butterflies and Pollinators What truly sets butterfly weed apart is its powerful role in supporting pollinators. Its bright orange, yellow, or red flower clusters are rich in nectar, attracting a wide range of butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Most notably, butterfly weed is a critical host plant for monarch butterflies. Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed species, and butterfly weed provides both food and shelter for their caterpillars. With monarch populations declining due to habitat loss and pesticide use, planting butterfly weed can make a real difference. Beyond monarchs, the plant also draws swallowtails, painted ladies, and native bees, turning even a small yard into a buzzing ecosystem. Low Maintenance, High Impact One of the biggest appeals of butterfly weed is how little effort it requires. After the first growing season, maintenance is minimal. It doesn’t need frequent pruning, fertilizing, or pest control. In fact, overwatering or rich soil can actually harm it. It grows well in poor, sandy, or rocky soil—conditions that many gardeners struggle with. Once planted, it establishes itself slowly but steadily, returning year after year as a reliable perennial. This makes it perfect for busy homeowners, beginners, or anyone looking to reduce water bills and gardening workload without sacrificing visual appeal. Beauty With a Purpose Butterfly weed proves that sustainable gardening doesn’t mean compromising on aesthetics. Its vivid flowers bloom for weeks during summer, creating bold color contrasts in landscapes that might otherwise look dry or dull. It pairs well with ornamental grasses, lavender, and other drought-tolerant plants, making it a favorite in modern xeriscaping designs. Whether planted in borders, wildflower gardens, or urban yards, it brings both structure and color. Unlike invasive ornamentals, butterfly weed coexists peacefully with native plants, strengthening local ecosystems rather than disrupting them. A Climate-Smart Choice As heatwaves become more frequent and water restrictions more common, plants like butterfly weed represent the future of gardening. They reduce dependence on irrigation, support wildlife, and help landscapes remain resilient under changing conditions. By choosing drought-tolerant, native species, gardeners can actively participate in climate adaptation—one plant at a time. Butterfly weed, in particular, shows how small choices can have wide-reaching environmental benefits. How to Grow It Successfully Growing butterfly weed is straightforward. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Seeds can be sown directly in the ground, though patience is key—the plant focuses on root development in its first year before producing abundant blooms. Once established, it requires little care. Avoid fertilizers and heavy mulching, and let nature do the rest. In return, the plant will reward you with years of color and life. Final Thoughts The plant that thrives without water, loves heat, and turns any yard into a butterfly haven is more than just a gardening trend—it’s a symbol of a smarter, more sustainable relationship with nature. Butterfly weed proves that beauty and resilience can go hand in hand. In a world facing rising temperatures and shrinking resources, it offers a hopeful reminder: sometimes, the toughest plants create the most vibrant life.
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi2 days ago in Earth
TODAY’S WEATHER NEWS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WHAT AMERICANS SHOULD EXPECT RIGHT NOW
TODAY’S WEATHER NEWS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WHAT AMERICANS SHOULD EXPECT RIGHT NOW Weather conditions continue to be one of the most discussed daily topics across the United States, especially as seasonal transitions bring noticeable changes in temperature, storms, and regional weather patterns. Today’s weather reflects a mix of warming trends, lingering cold pockets, and active systems affecting different parts of the country. From the West Coast to the East Coast, Americans are paying close attention to how temperatures will feel, whether rain or snow is expected, and how conditions may impact daily routines.
By America today 2 days ago in Earth
The Devil's Cut
“Comrade, finally you’re awake.” The voice was smooth, sensual. A flickering incandescent bar was all that lit the white, sterile room. All Vladimir remembered was everything going black. He tried to move his arms and found them strapped to the gurney.
By Matthew J. Fromm6 days ago in Fiction
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.