Local News Comments

Thanks to the men & women trained to go into burning structures when we all run out- another job well done... But the first day of summer is tomorrow & w/temperatures rising, we must do our part to prevent potential inferno's.

Take a ride along most highways and what do you see? Mile high grass as dry as the day is long, a matchstick away from total devastation. It scares the begeezers out of me & I don't understand how people can let it get so bad. I guess taking the dangerous, deplorably hot job of fire-fighters for granted is a start. But what happens if this county starts cutting it's force in ways other counties are doing?

The heat of this issue is chilling.

Some idiot with a cigarette butt who thinks throwing a light one out the window is funny....or even worse, doesn't think at all.

mairalargo

Do you perchance work in fire fighting? Just asking.

I believe there's a hefty fine if caught tossing a lit one out a window but that's easier said than done, since most never get caught. I implore all citizens w/cell phones w/someone other than themselves in the car who can take pictures, please do so! You can remain anonymous.

As with everything else, we responsible & considerate folks have to pick up where those whom are neither, do not. But I'd rather pick up dirty, ole cigarette butts all day than someones pieces of burnt memories.

If having been married to one "works" leaperman, then I qualify :))

I was wondering why my power went out....

Wow!Looks like firefighters have been busy the last week all over the western United States. Keep up the good work I will pray for all of you to stay safe.

Firefighters don't run into burning buildings as much as you think.lol.

I don't work in fire fighting, but mairalargo is is right on. I couldn't do that job, and having learned about what it entails first hand I am not only impressed by what they do, have a high respect for them. Was it determined that a cig caused the fire?

Leapeman- do you know that cigarettes actually don't start nearly as many fires as people think? There are so many factors that all have to fall perfectly in line for a cigarette to ignite grass. I do agree that it is s bad habit a lot of people have because it only takes that one perfect storm for things to get bad. Just thought I'd throw out that bit of info.

I Remember the drought after the complex fires in the 80s I saw a SHERIFF THROW A CIG.BUTT OUT THE WINDOW ON DRAPER MINE. i CALLED The sheriff he said mind your own. and did nothing.

Maybe mairalargo is just a citizen who gets the overall picture! I agree with her

I've wondered why we can't have our county's ablebodied welfare recipients weedeat and pick up trash along our county's highways.

I can't count the number of times I've see these morons flicking their cigarette ashes or lit butts out their car windows! If you tell them to use their ashtrays they just flip you off. It's still a very real problem even though the number of smokers has diminished over the years. Please, folks, use your ashtrays and save us all alot of money and grief. And don't pull off the road in your car or motorcycle into the weeds--that's an easy fire-starter.

I agree whole-hardheartedly, jayinsonora! People caught committing minor acts of crimes might think twice after weeks in the hot, hot sun w/weed eater in hand! It would save tax-payers in cost (no jail time); the county in cost (no outsourcing) & bring peace of mind by eliminating potentially dangerous situations.

The perfect storm awaits us all... especially since Smokey & the Bears are getting lay-off notices nationwide. I think the city of Isleton has, like, one cop & one fire fighter left; maybe a bit exaggerated- but their safety force is in dire straights.

I grew up around fire fighters, even tried to suit-up myself but as a woman, just didn't have the upper body strength to lift required gear w/the weight of those suits (which also fights against gravity); imagine that in a fire!

Great point Sonoraj.....bad habit but very true!
With what F-Fighters make and the months off they get(and paid for it)I would take a job in a heart beat!

mountainman, put your application in before Jan. Maybe you will get picked up as a seasonal. Having your FFI, EMT, and CDF 67 and a little vol experience would help. There is no age limit on hiring. Go for it!

mairalargo

that kinda works...some of it rubs off..just like being married to a "lifer" in the military. I think firefighters are the bee's knees...
All except for the unions...and the POLITICS.

Someone who becomes a doctor or a firefighter made a conscous choice to help someone...or for money...I like to believe it was for the common good.

Mountainman

As a retired FF I can attest to the fact that no ff gets "months" of paid vacation. They get paid vacation time (starting with about 6 to 8 shifts a year). In some departments they can work shifts for each other which can give the appearance of lots of paid time off, but that time is repaid by working double or triple shifts for no more pay. If you think it's so lucrative, what's stopping you? Of course, do keep in mind that firefighters on average don't live as long as most other professions due to stress, toxic exposures, etc. and a large percentage suffer chronic respiratory, heart, cancer, back and joint ailments at a much earlier age than most guys too. Like anything else, it's a tradeoff. Take the bad with the good. It's an exciting, gratifying and proud profession.