by N. C. Reed
“Uh…”
“I'm going to recommend that the two of you be taken off any duty that requires you to use the radio,” he said stiffly. “It's obvious you can't be trusted with it when we can't even reach you with something this important.” As he spoke the other ATV pulled up and Doc was off of it before it quit rolling.
“Someone want to explain to me why I have to spend five damn minutes calling on the radio to a post that's supposed to manned at all times?” he demanded, hands on his hips.
“Uh…”
“That's not an answer,” Tandi told the sputtering Leanne.
“Yeah Leanne, that's not an answer,” Leon the Deuce snarked.
“Shut up, Younger,” Gordy flattened Leon the Younger's fun before it could grow any larger. “You're as much a part of this as she is. Neither of you can be trusted to monitor the radio. Of everyone I would have thought the two of you would be the best for that job.”
“So did I,” Tandi admitted. “Boy did I call that one wrong. Treating you guys as adults was obviously not something you were ready for.”
“Hey now!” the two said in tandem with each other.
“Oh, for God's sake!” Abigail cut in. “Can we focus here?” she demanded. “Large fire? Possibly threatening our home and livelihood?”
“What kind of world must it take where you're the voice of reason,” Tandi scratched his head.
“Uh, I've got the fire plotted,” Jonathon Jackson said quietly, having been too smart to enter the family fray earlier. “I mean, if anyone is still interested,” he added slyly, not a sign of a smile on his face.
“Thanks Jon,” Gordy smiled at him. “I appreciate it,” he clapped the teen on the shoulder.
“Me too, kid,” Tandi agreed. “Show us what you got.” Everyone gathered around the map and examined the lines that showed the location and possible size of the blaze. Leon's information had been plotted in red while Tandi's was done in green. The lines would converge to give approximate locations of the extreme left, right and then center of the fire. It took Abigail only a few seconds to mutter a curse.
“What is it?” Tandi asked.
“The fire actually grew during the night,” she sighed. “I had hoped it would die down without the winds.”
“Last night was windy,” Zachary Willis noted from where he had hung back, reluctant to get in the midst of the Sanders' clan argument. Everyone looked at him.
“What?” he held his hands out to his sides, palms up. “I was on guard duty last night. Wind was blowing all evening.”
“How high?” Abigail asked.
“About like now, though it would gust on occasion.”
“Great,” Abby looked at the flag flying on top of the center building, the one with the apartments. The flag was flapping in the wind enough that no one would have trouble recognizing the state flag of Tennessee.
“The wind is about ten miles an hour right now,” she estimated. “So, it was fanning the flames last night when I was hoping it was dying some. Now. . .” she looked at the map, then studied the video recordings of the drone flights, then went back to the map.
“Now we're looking at about six thousand acres worth of fire at a rough guess,” she finally announced. “A fire that's now about twenty-two or so miles away. We could only rough guess at this yesterday, and admittedly that's all this is, but it's far better than yesterday, too. I can't estimate how fast the fire is moving, but it is definitely moving this direction. No idea yet exactly how fast, either, but. . .assuming our location yesterday was accurate and then today. . .I'd say we're looking at about eight to ten miles a day.”
“That's all?” Tandi asked, frowning.
“That's in every direction,” Abby replied. “The fire is growing by that much as each twenty-four to thirty-six hours pass without it being fought. Realize too that we don't have any kind of weather prediction now. Right now, it's windy with low humidity, which is perfect for fire growth. Add in the fact that we're coming out of winter and everything is dead and dry as a bone? This fire could double again by this time tomorrow. Day after that? We could be seeing flames right here,” she said flatly.
“Well that ain't good,” Tandi mused. “We better inform. . .well, everyone, I guess.”
“I guess.”
-
“So, the fire is definitely heading our way?”
“I can't say definitely that it will just aim for the heart of the ranch,” Abigail shook her head at her Uncle. “It doesn't work like that. And there are factors that I can't calculate because I don't have any kind of forecasting to work with, either. For instance, is it going to rain tomorrow? Wind change direction, or even strength? Humid air move in? All of that could change things, rain and wind most especially.”
“Yeah, the rain would just put the fire out,” someone she couldn't see said.
“No, it won't,” Abigail replied. “This isn't a leaf fire in the back yard, or a grill that's still burning after supper's done. While rain would retard the growth of the fire, slow it down,” she clarified for the confused looks, “it may not kill it. After a certain point the fire will be hot enough to evaporate the water from the rain and dry its fuel as it goes. For that matter once a fire reaches a certain point it begins to create its own weather phenomenon, especially wind. It's not likely this fire will be able to do that, at least not right now, but a large enough fire can begin to create its own wind which will drive it that much faster, and the heat will intensify to the point that fuel will literally begin to burn just by being near the fire. At that point the fire is so hot that fighting it becomes impossible in most cases. All you can do is try to deprive it of fuel on the ground while air assets try to retard the flames as much as possible.”
“Is this fire gonna do that?” Leanne asked, still cowed from her dressing down earlier.
“I don't know,” Abigail admitted. “At this point I'd say not likely, but remember that before the Storm, this fire would never have reached this size since volunteer and forestry units would have been on it almost from the beginning. Without any concentrated effort to reduce it, and without modern gear for the most part, anything is possible. There is so much fuel for a fire in this area, especially this time of year, that anything is possible depending on conditions.”
“So, what do we do?” Clay asked her. “Leon has put your in charge of this Abby. You're the only one here with the training and experience to handle something like this. Tell us what to do and we 'll get on it.”
Abigail looked at her uncle in bewilderment for a few seconds, not because of her being told she was in charge but because of his simple acknowledgment of her ability and experience. She fought the urge to shake her head at how crazy things were turning and got back on point.
“Nickel Creek borders most of our ranch between us and the fire,” she ran her finger along said creek on the map that had been hung on the wall. “We can't fight this fire,” she told them flatly. “We don't have the resources. No equipment to speak of and no trained personnel. No aqueduct to bring us water. Only one pump, and that only thanks to the foresight of the Duo,” she pointed at her cousins. At any other time, the two would have preened at the attention but after their earlier troubles neither showed any sign at all of being complimented.
“That means we have to create a fire break. Normally, that's not a problem. We take fire plows and carve a firebreak around the fire or in front of it, creating a barrier where there is no fuel available. After that we'd monitor the firebreak to ensure that the fire couldn't jump it. Cut down tall trees near the edge to prevent tree tops from blazing and throwing embers and coals across the break.”
“You said normally,” Mitchell Nolan spoke up. “I'm assuming there's a problem this time.”
“A whole list of them to be honest,” Abigail sighed. “But chief among them is we only have one plow, and right now we can't get it running. We're still working on it, or Jake is at the moment, but it doesn't look good. Secondly, even if we get it runn
ing, it's only one. For a fire this size the state would usually send at least three, and support that with men and equipment from area fire departments and even air units if they were needed. We got none of that.”
“We've got manpower,” Josh Webb objected.
“Untrained man power,” Abigail nodded as if he had made her point for her. “Ever fight a wild fire Mister Webb?” she asked respectfully.
“No,” he admitted. “But with enough people-”
“No offense, but too many people, especially untrained people, is almost as bad as not enough,” Abigail cut him off firmly but politely. “Wrong turns, wrong moves, wrong decisions get people killed. And getting caught in a wild fire is a horrible way to die,” she added, a slight shiver running through her.
“You've seen it before I take it?” Beverly Jackson asked softly from where she sat with Nolan.
“Yes,” was Abigail's only answer. “Anyway,” she got back on point. “We have to build a break and we have at a guess two days to get it done. That sounds like a lot of time, I know, but think about this; we need to create a break thirty to fifty yards wide in order to ensure that the fire can't possibly jump it and spread to the ranch. Cut down trees, plow the ground, deny fuel anywhere inside that break for the fire. And that break will have to be about five miles long.”
“Five miles!” more than one voice exclaimed. Abigail waited as the assembled listeners sat telling each other it couldn't be done, it wasn't necessary to be that long, the ranch wasn't that big and so on. Finally, Clay raised a hand.
“That's enough,” he told everyone. When things had quietened down, he turned back to his niece.
“Abby, I don't think the ranch runs more than maybe three, three-and-a-half miles,” he said. “Why so long?”
“Same reason we need a break so much wider than normal. We can't fight this fire so we have to make sure it can't get to us at all. We have to make sure the fire can't spread and flank us,” she replied at once, her voice firm. Confident in her knowledge. “We can't fight the fire from any direction, not just this one,” she tapped the map. “It won't do us any good to stop the fire from the front only to have it move past us and then hit our flanks. And once the fire moves, that is exactly what will happen. Fire will spread anywhere it can find fuel. And there are dry trees, dead grass, sage fields, leaf beds, pine needle beds and a dozen other fuel sources on both sides of us. In fact, once we get the initial break created, we need to think about moving to the flanks and carving similar breaks and beds there if we have the time. And if we get this beat then I'm going to work around the entire place this spring to create a firebreak around the entire ranch. This can and probably will happen again.”
“So, to answer your questions simply, we need to get across Nickel Creek and start felling trees,” Abigail concluded. “We need to start cutting that swath and breaking the ground up, turning the grass and pine beds under, getting rid of dead brush and the like. Making room over there for the tractors to pull breaking and chisel plows through there to create a break. Which reminds me,” she gave a weak grin. “Anyone knows where there's a working dozer or tractor, now is a great time to mention it. We need all the help we can get. A working fire truck would also be just dandy.”
Weak laughter answered her as people began to stir.
“Around here, around the farm proper I mean,” she clarified, “start raking away leaves. Move anything that will burn like that away from any and all structures. We can always grind them up, they make great fertilizer and compost material, but get it away from all the buildings.” She looked then at her grandfather.
“We need to think about moving the cattle,” she told him. “At least away from the creek. Fire scares animals. They may already be skittish.”
“I 'll see to it today,” Gordon promised, getting to his feet. “We don't have a lot of cattle back there at this point anyway because of the winter. We can get it done before dark assuming we don't run into any trouble.”
“The rest of us will split into teams and start felling trees,” Clay announced. “We've got saws and axes over in Building One. If you've got your own and want to use it we've got fuel and oil. Once we can get started we 'll start on tearing up the ground. Let’s get going.”
“I've got to get back to working on my rig,” Abigail said, gathering her gear together. “If we can get it running it will make things a lot easier for us.”
“Anything the rest of us can do to help?” Clay asked neutrally.
“Not unless you know where I can get an operating dozer big enough to push small trees aside and attach that plow to.”
“Sorry,” Clay shook his head. “I assume Ronny's dozer won't work?”
“It will help with the break but doesn't have the gear to attach the plow. It's a different model, and much too large to use between trees, plus the plow wouldn't attach without gear we don't have. We 'll do what we can to mine. I really thought I'd done something when I through to strip the gear off and save it, but apparently I didn't think far enough ahead.”
“But you did think that far,” Clay complimented her. “Good work. If you think of something we can do to help, call us. We 'll do whatever we can.”
“Will do.”
-
“You deal with it.”
Gordy looked at his uncle with a bewildered expression.
“Say what now?” the teen sought clarification.
“I said you deal with it,” Clay repeated. “Think of an appropriate solution and implement it. Make sure they can get to safety if the fire gets out of control but otherwise, whatever you want to do is fine. Just make sure it gets the point across.”
Gordy had brought the twins antics to his uncle's attention, expecting him to deal with it. Not dump it back in his lap.
“I'm serious,” Clay told him as he worked to attach the breaking plow to the tractor he would be operating. “I don't have time for that crap, and you're one of the people assigned to security today, so deal with it.”
“I should be helping with the break!” Gordy complained. “I can drive anything on this farm!”
“So can I and at least a dozen others,” Clay informed him. “You know the ranch, the people and the surrounding area. Three of your friends are already working or going to work on the break. Heath is with Jody in the Cupola. You and Kade are on Security with the others. Two of you will need to be roving. That can be you and pick either Doc or Thug to go with you. Make the rounds and keep an eye out. Deal with it, Gordy, I got shit to do.”
With that Clay climbed up on the idling tractor and pulled away, leaving his nephew staring after him.
“Deal with it, he says.”
-
“We have to what?”
The twins were back in unison, at least for their complaining. Gordy didn't care at this point, and didn't want to hear it.
“Get rakes and start clearing leaves and limbs away from the houses,” Gordy ordered. “Once finished with that, start with the barns. Clear all debris completely away from the buildings. Pile it high somewhere out of the way and we can run it through the grinder later. I doubt you 'll finish it today but if you do then we 'll find something else for you to do. Now go.”
“What will you be doing?” Leanne demanded.
“I'm assigned to roving security today, not that it concerns you,” he told her coldly. “You two need to grow up a little and here's your chance to do it. Now get a rake and get to work. Your arguing and childish antics already cost us enough time today. This is what you get when you can't be trusted with more important duties. Deal with it,” he punctuated his statement by stealing his uncle's line.
“Who put you in charge anyway?” Deuce asked, his face showing anger.
“Uncle Clay,” Gordy replied at once. “And I don't like it either,” he shot back. “I should be over there,” he pointed generally north, “helping with the berm. Instead I'm stuck babysitting. But I'm doing what I was told, like it or not. Now get your asses moving!” Wit
hout waiting for an answer, he turned to Janice Hardy and Jonathon Jackson.
“You two are on radio duty,” he told them flatly. “Keep a record of where everyone is and what they're doing. Make sure we don't lose anyone. And make damn sure you're here listening if someone calls you needing help or reporting a problem. Got it?”
“Got it,” the two nodded in unison and went to work organizing their work station. Three different radios set before them with another behind them. Citizen Band, GRMS, the private frequency that Clay's people used, including Gordy and his friends, and finally a HAM radio. The HAM had been nearly completely silent since the Storm, but there were several handhelds around the farm that had survived and were in use.
“We should be-” the twins started only to be cut off by their cousin.
“-doing what you're told,” he finished for them. “That's what you should be doing. Why are you still here?” he demanded. “GO!”
Reluctance showing in every step, they went.
“Good grief,” Gordy sighed. “No wonder Clay's always in a bad mood.”
CHAPTER TEN
-
“Your sister said we needed a fire truck.”
Gordy looked at Kade and nodded. Kade was riding with Gordy on security while Mitchell Nolan and Tandi Maseo was working to organize the evacuation.
“So, she did,” Gordy agreed. “Know where we can get one?”
“I might,” Kade surprised him so much that Gordy had to slow down and stop so he could stare at his friend.
“Seriously?”
“Maybe,” Kade nodded again. “Your great granddad, he warned the fire departments about the Storm I heard. That right?”
“Yeah,” Gordy nodded. “Them, the ambulance service and the Sheriff's Office. They were supposed to protect their equipment.”
“Well, if they did, then I might know where there's one little truck at.”
“And just where would that be?” Gordy asked.
“Between here and Jordan, other side of the Interstate,” Kade told him. “There's a satellite station there with one truck, what they call a first responder truck with a small tank and a pump on it. It's not as good as a real fire engine maybe, but I reckon beggars can't really be choosy, now, can they?” Kade asked.
