Fighting fires in California

Kelsey Weiss of Imperial has done his part in fighting one of multiple wildfires in California. The Imperial resident returned Sept. 20 from fighting the Creek Fire north of Fresno.
    One of the largest fires in California history began Sept. 4 and as of Monday was 50 percent contained.
    Weiss worked alongside two other employees of Lite Em Up Custom Burning Inc. of Seward. The company contracts with the California Forest Service to provide on-the-ground support in fighting fires.
    The Creek Fire is burning in a “pretty mountainous” area at an altitude of 8,500-9,000 feet, Weiss said, so “when we had to hike I was a little winded.”
    As soon as his crew arrived at the area Sept. 13 it was put to work helping hold the fire line so the fire wouldn’t jump a road. After a third day of performing that duty, Weiss helped run a hose to water down that line.
    “Then it got dicey.” There were a few little fires. “We got them put out, then there were spot fires everywhere” from embers blowing in the wind. “We got the spot fires put out, then you’d have two more behind you.”
    Weiss eventually was called back to a truck and transported to a safety zone, in this case a green meadow.
    Weiss said that when fighting a fire he doesn’t really have time to be afraid. “You’re so focused on the job you have to do,” he noted. “When you panic things go down hill.”
    For two days Weiss was on an engine crew, and then spent five days on a hand crew, which prepped a fire line back to the burn., or kept the fire from jumping a fire line or a road.
    A typical day lasts about 14 hours for a firefighter. When not actively working, the crews camped on top of a hill, nowhere near the command post, Weiss said.
    Breakfast was cooked for the firefighters, they were given sack lunches, and then dinner was prepared for them.
    The firefighters all hold “Red Cards,” or certification to fight fires on federal land. Weiss has fought fires in the Pedro Mountains south of Casper, Wyoming and in Salida, Colorado. This year he was also deployed to the Grizzly Creek fire near Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
    Weiss said fighting fires is something he’s always wanted to do. He joined the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department March 15, 2004 when he returned to Imperial following college.
    When a Red Card certification class was offered Weiss took it, then looked for a company he could join. He is paid to fight fires with Lite Em Up.
    Weiss is employed by Troxells Heating & Appliance of Imperial. “I’m pretty fortunate they let me do something I’ve always wanted to do,” he commented.
    Sons Braxtyn, 8, and Preston, 6, take his Red Card firefighting in stride, Weiss said. Wife Kym and mother Janet Schrotberger “kind of don’t like what the consequences could be, especially if I don’t call them for a few days” because of spotty cell phone service.
    But Weiss likes being able to help other people with his special firefighting skills. “I really enjoy it.”