2013 Annual Field Fire April 4 & 6, 2013
Spring was quite a bit later than last year. At least it seemed that way - although some folks have pointed out that this years winter was more "normal" so spring weather was about on schedule.
The first week in April was the "window" we were looking for to burn the fields. The snow needs to be gone, and you need a few days of sunny, breezy weather to get stuff really good and dry - perfect conditions for us pyrotechnic experts (aka "firebugs"). If you wait too long, green shoots of grass start growing and it won't burn. Remember... we are professionals - don't try this at your home (teeheehee). I carry my handheld ham radio continuously scanning all the fire frequencies and a cell phone to call the comm center if I need to. ( to call off the fire company if they are called out - not to assist if things get out of hand - com'on, we're professionals remember!!) Karen and Mom had gone out to Aunt Janet's in Cleveland to help with a garage/yard sale so Mom's not being around was all the better for git'n-r-done. I started Thursday evening April 4 with the field behind Mom's house. The wind was blowing from the east and south-east which is helpful for keeping the fire from blowing into Dr. Marones woods. At the peak of the main burn, a strong gust of wind caused the fire to jump the path Mom mows and get the next section on fire - not a problem but kept the fire going later into the evening than I preferred. Donna saw the blaze from their house and came over with Kurt and the kids to make sure everything was OK. I didn't have my camera so I don't have any pictures of this section. Saturday April 6 started out cold with temps in the mid-20's and a chilly breeze from the north. Although it was sunny, it was cold! I waited until almost 11AM before getting things together and driving up on the hill with the tractor. There was still a breeze out of the NNE occasionally turning to the NW. I started burning the "guard bands" along McGraw's field. These guard bands are areas of grass between the main section of the field and the edge. They are separated by a path that we keep mowed with our lawn mowers. In addition to creating the guard bands the mowed paths are nice places to walk throughout the year. These "guard bands" are one of the main ways we keep things under control when we set off the main area. The huge wall of flame that develops when we light off the main section is often spectacularly awesome (can I use those words together??) especially with a bit of wind. But when this otherwise dangerous roaring wall of fire gets to the guard bands it just stops - poof, all gone. Alissa came over and helped with the guard bands up on the hill. When we got most of them done we were seeing the wind occasionally switch to the SW so we decided to do the field out the road while there was some north wind still blowing. Out the road there are no guard bands but we start a fire along the woods to the north - this is why a north wind is helpful for keeping the fire from spreading into the woods. Hay fields on the east & west and the road to the south pretty much keep the fire from going anywhere else. Alissa & Ben started the fire along the road and the breeze switched to the southwest and took it across the field. We all stopped for dinner and after, Cynthia joined us and we did the big area back on top of the hill. Yes, it was spectacularly awesome ( I like that word combination) and yes, it was over in about 15-20 minutes. Afternoon was fading into evening and the wind was now starting to switch to the south and occasionally southeast. I was tired but wanting to get-r-done I started on the orchard field just above our house. Most everyone else found other things to do. Other than melting the plastic wrap on a couple of bales of hay ( I really tried not to but a wind gust flared up the fire) everything went smoothly. The fire kept wanting to work its way into the hayfield toward Mom's but it was easily put out. We were done about sundown and shortly after, Mom & Karen arrived back from their trip to Cleveland. Surprise, surprise!! Added some pictures taken 2 weeks later. The fresh green growth is amazing! |
Top of the hill - "Guard bands"Out the roadTop of the hill - The BIG sectionOrchard above Lee & Tammys
2 Weeks Later
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