[pct-l] pct-l] update: Chips Fire explodes

[Clifford McDonald]

I believe that I read in a newspaper account that the fire started at 2am.
It would seem that whoever might have started the camp fire went to sleep
earlier without putting it completely out, awoke later when the fire may
have been out of control, and left in a hurry in the middle of the night. I
wouldn't be surprised if they left in such a hurry, and in the dark that
they left behind many clues as to who they may have been.

 

From: Colleen Osland [mailto:colleenko at sbcglobal.net] 
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 12:55 PM
To: Clifford McDonald; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] pct-l] update: Chips Fire explodes

 

What if they are oblivious to even starting this fire and they continue to
do so?

 

 

  _____  

From: Clifford McDonald <clifmcdon at comcast.net>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Fri, August 3, 2012 9:45:25 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] pct-l] update: Chips Fire explodes

It would appear to me that fuel canisters are even heavier if you carry them
but don't use them.
How difficult might it be for the Forest Service to track which hikers may
have been on that section the trail on the day and time the fire started
(2am on Sunday) who may have been responsible? 

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of goslowgofar
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 12:29 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] pct-l] update: Chips Fire explodes

 When I hiked from Belden to Old Station in early July, I met some folks at
the Williams cabin site who built a fire in the large fire pit there to cook
their dinner.  They said they did it whenever they could in order to save
stove fuel - since fuel canisters are heavy. They hiked on after eating and
I made sure the fire was out before I went to sleep.  I wonder if using a
wood fire to save fuel is a common practice by thrus?
Katy
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I find it astounding that people build fires while hiking the PCT in any but
extreme emergency cold/wet conditions.  To me this shows a combination of
cluelessness, lack of common sense and selfishness.

Leave no trace hiking sets a high standard.  It's easier and easier to hike
the trail with all the different written and online guides and proliferation
of people offering support.  That doesn't mean principled hiking gives over
to a slacker mentality.

No one is ignorant out there about the potential destructiveness of fires.
Why not be rational and act on this knowledge?  I just don't get it...

Jeffrey Olson
Rapid, City, SD 


GoSlowGoFar
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