I have not posted much since Steve Deshazer died, but ..
Steve's death hit me hard. I'm working up a photo-tribute to Steve from what he best liked in the past (and Steve DID love all photos of Nick-Nick). That takes time, especially since the DU archives have changed. I'm working on it. It won't be completed until I get some quiet time at my mountain place in the Carolinas - after fire season in Oregon.
Meanwhile, I have ignored DU. Not on purpose. I have had fire news that I just could not pass on due to other constraints. This season is very short on number of fires, but we have had bigger, hard-to-manage, fires. We have not had lightning in the Deschutes NF in over five weeks, but we have had idiots. IFPL 3, RISK 1. Not a good combo with staffing level = EXTREME.
Let's look at a few pics from the last month, or so:
Lava Fire blow-up on July 25
Horse Butte range fire
Neil Armstrong Moon (had to include this)
Pole Creek fire last Sunday evening (Growing every day)
And, finally, how to keep wildland fires small:
Yesterday (9-13) I spotted this, called it in, and three fire trucks plus a helicopter responded. INITIAL ATTACK!
We - WE! - kept this potentially bad fire to < .25 acres.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I've lost 3 grandprents in two years still struggling here
You should all be very proud! 
but I had the distinct pleasure of sharing pints with Steve a few times. He had such a big heart.
and I think of you every time a new fire pops up, you're one of the heroes that 'keep us safe' 
Big family indeed 
