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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA sad day in Idaho ..
What an extraordinarily sad day this was: 1. I learned that both pilots in yesterdays crash of the Chinook helicopter fighting our Moose fire have died; 2. I turned in my Yale key and radio gear ; 3. I signed my resignation letter from the US Forest Service, and; 4. I ended my career as a fire lookout.
But the helicopter crash, and the deaths of two heroic pilots, eclipse everything else. These pilots were doing very dangerous work fighting a fire that did not have to happen. The Moose fire was human caused. It was started by an abandoned campfire.
The Moose fire will continue to inflict mayhem .. maybe worse. Because of selfish jerks and their campfire.
Due to the terms of my resignation, Ill be around Challis for a few more days. Then, Ill probably take a more direct route home to SC than previously described. The wind is out of my sails.
Challis, Idaho
July 22, 2022
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Shrike47
(6,913 posts)sprinkleeninow
(20,268 posts)blm
(113,110 posts)So sorry to hear this
Diamond_Dog
(32,118 posts)elleng
(131,199 posts)We'll ALWAYS think of you doing your great work, and providing us all with great pics.
Nevilledog
(51,219 posts)Solly Mack
(90,792 posts)Irish_Dem
(47,518 posts)But then two deaths of pilots in a related line of work is really hard.
Yes, a very sad and difficult day for you.
Sending you some good vibes.
niyad
(113,615 posts)images you have shared with us over the years.
Have a safe journey home. Be well and happy in this new chapter of your life.
Hekate
(90,865 posts)Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.
Condolences to the families of those heroes.
brer cat
(24,625 posts)I hope you find happiness in the next stage of your life.
alwaysinasnit
(5,075 posts)Kid Berwyn
(14,992 posts)Losing two firefighting pilots in a fire that didnt have to happen hurts and hurts us all.
Thank you for all youve done for the country, Demo Tex, in Idaho and who knows where else around the world.
Enter stage left
(3,400 posts)I was a RE Broker for 25 years...it was difficult to leave that life, but I retired, bought a new RV and have traveled from coast to coast across Canada & the U.S.
You'll find new horizons, but whatever you do, PLEASE do not quit posting your wonderful photos of what you see through your artists eyes. I've never tired of seeing your shots, and will miss the shots you took from your lookout.
You have a unique talent and an incredible eye for memorable photographs. I beg you, please keep us updated with your health problems (may they go away quickly)..but even more so with you beautiful camera shots.
panader0
(25,816 posts)And mad, like you, about an abandoned, unextinguished campfire.
Some years back we had the Monument fire here in the Southern Az Huachuca Mts.
Again, human caused. I think it was about 60,000 acres.
I have long envied you for your job--I would love it, and for your art with a camera.
I can only imagine the emotion of resigning after so many look outs and friends made.
Come down and visit the Huachucas sometime.
Fond memories, Desolation Angel.
P.S. don't stop posting your photos and/or posting your older stuff--always so good.
CrispyQ
(36,540 posts)So terribly sorry for the loss of your colleagues.
royable
(1,266 posts)and so sorry for your health situation necessitating difficult decisions.
Thank you so much for the tales you've told and the beauty you've shared here on DU over the years. I hope you'll continue to post your gorgeous images--if not from wild and rocky lookouts, perhaps from Gulf coast bayous.
I've always held a special place in my heart for fire towers, since they were often a destination of treasured day hikes with my father when I was little. They were often historic, they offered a vista above the encircling forest to the vast green lands beyond, and they held the mystique of being a temporary home for sentries and guardians and heroes.
Good to have met you briefly several years ago at the Mt. Lemmon Lookout. I so enjoyed the segment the local PBS affiliate made about you and your work and photography. It was a work of art.
Best wishes to you!
mountain grammy
(26,658 posts)sorry it ended on such a sad day.. Safe travels to you.
purr-rat beauty
(543 posts)I am sorry this tragedy has happened and lives and beautiful landscape have been lost.
Thank you for being a lookout for the land
flying_wahini
(6,667 posts)Cant say I blame you. Just sad for all the heartache. I know you will miss it.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)If my memory is correct your resignation was in part due to some health challenges that have created discomfort and limited mobility.
Hope your next stage allows you to recuperate and get your wind back.
TygrBright
(20,773 posts)2naSalit
(86,842 posts)Having had my time with USFS cut far too short due, mostly to my physical issues, and feeling defeated.
And the two pilots, my frmr smokejumper pal told me about that this morning, it impacts everyone who's ever been involved in fire fighting in any position.
MontanaMama
(23,355 posts)Im so so so sorry for the loss of these pilots and the end of your career with the Forest Service.
As the child of a career USFS employee
fire season is a weird and scary time. Even after my dad retired, he drove a helitac support unit for a private contractor. Wild land firefighting is in the blood and it never left him until he died.
Im holding you in my thoughts during these hard days. Thank you for your work protecting lives and homes.
Joinfortmill
(14,481 posts)Kali
(55,026 posts)take care
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,737 posts)My deepest condolences on the deaths of those two brave pilots. How heartbreaking for all involved.
And for you to resign from the US Forest Service on that same day! And to end your fire lookout career too. Very tough for you, dear Bo.
Please take care of yourself. Rest and be well.
for the pilots
fierywoman
(7,697 posts)Crunchy Frog
(26,680 posts)calimary
(81,527 posts)selfish jerks and their campfire. That was just the latest offense.
I'm sorry Idaho is losing you. Fire lookouts serve us all, AND all creatures great and small. You're a blessing and an absolute necessity, and probably more often than you know, preventers of bigger disasters. Thank God they're there!!! And Thank God YOU were, too!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this VITAL service you performed, Bo Zarts! You made a difference, whether you realize it or not. This was IMMENSE and INTENSE, life-saving and life-sustaining work you did. It's DEEPLY appreciated.
Haggard Celine
(16,860 posts)to hear about the end of your career, your health problems, and the loss of the pilots. I hope you're able to find rejuvenation at home and that you have even more happiness and success with future endeavors. Rest up and come back stronger!
Traildogbob
(8,834 posts)For you. Our Forest Management program at my college trained Wildland firefighters. Very many came there just to fight fires. They became County Rangers with the states and with the Feds worked with USFF, BLM and NPS. Many took the next step to become Hot Shots and 2 during my tenure became Smoke Jumpers. We have lost a few from my time and it is horrible. Storm King Mtn, Granite Mtn broke my heart and others over the last 35 years hit close to home. The Story of Man Gulch was so horrible. I know how hard it is to get those jobs and the passion they had to do so. To have to walk away because of your reasons is terrible. Thank you for your service to our wildlands. And to all that have lost their lives doing so, my respect and love. RIP. Best wishes to you. So sorry. Idiots will never know what they have done, and I will just not say my thoughts about arsonist terrorist that try to burn out forest for some sick thrill.
Be safe, be at peace with your decision. So much respect to you.
enough
(13,264 posts)HAB911
(8,922 posts)your photography will be missed. all the best to you!
KatyaR
(3,447 posts)I know you loved this work. Wishing you all the best in the days to come.
3Hotdogs
(12,439 posts)Going back next year. The experience means much to you and is a valuable contribution.
I hope you do go back in memory of those pilots and other Forest service people who served.
BlueIdaho
(13,582 posts)I want to thank you for all you have done for my state. I would also like to send you my heartfelt sympathies in this difficult time.
TeamProg
(6,291 posts)They sit on their hands until the fire is way too big.
littlemissmartypants
(22,839 posts)Unwind Your Mind
(2,042 posts)She posted about the lost firefighters too.
Im worried about them, they dont seem to be seasoned wild fire survivors just yet. Its been since last night that I heard any news. So, I sit here fussing 😕
Thank you for your perspective
momta
(4,079 posts)"selfish jerks and their campfire".
We were evacuated for a week, and I was convinced that we would have no home to come back to. We watched the flames draw within a few hundred yards of our house as we drove away.
The firefighters were amazing, heroic, incredible...there aren't enough superlatives to describe them.
Eight homes (though not ours, thankfully) were lost, and at least one beloved family dog that was home when his mom and dad, both volunteers, were fighting the fire that took him along with their home and all of their belongings.
The two selfish jerks had been camping illegally on private property. They left their campfire unattended in the hot, dry wind. Absolute morons.
Thank you for your years of service, Bo Zarts. You are most appreciated, as are the two pilots who were so tragically taken.
marieo1
(1,402 posts)I worked as a dispatcher during fire season for many years.......fighting fires is an extremely dangerous job, firefighters save many lives but there is always a risk.
TdeV
(159 posts)I've been appreciating your photo posts for years.
Also very sorry for your sadness.
Thank you.
SaveOurDemocracy
(4,400 posts)We've enjoyed following you to the different locations, hearing the stories, marveling at the wonderful photos you've captured. Thank you for letting us ride along.
I remember, in earlier years, you had a dog who used to accompany you to your stations. If you don't have a dog friend at this time perhaps a rescue would help as you transition to your next chapter.
Many blessings on you for the work you've done these many years.
brewens
(13,631 posts)That might be something to promote good campers doing. Good campers shouldn't object. But for fucks sake, don't let it be a guvmint proposal! LOL That would never fly.
It seems like every year there are at least posts about slobs trashing campsites that might be identified that way.
Evolve Dammit
(16,781 posts)Demovictory9
(32,482 posts)area51
(11,929 posts)As others have mentioned upthread, I hope you'll still stay in the DU community.