Ground Pounders, Observations & Translations of Firefighters

Supervisor Donaldson , head ground pounder, pointing to a fire break being bulldozed on the top of both ridges on the left. He does a good job of explaning fire fighting to a media nerd. I’m sure he would rather be dealing with a tanker kitten. See translations below.

This scene is looking south over Poma Ranch. Editor

Ground Pounders At Work by Stacy Boone

On occasion the time calls for something out of the ordinary. And, well because we don’t know how many people really read any of these quips from someone who enjoys spending as much of their time as possible outside, it is difficult to determine when an article will bring a bellyful of laughter or hate mail. Please, don’t send hate mail.

Tension is palpable for some – they’ve grown tired of the smoke and haze. Temperatures have been blasted hot and rain … well, we are waiting for rain. Yet, there is still so much to do in this town of ours. I love the blue tubes floating lazily down the river. Toby and his crew from Pagosa Outside are busy traveling up and down the road dropping happy visitors into the San Juan River. Willie and his crew at Crazy Horse Outfitters and Guides is wrangling the horses up for pack trips. If you want to relax with homemade bread or dessert the Pagosa Baking Company with its outdoor seating is an optimal choice. There is so much fun to be had in Pagosa Springs. Hike, bike, horse pack, tube, eat, attend the festivals and shop. What a great way to spend many days!

What are these guys called?

Pagosans can show and teach you everything there is to know about living in some of the most spectacular country imaginable. Sure, it is “Refreshingly Authentic,” has “The most snow in Colorado,” yes, it is “Your Business. Your Life. This Backyard.” Sure, it is a fabulous place to “Write your own fishing stories,” and “Restore your sense of fun.” Whew, that is a lot to do in a community of just a couple of thousand.

While you can do all of these things … there is one thing I haven’t seen on any list. It would be a huge disservice to the forest service personnel that have so dominated the state if we did not take this opportunity to share with you some formal and informal fire terms. Seriously, take a peek if a gal pal, “Nice scenery.” Sure, it could be the mountains that bejewel our community but it could be a pair of green pants with fire boots.

To ensure that you are up to date here are a few things I most recently learned from John N. Maclean and his second literary work, Fire and Ashes (available at the library).

· Another pair of shoes for baby: a new fire assignment

· Bambi bucket: a collapsible bucket used to dip water for fire suppression and slung below a helicopter

· Bowling for hotshots: rock and debris rolling down hills

· Burning period: the part of each 24-hour period when fires spread most rapidly, typically from 10 am to sundown

· Coyote tactics: crews resting and sleeping at or near the fire

· Dopes on ropes: firefighters who drop on ropes from helicopters to attack flames

· Earthpig: hotshot

· Firebreak: a barrier, natural or constructed, used as a control line from which to work

· Ground pounder: firefighter on a hand crew

· Hooters: Forest Service firefighters paid to look for spotted owls, an endangered species

· Lawn darts: smoke jumpers

· Pavement queen: a fire engine that must remain on pavement

· Shake and bake: a fire shelter

· Tanker kitten: cute girl who works on an engine

· Touron: a cross between a tourist and a moron

· Wildland-urban interface: the line, area or zone where structures and other human development intermingle with wildlands; also called the red zone

Now that you are more knowledgeable on the vocabulary, thank the forest service personnel who are smoke smelling, soot covered , donning their favorite colors of green and yellow and downing down another cup of hot coffee. Then, go into the grocery store and buy them a case of Gatorade or a box of Twinkies. Your gesture will go a long way.

WHAT'S THIS? DIDN'T KNOW THERE WOULD BE A TEST DID YOU?

About Step Outdoors, LLC

Step Outdoors wants you to go outside and we lead individually inspired one foot in front of the other adventure pursuits to get you there. We tailor a first time overnight backpack or a more challenging multi-day hiking adventure just for you. All adventures take into consideration your goals, fitness and experience level. Perfect for mothers and daughters, couples, families, co-workers or a group of friends, we provide a 100% guarantee of fun.

Check out our blog at http://stepoutdoorscolorado.com/blog/. Or send us an email at info@stepoutdoorscolorado.com.