VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSON'S FOUNDATION.

HUELL>> OH, WOW, THIS IS SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

HELLO EVERYBODY, I'M HUGH HEWITT.

TELL US EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING TO US HERE.

WHAT ARE WE EXPERIENCING?

>> WE HAVE OUR CAMP CRUZ IN HERE.

THEY ARE TEACHING THESE FOLKS, THESE INMATES, HOW TO FIGHT THE BRUSH FIRES UNDER A CONTROLLED SITUATION.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPERVISION HERE.

THEY ARE LEARNING TO CUT A TRAIL HERE TO CUT THE FIRE OFF.

HUELL>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IS TRAINING ON HOW TO FIGHT BRUSH FIRES IS THIS SOMETHING THE L.A. COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT DOES ON A REGULAR BASIS?

>> EVERY SPRING AND WINTER TIME WE WORK WITH OUR CREWS TO DO BURN TRAINING AND MITIGATING IN THE AREA.

WE ARE TEACHING THEM HOW THE REAL FIRE WORKS.

HUELL>> THIS IS AMAZING IT'S ABOUT 10:30 TUESDAY MORNING.

IT'S STILL OVERCASTED AND COOL.

WE THOUGHT THIS WOULDN'T BURN VERY, YOU KNOW, A WHOLE LOT.

THERE'S A LOT OF HEAT AND FLAME COMING FROM THIS FIRE.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

WE CONSIDER THIS A SMALL FIRE.

THIS ISN'T MOVING THAT FAST FOR THESE CAMP CRUZ TO WORK WITH.

NORMLY IN THE LATE FALL AND SUMMER TEMPERATURES THE FIRE MOVES FASTER THEN IT IS TODAY.

HUELL>> LOOK HOW FAST IT'S MOVING OVER HERE.

CAN WE MOVE OVER HERE?

>> SURE CAN.

HUELL>> THESE ARE WOMEN FROM A STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION THAT ARE OUT HERE.

YOU USE A LOT OF INMATES TO HELP YOU FIGHT FIRES.

>> MANY OF OUR CAMP CRUZ INCLUDE STATE INMATES AND CAMP CRUZ.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET OUT OF THE FACILITY AND LEARN A VALUABLE SKILL.

HUELL>> CAN YOU TELL WHERE THE FIRE IS GOING TO GO?

>> BASICALLY YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WIND AND THE TYPE OF FUEL IT WILL BASICALLY MOVE IN THIS PATH.

THEY CUT A DOZER LINE HERE WHERE IT COMES RIGHT UP TO HERE WHERE THE BREAK IS.

THE FIRE WILL PRETTY MUCH LAY DOWN HERE AT THIS POINT.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN THIS CLOSE TO A FIRE LIKE THIS.

THIS IS OVERWHELMING, LOOK AT THIS.

>> YOU HEAR THE NOISE.

FIRE CREATES AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF NOISE AND HEAT.

YOU CAN FEEL THE HEAT.

HUELL>> MY GOD.

LADIES WHAT D YOU THINK ABOUT THIS FIRE THIS MORNING?

>> LOVE IT.

>> LOVE IT.

HUELL>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> IT'S INTENSE, WE'RE INTENSE.

HUELL>> HAVE YOU FOUGHT FIRES BEFORE?

>> NO.

HUELL>> IT'S THE FIRST TIME.

>> FIRST TIME.

HUELL>> YOU ARE HERE TO DO TRAINING.

>> YEP.

HUELL>> THIS IS THE FOREMAN.

>> YES, SIR.

HUELL>> WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING THEM THIS MORNING.

>> SAFETY, GRASS FIRE TACTICS.

KEEPING TOGETHER THE TEAM.

YES, SIR?

HUELL>> GOT TO GET OUT OF THE SMOKE.

YOU ARE OUT OF BREATH.

>> OH.

HUELL>> HA, HA FRMENT >> YES, JUST A LITTLE BIT.

HUELL>> NOW, THIS WAS JUST THE FIRST BURN.

THIS WASN'T EVEN A BIG BURN, WAS IT?

>> NOT AT ALL.

IT WAS TYPICAL OF A GRASS FIRE ONLY SMALLER.

THE CONDITIONS ARE NOW THAT THE FIRE DOESN'T BURN FAST OR VERY HOT.

IT'S A TRAINING EXERCISE.

ALL WINTER WE CUT WET GRASS AND BRUSH AND NOW WE SEE SOME REAL FIRE.

WE ARE BRAK ADVERTISING OUR CONDITIONING, OUR ABILITY TO WORK NEAR THE FIRE AND THE SMOKE.

HUELL>> YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS?

>> LOVE IT.

THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB.

OUR CREW DID AN EXCELLENT JOB.

HUELL>> YOU HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE?

>> I HAVE NEVER DONE A DRILL LIKE THIS.

BUT I'VE HOTLINED AND BEEN ON A FEW BIG FIRES.

HUELL>> HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE, I WAS OVERWHELMED ON HOW HOT IT WAS?

>> YOU HAVE TO TELL YOURSELF IT WON'T LAST FOREVER.

HUELL>> HOPEFULLY IT WON'T YOU ARE HERE TO PUT IT OUT.

>> EXACTLY.

WE PUT IT OUT AS QUICK AS WE CAN.

HUELL>> OH, MY GOSH.

OH... OH, WOW.

YOU KNOW, IT'S AMAZING HOW QUICKLY THIS, THIS STARTS ON FIRE.

>> YES.

THIS, IT'S BURNING PRETTY SLOW TODAY.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF HEAT.

YOU MAY WANT TO STAND... HUELL>> I'M ON THE WRONG SIDE.

>> PROBABLY IN FOUR TO SIX WEEKS WHEN WE HAVE HEAT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO STAND THIS CLOSE.

WILL PUT UP A LOT FIRE.

>> CAN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EXPECT A LOT THIS, THIS YEAR?

>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHETHER THE HEAT COMES IN AND DRIES THE FIELDS OUT OR WHETHER OLE NEEN OWE KEEPS IN MOIST.

SOMETIMES OUR BEST FIRE SEASONS ARE AFTER EL NINO.

HUELL>> LOOK AT THIS.

YOU CAN FEEL THE HEAT HERE.

I'M COMING OVER THERE WITH YOU.

>> WHAT I'M GOING TO DO NOW IS PUT A LITTLE UP.

THIS WILL FEED THE OTHER FUEL.

HUELL>> LOUIE, LOOK OVER HERE.

HERE COME THE WOMEN.

THEY'RE GOING TO WORK OVER HERE.

NOW, WHAT ARE THEY DOING RIGHT NOW.

WHAT'S THE METHOD TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING?

>> THEY ARE PUTTING IN A LINE TO SEPARATE THE FUEL FROM THE FIRE.

AS IT GETS A LITTLE HOTTER THEY BACK AWAY, MAYBE A FOOT, THREE OR FOUR FEET.

WE TRY TO KEEP CLOSE TO THE BURN.

THE FURTHER WE GET AWAY THE MORE OF A CHANCE OF A BIGGER FIRE.

>> THEY ARE BUILDING A FIRE LINE?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT'S CALLED A SCRATCH LINE TO CHECK THE SPREAD OF THE FIRE.

HUELL>> LOOK AT THIS: HUELL>> NOW, THIS IS HARD WORK, ISN'T IT?

>> YES, SIR.

PUSH MUSH HUELL>> HOW DO THEY KEEP THAT UP FOR HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS AT A TIME?

>> YOU HAVE TO PACE THEM F. THIS IS JUST A SHORT FIRE YOU CAN GIVE IT A LICK AND KNOCK IT OUT QUICK.

IF IT'S A LONG FIRE YOU HAVE TO PACE THE WORKERS AND MAKE SURE THEY DON'T FALLOUT ON YOU.

HUELL>> YES, BECAUSE THE HEAT ALONE CAN GET TO YOU.

THE HEAT PLUS THE FISCAL EX ERTION TEARS THE BODY UP.

LOUIE, LOOK THIS WAY...

BOY, THERE'S A LOT OF ENERGY HERE.

>> YES A LOT OF RADIATED HEAT.

HUELL>> IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL IT?

>> YES.

IF YOU GET INSIDE THE BLACK IT'S HOTTER.

HUELL>> REALLY.

HOW IS IT FOR ONE OF THESE THINGS TO GET AWAY FROM YOU?

>> ALL IT TAKES IS A LIMB WIND OR A RESPONSE FIRE WHERE IT BENDS OVER BEHIND YOU AND IT CAN SPOT BEHIND YOU EASILY.

HUELL>> WOW.

HUELL>> WHAT DID YOU JUST TELL THEM?

>> STAY IN PLACE AND WORK ON YOUR LINE.

HUELL>> YA.

HOW DID YOU KNOW TO TELL THEM TO DO THAT?

>> -- HUELL>> THAT'S THE ORDER YOU GOT FROM THE FOREMAN?

>> RIGHT.

>> NOW THIS SMOKE IS BEGIN TO GO COME IN ON US NOW, TOO.

HUELL>> OH, MY GOSH.

(CRACKLING FIRE).

>> TIE INTO THE ROPE.

HUELL>> HERE COMES THE SMOKE.

THIS IS WHERE YOU HAVE TO LOOK FOR SPOTS BEHIND YOU.

HUELL>> WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THE WIND SHIFTED AND CAME OVER THE TOP OF US.

HUELL>> SO, REALLY THE WIND IS AS IMPORTANT AS ANYTHING IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS?

>> YES.

HUELL>> YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE WIND?

>> NO.

THAT'S WHY YOU NEED LOOK OUTS.

AND PROTECT YOUR BACK SIDE.

HUELL>> IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE THIS ONE UNDER CONTROL, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> HERE'S THE LINE RIGHT HERE, LOUIE LOOK AT THIS.

HERE'S THE LINE RIGHT HERE, THEY STOPPED THE FIRE.

HOW MUCH TRAINING WILL THESE WOMEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH BEFORE YOU FEEL CONFIDENT SENDING THEM INTO A BIG FIRE?

>> THEY ARE TRIED NOW.

WHEN THEY ARE IN THE COUNTY SYSTEM THEY HAVE THEIR TRAINING.

WE'RE REINFORCING THE TRAINING AND GETTING THEM USE TO THE ENVIRONMENT THEY ARE INVOLVED IN.

THE HEAT AND THE SMOKE.

YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

HUELL>> YA.

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> IT WAS PRETTY HOT.

IT WAS PRETTY HOT.

THE SMOKE STARTED COMING RIGHT IN MY FACE AND I HAD TO TURN AROUND AND FACE THE BACK, BUT WE CAUGHT IT.

HUELL>> IT'S EXHILARATING BUT SERIOUS TOO, ISN'T IT?

>> YES VERY MUCH SERIOUSLY.

HUELL>> THEY TEACH TO YOU HAVE RESPECT FOR THIS FIRE.

>> OH, YA.

DEFINITELY.

HUELL>> YOU HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY?

>> IS THATS THAT.

WHEN YOU ARE WITH A TRUE IT'S A TEAM THING.

IT'S A TEAM.

>> TEAM.

TEAM PLAYERS ALL OF US.

HUELL>> NOW, THAFRS JUST A LITTLE FIRE.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

EVEN ON A BIG FIRE IT'S THE SAME CONCEPT.

TEAM.

WE WORK AS ONE AND WE COME OUT AS SAFE.

HUELL>> THIS IS SOMETHING YOU VOLUNTEER TO DO RIGHT?

>> YES IT IS.

HUELL>> WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> I VOLUNTEER IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO LEARN SKILLS AND GET EXPERIENCE SO WHEN WE GO HOME WE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO TRY TO WE DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK TO A PLACE LIKE THIS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK AS AN INMATE ANYWAYS, WE CAN COME BACK AS A FREE WORLD.

AND WE GIVE BACK.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THIS LATER ON IN LIFE?

>> YES.

HUELL>> I THINK WE HAVE NEW FIRE FIGHTERSILES FROM OUR ORIGINAL BURN AREA.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

>> WE HAVE A HELICOPTER COMING INTO THE LAND OING ZONE NOW TO PICK US UP TO GO TO ANOTHER FIRE.

>> YOU HAVE FOUGHT THE FIRE TODAY AND NOW GO BACK WHERE?

>> LOAD ONTO THE HELL KOPTER AND GO TO THE BASE CAMP.

HUELL>> HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT?

>> WELL, IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE FIRE WEATHER OF THE DAY AND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE HEATING AND COOLING OF THE EARTH AND ALL THAT STUFF?

HUELL>> ARE THESE GUYS TIRED RIGHT NOW?

>> NO.

WE'RE READY TO ROCK AND ROLL.

WE'LL GO ALL DAY AND NIGHT.

>> HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE BEFORE YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM A BREAK?

>> THAT'S MY JOB.

I HAVE TO WATCH HOW THEY ARE PERFORMING.

IF THEY ARE STARTING TO SLOW DOWN WE TAKE A WATER BREAK AND COOL DOWN AND GET BACK ON IT AGAIN.

I HAVE TO GET WITH MY CREW.

>> THIS IS PART OF THE TRAINING GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE HELICOPTER?

>> YES.

I HAVE TO GET WITH MY CREW.

>> WHY IS THIS DANGEROUS?

>> ANYTIME WE ARE WORKING WITH AIRCRAFT THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE THAT SOMETHING CAN GO WRONG.

IT'S UNEVEN GROUND.

OUR GUYS HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOWN LOW.

THE HELICOPTER CAN PICKUP WROKZ AND DEBRIS.

THEY PUT THEIR HEADS DOWN AND WEAR THEIR SAFETY GEAR.

HUELL>> SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE PRACTICING RIGHT NOW?

GETTING IN AND OUT OF A HELICOPTER?

>> YES.

YOU NOTICE THE CREWS HAVE COLORED HELMETS.

WHITE ARE THE CREW FOREMAN.

THE RED ARE THE CREW MEMBERS.

ON THIS CREW WE HAVE A TRAINEE.

A NEW SUPERVISOR, FOREMAN THAT'S WORKING TODAY.

SO WE'RE PRACTICING GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE HELICOPTER.

HUELL>> HOW MANY HELICOPTERS DOES THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE AT IT'S DISPOSAL?

>> EIGHT AND WE HAVE CONTRACT HELICOPTERS DURING THE FIRE SEASON.

HUELL>> SO THEY CAN ALL GET IN THE HELICOPTER?

>> YES.

WE RUN A MINIMUM OF SIX ON A CREW UP TO ELEVEN OR TWELVE.

DEPENDING ON HOW HOT IT IS AND THE FUEL ON BOARD.

IN THE MORNING THEY WEIGHT ALL OF THE GUYS AND THE GEAR.

MAKE SURE THEY ARE WITHIN THE LIMITS SO WE DON'T TRY STO LIMIT THE HELICOPTER UP THAT'S OVER WEIGHT.

HUELL>> WHAT'S AMAZE TO GO ME IS ALL WE HAVE SEEN OUT HERE TODAY HAS A LOT OF ENERGY ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

FROM THE FIRE IT CIVIL, TO THE ENERGY THAT THE FIRE FIGHTERS HAVE.

TO THINGS LIKE THIS HELICOPTER LANDING AND TAKING OFF.

>> YES FIRE FIGHTING IS AN EXCITING OCCUPATION.

THIS IS...

IT'S NEAT OUTDOORS.

THE SENSES, YOU GET TO SEE EVERYTHING AND SMELL EVERYTHING.

WORKING WITH MECHANIC ANY CAL HELL KOPTER ANDS BULLDOZERS.

IT'S EXCITING.

HUELL>> THERE'S A LOT OF ADRENALINE FLOWINGING ISN'T THERE?

>> YES.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AN ADRENALINE RUSH TH, IS ONE OF THEM.

HUELL>> THERE THEY GO.

HUELL>> WOW.

GOING BACK TO CAMP.

>> BEST RIDE IN TOWN.

>> HA, HA,.

HUELL>> NOW WE HAVE MOVED A COUPLE OF MILES FROM THE ORIGINAL BURN.

WE ARE IN A CANYON HERE, AREN'T WE?

>> THEY CALL THESE BOLDS.

THEY LOOK AT A BOWL.

HUELL>> WE'RE STARTING THE FIRE HERE BECAUSE IS THIS A COMMONPLACE FOR HIRES TO BREAK OUT?

>> THEY MOVE QUICKER IN CANYONS LIKE THIS AND HOTTER.

WE ARE TRY TO GO REDUCE THE FUELS AND BRINGING OUR CREW IN TO DO SOME WORK.

WE'LL GET THIS THING BURNING FOR THEM.

>> HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO FIGHT A FIRE TO KEEP THIS STUFF FROM BURNING?

AT FIRST IT LOOKS HARMLESS, BUT IT ISN'T.

>> IF YOU LOOK INSIDE YOU ZT DEAD FUEL THAT CARIES THE FIRE.

HUELL>> THIS IS FULL OF DEAD.

THAT'S WHAT BURNS.

>> YES THE DEAD FUEL HEATS UP WHAT DRIVES THE MOISTURE OUT AND BURNS HOTTER.

HUELL>> WE'RE OKAY STANDING HERE, AREN'T WE?

>> YES.

WE TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM...

STANDING IN FUEL, IF YOU STAND IN UNBURN FUEL WITH FIRE ABOVE OR BLOW YOU IT'S AIN GOOD PLACE TO BE.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE ONLY A FEW FEET FROM OUR SAFE AREA AND THE FIRE IS BURNING AWAY FROM US.

HUELL>> HE'S GOT TO TALK TO SOMEBODY.

I KEEP FORGETTING HE HAS OTHER THINGS TO DO THEN JUST TALK WITH US TODAY.

>> SAFETY OFFICER TODAY IT'S A BIG ROLL.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> MY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO JUST LOOK AT THE AREA WE WILL BURN AHEAD OF TIME.

LOOK FOR RISK FULL AREAS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET INJURED AND MAKE SURE PROEM FOLLOWING... WE HAVE AN INSTANT ACTION PLAN AND WANT TO FOLLOW THE PLAN.

HUELL>> HERE COMES THE GUY SETTING THE FIRE.

I WANT TO WALK UP HERE, LOUIE.

HUELL>> NOW, HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE TO SET THE FIRE?

>> YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE FIRE BEHAVIOR IS DOING AND GET THE FUEL TO CARRY YOU.

YOU LOOK A THE FUEL YOU HAVE.

WE NEED TO BACK DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

>> YES AND THEN YOU TRIP OVER THE FUEL.

HUELL>> YOU'RE ON FIRE HERE?

>> THAT'S OKAY.

THAT'S CONTROLLED THERE.

HUELL>> ALL RIGHT.

HE HAS, WHAT'S THAT CALLED, AGAIN?

>> A DRIP TORCH.

HUELL>> YES.

>> WE USE IT TO PUT IN BACKFIRES OR STRIP FIRES ALONG ROADS WHEN WE WANT TO REMOVE VEGETATION INSTEAD OF USING HAND TOOLS.

IT'S A LOT QUICKER MANEUVER THEN USING CRUZ TO REMOVE THIS.

>> THIS IS REALLY A CONTROLLED BURNING TO CLEAR THIS AREA OUT.

IN ADDITION TO TRAINING IT'S A GOOD WAY TO CLEAR THIS OUT.

>> THERE'S A LOT REASONS WE DO THIS.

ONE REASON IS TO GET THE LIVE DEAD FUEL OFF.

SOME PLANTS, NATIVE PLANS THEY ONLY SEED WITH FIRE BURN THROUGH THERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS TO DO IT.

IF WE HAVE HOMES IN THE AREA DWOE IT.

>> IT'S GETTING HOáM HOT.

DO YOU EVER GET BURNED FROM THE HEAT ON YOUR FACE?

>> WE HAVE SHIELDS THAT WE WEAR.

HUELL>> YES I CAN FEEL IT NOW?

>> YOU WILL END UP WITH A GOOD SUN TAN.

HUELL>> I'LL GET THOEM AND BE BURNED, HUH?

>> YES.

>> IT'S A SUN TAN YOU GET OUT HERE.

HUELL>> THIS IS REALLY MOVING, TOO.

>> WE WILL COME THROUGH HERE WITH THE FIRE.

HUELL>> NOW THESE ARE THE MOST COMMON FIRES HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AREN'T THEY.

THE BRUSH FIRES?

>> THIS IS MORE LIKE A SMALL GRASS TO MEDIUM BRUSH.

IT'S NOT HEAVY STUFF LIKE MALIBU AND THE HEAVY FUEL AREAS.

THOSE BURN LATER IN THE SEASON, OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER.

HUELL>> YOU ARE BREAKING IF YOUS IN EASY.

GIVING US THIS TO WATCH TODAY.

IT CAN GET A LOT HOTTER AND BIGGER AND MORE INTENSE.

>> YES.

MOST OF THE BIGGER FIRES YOU GET UP TO A HUNDRED FEET.

WE CAN'T GET THAT CLOSE.

USUALLY SIX TO EIGHT FEET WE WORK ON.

ANYTHING ABOVE EIGHT FEET WE NEED DOZEER ANDS AIRCRAFT.

HUELL>> YOU PUT EVERYTHING TO PLAY WHEN YOU FIGHT THE FIRES.

>> YES, WE.

DO WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET SOME TIMES.

HUELL>> THE FOREMAN IS TALKSING TO THEM RIGHT HERE.

>> HE WILL GIVE THEM A QUICK SAFETY BRIEFING AND SET UP LOOK OUTS AND MAKE SURE COMMUNICATION IS INTACT.

HUELL>> WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?

>> OKAY.

WE'RE COMING IN AND CUTTING AN ACCESS SO WE HAVE AN ESCAPE GROUP IF SOMETHING HAPPENS.

HUELL>> HE'S CUTTING A PATH?

>> A LITTLE TRAIL TO GET US TO AN ANCHOR POINT HERE.

WE WILL TAKE THE LEFT BANK OF THE FIRE AND CUT A FUEL BREAK AS WE GO UP THE HILL HERE.

>> WHERE WILL YOU GO HERE?

>> A LEFT HAND TURN.

HUELL>> LOUIE TH, IS WHERE WE ARE GOING.

>> WLE HAVE A FOOT IN THE BLACK AND ONE IN THE GREEN AND CUT HERE.

LET'S GO GUYS, HERE.

HUELL>> SO, YOU JUST OH, MY GOSH.

(CHAIN SAW NOISE).

>> LET'S GO, MOVE IT UP.

HUELL>> WOW, THIS IS AMAZING.

>> LET'S GO, PUMP IT UP.

(CHAIN SAW).

HUELL>> BOY.

(CHAIN SAW) HUELL>> IS IT WORTH IT?

ARE YOU STOPPING IT?

>> OH, YES.

YOU WILL SEE THE FIRE COME UP TO OUR LINE AND STOP.

HUELL>> YES.

I'M GOING TO STA OUT OF THE WAY OF THAT SAW.

>> YES, SIR, TURNING AT 12 THOUSAND RPMS.

HUELL>> WOW.

HUELL>> I TELL YOU WHAT.

IT TAKES A LOT OF ENERGY JUST TO CLIMB UP AND DOWN THESE HILLS.

MUCH LESS WORKING WITH THESE SHOVELS AND RAKES.

BUT THEY FORM THE LINE HERE.

THE FIRE HAS STOPPED.

THEY HAVE A FIRE LINE RIGHT HERE.

IT SEEMS TO BE HOLDING.

BOY, WHAT A RUSH THAT WAS.

>> YES.

THEY CAN MOVE REALLY QUICKLY.

YOU CAN SEE UP ABOVE.

HUELL>> LOOK UP HERE.

>> THEY'RE IN HEAVIER FUEL.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY TRY TO DO IF YOU LOOK AT THE LINE.

BASIC LOO THE CONCEPT IS TO SEPARATE THE FUEL FROM THE FIRE.

WE LLD LINE.

BY THE TIME THEY GET THE LAST MEMBER ON THE LINE IT LOOKS LIKE A SMALL ROAD OR FREEWAY WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF THE FIRE GETTING BELOW US.

HUELL>> THE GUY IN THE FRONT OF THE LINE HAS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOBS.

HE'S THE FIRST ONE THERE TO CLEAR OUT THE MATERIAL.

>> YES THE FIRST PERSON IN THE LINE HAS A CHAIN SAW AND HITS THE HEAVY STOP.

THE GUY NEXT TO HIM IS CALLED A "BUCK "BUCKER".

HE'S THE MOST DANGS ROUS.

HE HAS TO PUT HIS HAND NEAR THE CHAIN SAW BLADE.

>> THERE'S ABOUT FIFTEEN PEOPLE UP THERE?

>> USUALLY THE CREW IS FOURTEEN AND A CREW SUPERVISOR AT THE TOP.

HIS JOB SAY LOOK OUT AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOB.

HE'S WATCHING THEM.

HE WILL GO PAST THEM IF HE SEES A PROBLEM SPOT IN THE LINE OR WHERE THEY NEED TO MOVE QUICKER.

USUALLY THEY ARE MOVING ABOUT AS FAST AS THEY CAN WALK.

SPACING ABOUT TEN FEET APART.

YOU SEE THE LAST GUY UP THERE.

THEY CALL THAT THE DRAG SPOON.

THAT PERSON'S JOB IS TO MAKE SURE SEVERRING CLEAN.

HUELL>> WELL, LOUIE, LOOK AT THIS.

THEY HAVE GONE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TOP OF THIS BOWL LEER.

THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF HARD WHORK JUST TO GET UP THERE, HAVEN'T THEY.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT THE ADRENALINE RUSH.

YOU ARE SO BUSY CONCENTRATING ON THE JOB YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW STAEP AND HARD IT IS UNTIL YOU ARE AT THE TOP.

A LOT THEM, IT'S THE ADRENALINE AND PURE FRAINING AND ENERGY THEY HAVE.

HUELL>> IT'S EASY HOW YOU CAN GET DEHYDRATED TOO.

>> THEY CARRY ABOUT FOUR CANTEENS EACH AND THEY HAVE BACK PACK WATER THEY CARRY.

THEY ARE ALWAYS MAKING SURE THEY ARE HYDRATED.

HUELL>> MAN.

I THINK YOU HAVE THE, I THINK YOU HAD THE TOUGHEST JOB.

>> IT'S A LOT MORE BEING SECOND SAW.

THE FIRST SAW PUNCHES THE HOLE TO GET IN.

HUELL>> YOU ARE THE SECOND SAW.

>> YES.

DO A LOT MORE CLEANING.

HE PUNCHES THE HOLE FOR ME.

>> WHAT'S YOUR JOB?

>> I'M HIS BUCKER.

HUELL>> WHAT'S THAT MEAN?

>> HE WHEN HE CUTSES THE BRUSH I THROW IT.

HUELL>> NOW WHAT?

>> THROW THE BURN IN THE BURN AND THE GREEN IN THE GREEN.

WHATEVER IS BURNT THROW IN THE BURN AND WHAT ISN'T THROW IN THE GREEN.

>> HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU DHUN?

>> TWO YEARS.

HUELL>> HAS IT LOST IT'S APPEAL YET OR DO YOU GET EXCITED STILL?

>> I GET A LOT EXCITED.

I GET EXCITED.

HUELL>> I'M EXCITED.

THIS HAS BEEN INTERESTING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

I DON'T THINK THE AVERAGE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON DO YOU?

>> IT'S A DANGEROUS JOB.

IT'S EXCITING.

IT GIVES US SOMETHING POSITIVE TO DO BESIDES BEING BEHIND THE WALLS AND MAKES US MORE PRODUCTIVE TO THE COMMUNITY.

HUELL>> WELL, BOY, THIS IS HAS REALLY BEEN, THIS HAS REALLY BEEN AN EYE OPENER.

>> USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC DOESN'T SEE WHAT WE DO AS FIRE FIGHTERS.

THIS IS ONE THING.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF KNOW WHERE DO LOOFGT WORK SGLIE.

TELL YOU WHAT, WE APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK YOU ARE DOING.

THIS HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TODAY.

THIS IS OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER.

YOU HAVE BEEN A GOOD ONE.

>> I HAVE DONE MY BEST.

HUELL>> YOU HAVEN'T GOT IN OUR WAY.

ME AND LOUIE HAVE GOTTEN THE FEEL FOR WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

AS YOU SAY I DON'T THINK THE AVERAGE SIT EN, I DON'T THINK WE APPRECIATE.

MAYBE WHEN A BIG FIRE COMES ALONG EVERYONE APPRECIATES THE FIREFIGHTER.

O YOU DO A LOT OF PREVENTATIVE WORK AND TRINING YEAR AROUND TO PROTECT US WHEN THE FIRES BREAK OUT.

>> IT'S THE SPRING SDRILZ WE DO REALLY GET THE CRUZ READY FOR THE FIRE SEASON.

WE DO A LOT OF FIRE REDUCTION.

IF WE DO GET A BIG FIRE IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE.

THE FUELS ARE REDUCED.

IT WILL SLOW THE FIRE DOWN.

HUELL>> WELL, WE SHOULD ALL BE AWARE OF FUEL REDUCTION AROUND OUR HOUSES AND LAND AND ALL OF THAT SORT OF THING.

THIS SPRING BURN IS WHAT YOU DOLL?

SPRING DRILL.

>> YES.

SPRING TRAINING DRILLS AND SPRING BURN.

>> IT HAS BEEN AN EYE OPENER FOR US.

IT'S ONE WE WILL REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME.

AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS JOB WELL DONE.

>> THANK YOU SIR.

>> GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT.

INSTRUCTOR I WANT A DRINK OF WATER.

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