the wind was blowing in gusts of twenty to thirty miles pr hour. It was hot and dry, when I noticed a plume of smoke over the hill and down the ridge maybe a couple of miles away. The wind was blowing south south west and I thought we might be in the clear, however within a couple of hours the wind changed toward the east. I sent my daughter with my elderly parents-in-law to some friends miles away from the fire earlier so they would be safe. I could see it might be minutes before the wind drove the fire to the house as it was in the trees to the west maybe a mile away. I loaded the dogs and the deer in the truck. I had to raise doodle the deer because he had been attacked by a big black bear who must have been dragging him when we came upon the scene. The bear dropped him in the middle of our drive and ran off. We bottle fed him and doctored his wounds. I really wasn't sure he would survive but mirracously he did. We drove south down the mountain to a farm out of the fire area. From there I could see the flames in front of the house; I thought it was a gonner, when the big DNR plane (I assume) dropped retardant and saved the barn and house. I made it back up the hill to the house after I could see that the coast was clear and witnessed men and women covered with sweat, grime, and dirt. The worked like madmen to drown the flames and make our place safe. Those firefighters deserve a metal. Even the young guys were polite and respectful. I never heard a single swear word in the three days firefighters were working around the house. They always managed to smile amidst the smoke and flames. Men and wemon's smiles seem warmer when they are covered with soot. I want to take my had off to these couragous men and women who tamed the raging fire on our mountain. sincerly sid beaver -- Republic fire august 26, 2010
