Fall Foliage and Fire

On Saturday we took a trip up to the farm in Hillsville, VA to do a controlled burn. We had several acres of trees harvested this year, leaving behind the scrubby limbs, vines and briars. The goal was to burn off the junk while keeping the fire out of the woods and fields.

First a shot of the lovely fall foliage:



We began by burning a narrow strip along the south side of the area, to make a buffer.





Then we started from the north side and allowed the fire to burn south (with the wind) up to the buffer. At one point the field narrowed and there were some trees close by. We were told (by dad the forester, in charge of the burn) to keep an eye out for any fire that got out into the field. "And we don't want it to get over into the trees..."



So as I'm on lookout, high atop the hill with my knitting, I see...



After working to put the old dead tree out for about an hour, another dead log blazed up behind us. So we called the forest service to come put it out. The forester who came did not know how to work the water hose (dad showed him) and he had not filled the truck completely with water. He did have enough to get the little corner of woods under control. I hope to add a video soon, shot by my sister Jennifer, which includes some hilarious narations!




And now for some nice shots of sunset at our house: