Saving Hwy 36

pickett

Pickett Mountain on Friday, July 31 [Photo by Dick Assam]

After Thursday’s lightning storms, fires rushed through remote areas and towards tiny hamlets. The area around Ruth Lake was particularly hard hit. Neighbors fought side by side to rescue homes and save property. One such story was brought to our attention by Dick Assam. The story was confirmed by Jackie, who describes herself as a 60 plus year-old woman, but preferred not to use her last name.

Jackie says she has “lived out here for 40 years and fought every fire that came along.” Keep that in mind when you read Assam’s story.

He wrote,

A few hours after that photo was snapped on Friday, a small group of local landowners on South Fork Mountain assembled and noticed the complete lack of fire resources. They got any tool they could, water tanks in the back of trucks, pumps and hoses and manned [Hwy] 36.

They back-burned armed with nothing more than Bic lighters along the road all night to stop the approaching onslaught and checked blowing embers. They caught every spot fire that got across the road for 12 hours. Those 9 people held 6 miles of road against that inferno.

The next morning when the first fire captain found them, he couldn’t believe what he saw or what was done with so few volunteers was even possible.

If that fire skipped the road, we would be looking at a vastly worse situation out here and [Hwy] 36 would be cut in half for who knows how long. It would affect many lives and the economy.

I see a lot of [press releases talking about] 0% containment flying around. That is bullshit because I know of 6 miles of very valuable real estate that is contained. Thank you Ben, Kara, Robert, Esteban, Jackie, Boris, Brittany, Creek and Owen. You guys are the heroes of the day!

What Jackie later told us was that Assam also helped fight the fire after he “got his wife and kid out.” Assam insisted the others fought much longer than he did and deserve the credit.

Tonight, Jackie is packing her bags. She might have to evacuate.

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Photos from the Ruth side of the fire were taken Friday about 5:30 p.m. by Tiffany Simpson Thomson
IMG_122185930419914IMG_122230722351067 IMG_122224467498772 IMG_122220663116448 IMG_122269090393058 IMG_122182629211418IMG_122169073791497

Capture

The red marker is on Pickett Peak to the right of Ruth Lake and south of Hwy 36.

To help place the incident further, here’s another map showing the boundaries of the fire as of August 2.

Capture

 

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Note: Small changes to grammar were made to the story.

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Rhonda
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Rhonda
8 years ago

Thank you for this uplifting story in this time of fire.

Bee
Guest
Bee
8 years ago

This is what fire fighting looked like in Trinity pines yesterday

Dick
Guest
Dick
8 years ago
Reply to  Bee

Kill it! Let us know how you did! FS ain’t telling the loss which freaks me out…

So Hum Sun
Guest
So Hum Sun
8 years ago

Community standing together, this is why I love rural living! Great job, great story!

Backwoods
Guest
Backwoods
8 years ago

I think this is an incredible accomplishment, I might know Jackie and this is what makes it very special to say thank you all. Anyone who fights fire has my respect.

nines
Guest
8 years ago

I’m life and death grateful but I’m too busy blubbering to express it completely.

G-ma
Guest
G-ma
8 years ago

You brave “9”rock.great neighbors and friends coming together wow what heros.bless all of you

Lo
Guest
Lo
8 years ago

To my nephew Ben who was one of those ragtag firefighters and all of that 9 person crew… You are truly heroes. I’ve always known Ben’s strength of character. His determination doesn’t surprise me a bit. I’m so PROUD and relieved that all are safe.

Martin's
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Martin's
8 years ago

What a feel good story!! Nice to know good people band together when an emergency hits. Brought tears to my eyes. The nine that saved “36”. Great job. Good photos too. Thanks

cheers
Guest
cheers
8 years ago

Wow u folks are amazing. I love how quickly folks can come together and get on the problem rather than waiting for some agency to show up. Truly inspiring and pray you all are safe and your homes spared from fire.

silverlining
Guest
silverlining
8 years ago

Fantastic photos! And to anyone who organized and fought the fire before the pro firefighters showed up you all have true grit. The first year I was able to get a piece of property a fire broke out on the prop boundary ( official explanation was spontaneous combustion ) It was 112 degrees on the heel of two straight weeks of 104 0r higher weather. When your own ass is on the line it adds to bravery, at least for me. There had earlier been a gigantic fire in Mendo called Cow Mountain. We worked and worked and I started wondering where the real fire department was. Turns out they were all at Cow Mountain. After about three hours we got one group of smokejumpers. I was so relieved to find somebody as I was the only person desperately trying to cut line in a heavily forested area with trees slowly exploding overhead. I think they thought I was nuts. The other half of the fire is where about 20 or so people went to fight it as there was a large meadow that gave them an actual shot at stopping it. They actually pulled it off and made a successful line that worked. I was working alone at the other end because hey, my land is on fire and was not going to give up without a fight. Loved this story of the residents out 36.

Lori Anzini
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Lori Anzini
8 years ago

Thank you for this heartwarming report. The heroes are the neighbors and community that band together. Awesome!

susan purcell
Guest
susan purcell
8 years ago

There are others who fought tirelessly whose names are not mentioned in this article. Thank you Doug for working for hours along side your neighbors, in a very dangerous situation.

Dick
Guest
Dick
8 years ago
Reply to  susan purcell

I tried to double check and get everyone, I was late to the rodeo. Thanks Doug, and name anyone else!

nines
Guest
8 years ago

Gaw…. I’m still blubbering.

Spinnerholm
Guest
Spinnerholm
8 years ago

I do know Jackie and her enormous strength of character! We are keeping you in our thoughts. Didn’t realize the fire was that close to you. You know you have a place to stay and Conie and Erik’s if you need it. Love you, be safe……

4204life
Guest
4204life
8 years ago

Neighborhood crew put out a 5 or 10 acre fire on top of 8 mile ridge

Renee Rosenburg
Guest
Renee Rosenburg
8 years ago

Jackie your my hero. Woot Woot Creek and Owen and all of you
others who helps save the land North of the area you were working. It was breaking our hearts to think of our cabins burning and that beautiful forest going up in flames. You all deserve a massage! And many thanks. Love and blessings.

Jackie
Guest
Jackie
8 years ago

kym,thank you for sharing Dick Assam’s story and observation,I feel way to much attention was given to me,as the others,including Doug( don’t think Dick knew him) worked their buns off..I also think these type of scenarios at this time are happening all over the place with so many fires…Pray for rain !!!!

TT
Guest
TT
8 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I will wash your truck! It will bring rain!

Beth
Guest
Beth
8 years ago
Reply to  Jackie

Jackie and crew, thank you so much for all your efforts! Our cabin at the bottom of Hidden Valley Ranch has been in our family since the early 60’s and I can’t imagine losing it. I was with my family at the cabin and contacted Jackie to get information and to let her know that there were 15 of us down at the bottom. Her efforts as well as the efforts of all those that helped will not go unappreciated! I am so glad that you are all safe! Thank you Jackie and all those that fought so hard. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you!! Deepest regards-all the Somerville generations!

stinkfootsteve
Guest
stinkfootsteve
8 years ago

So who is responsible ? What started it? Can we point the finger in a direction yet?
If these folks would have water stored they might have been able to put the damn Fire out but the county is a biotch when it comes to water storage, I blame them! All the way!

michele
Guest
michele
8 years ago

Loved the story. Especially the bond between neighbors and their love of their land! Great job.

Pamlyn Millsap
Guest
Pamlyn Millsap
8 years ago

My kids have houses up there. One is a firefighter and he has not had rest in days. He has been up fighting the fires. And my other SIL works for PG&E and he has a house up there on Van Duzen. The evacuation is still in place and they don’t know if the two houses are still standing. Both continue to work to fight fire and restore the power up there. They appreciate all the help they get saving property and life. Stay safe- all of you and thank you all. Hugs-

Neil
Guest
Neil
8 years ago

Thank you, my South Fork Mtn neighbors!
I wish i had been out there to help.

Nancy & Glenn Town
Guest
Nancy & Glenn Town
8 years ago

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Our family has property below hidden valley ranch. We know some of the brave local fire fighters, many we don’t. We are indebted.
I know we are not out of the woods yet, but what an incredible group individuals responding heroically in a tough and dangerous situation. The Town Family

Marcia Bryant
Guest
Marcia Bryant
8 years ago

Wow~ I clearly remember fighting fire in 1987, while living with my children at Hidden Valley~ alongside of Jackie and a few others. The forest and our homes depend on all of us to help protect it from fire. THIS story really caught my eye, and I am so thankful I caught it on Facebook via Michael Bien! Blessings go out to ALL of you.

janet
Guest
janet
8 years ago

Most of us know and love ::) Jackie who has been through more fire and ice in her years here that most folks will see in a lifetime.

Renee Shelby
Guest
Renee Shelby
8 years ago
Reply to  janet

Jackie is a very hardworking woman. I had the pleasure of working with her for a few years and an mot at all surprised by this story, its who she is.

julie farber
Guest
julie farber
8 years ago

There was quite the battle taking place across the road from Ruth rec camp ground.. The battle went on four four days . The care takers of this property had a bunch of fire fighters fromSF .Ben knew his place well as well as the land surrounding it . Ben and Barb jump right in . Ben showed them whare to go . Barb began cooking for several firefighters . She made them lunch and dinner . The firefighters were in their front yard .With the fire raging. .Ben and Barb moved out of their place . Across the road from their tiny cabin. Sleeping out on the ground for 3 night and fixing meals for their hot shot team . The SF firefighters saved everyone’s home in those 4 days . Barb and Ben so greatful . Along with everyone else around them . Spent their own money . That they really didnt have . But being old school . You feed your workers . The fire crew did aback burn today there . I wonder how it went . Good I guess . no news is good news . THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS ………YOUR OUR HEROS

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