THE WILLOW FIRE
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Do you like to hike??  Have a nice evening campfire?  Enjoy nature?

A wildfire in the desert is a serious matter.  Brittle dry brush, gusting winds and
high temperatures don't mix when a spark ignites.

Some 70,000 acres later, the desert is burned, literally singed, there is nothing left.
Many people who used to call this area home, have
NO HOME to return to, only charred remains and shattered dreams.

The animals which once inhabited these areas, have lost their
habitats, and many...have lost their lives.

The next time you start a campfire (or any fire) please ask yourself:

  • Do I  REALLY know what I am doing?
  • Am I doing this with a permit in a designated area?
  • Is the pit I've dug  deep enough?
  • Are the materials I'm  using highly combustible,  or will they burn slowly?
  • Have I made preparations BEFOREHAND should the fire get out of control?
  • Have I cleared ANY brush/grass/other items from the general area?
  • Am I CERTAIN the fire is  truly out when I'm ready to leave?

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    This photo was taken at 12 Noon August 29, 1999, 20 miles north of the fire.  Bell Mountain is to the southwest of this location (to the right) Flames can be seen to the left of the telephone pole.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     





    This photo was taken at 2:30 PM on Sunday, August 29, 1999. As you can see, it's DARK!  This photo was taken from TortoiseAid's  back porch, 7 miles from the fire's location. It rained ash for over a week.
     
     








     
     






    Look at these animals, with bloody burned paws, upper respiratory infections from smoke inhalation, and singed fur.  Many have died. Countless are homeless.

    You don't want something like this on your conscience, do you?

    We hope just maybe you'll think twice before you toss  that next cigarette out of your car window?

    RESPCT FIRE.  FIRE KILLS.


    This young cat, named "Willow" by humane workers, suffered from badly
    burned paws and pneumonia.

    Hundreds of dogs were left roaming, injured, and without their "people,"
    many people lost their homes.  They turned to humane workers to help them to care for
    their treasured furry family members as long as necessary.  TortoiseAId volunteered
    many, many hours for both companion animals as well as wildlife.

    This elderly German Shepherd was found in sitting front of where his house used to be.  Dehydrated, disoriented, and very weak, he was brought to humane volunteers by firemen to be cared for.
    A Mojave Green Rattlesnake with it's tail burned off. Sadly, it too died.


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