Happy and Blessed Labor Day from Ranger Bill

A “Happy Labor Day!” from Ranger Bill, Stumpy, Henry, and Gray Wolf. Our rangers hope you and your family had a good summer.

The fellas are planning a cookout this afternoon at Bill’s house. Mom has made potato salad and a fruit salad to go with the hamburgers, hot dogs, and ribs the boys are grilling.

Back at Big Pine National Forest, there is change as Bill and his rangers shift gears from summer to fall. Jane Reeves and most of her summer fire tower observers have been sent home for the year. Because of the danger of fires this year, Bill is keeping on a few extra fire watchers till the danger of fire decreases. Bill has also sent his summer backwoods rangers home. Bill’s regular crew of backwoods rangers plus a small crew of weekend volunteers should provide more than enough protection for the fall camping and hiking season. Henry is back in school, but he will still work weekends at ranger headquarters.

Bill would like to offer a prayer of thanks for all the many fire fighters who have been and continue to battle fires throughout the United States and especially for those who have lost their lives in 2013.