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Forest Fires

Yukon/Alaska/Northern B.C. - June 26-July 10, 2006

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Each tree is a mature Spruce 30+ feet.

View of the fires from the Cessna.

I spent 2 weeks traveling through Canada's northern regions and into Alaska to observe the annual forest fire season. This year was a busy one with numerous fires burning which led to the evacuation on numerous towns. I had a tremendous amount of help from the Wildland Fire Management Agency in Whitehorse. They provided valuable information about the fire status and conditions and allowed me to visit active fires with their crews.

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Hauling my TV camera through the smoldering forest. On board one of the many helicopters that was being used to transport fire fighters. Sometimes the only way to get to the fires was by boat.

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The huge smoke plume was incredible. It looked like the end of the world.

Pyrocumulous cloud formed by one of the fires.

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Running hose from the pumps to the fires. Hotspots smoldering in the forest can flare up and spread. Filming one of the helicopter flights from the command center.

The scenery and wildlife that I witnessed was some of the most breathtaking I could imagine. Among some of the wildlife spotted: Grizzly & black bears, caribou, beaver, bald eagle, wild horses, stone mountain sheep, deer, porcupine, and a herd of bison.

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The scenery in Atlin, B.C.

Rainbow at the airstrip.

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Grizzly Bear at close range.

Caribou wandering past.

It seems that during this trip, I travelled by almost every means conceivable including:

4 Jets
2 rental cars
Helicopter
Cessna
Propeller boat
Jet boat
Steam Train
Landcruiser
Mountain bike
2 School busses
Numerous white water rafts....

Sometimes getting there is half the fun.