7/31/2003: Burning embers captured

Yet another MSNBC shot, this one shows how fires move so quickly on windy days.... it's the embers. Captured as thin little lines in a lengthy exposure, each one capable of starting a new fire. But pretty cool anyway.

Over time we've had many forest fire images and they are all pretty cool.

Super picture, UT. Flying over a pretty wide stream would carry the fire where they wouldn't expect it.

Definately looks like a battlefield. Kinda post-apocalyptic...

of planes landing at LAX.

That's what it looks like to me.

Originally posted by Undertoad
Yet another MSNBC shot, this one shows how fires move so quickly on windy days.... it's the embers.[/B]

How true that is. We had a fire sweep through our camp yesterday; my tent was only several away from the destruction but luckily the wind was blowing the other way.

21 large 50-person tents were destroyed; luckily no one was hurt. Some of the tents were pretty far from each other, but those damn embers just flew everywhere.

Unfortunately I can't post any pictures of the destruction but it was pretty bad. Of course the friggin' desert heat didn't help any either. There were a few porta-johns that were probably over 100 feet from the flames, but just melted right down to the ground.

Originally posted by Tobiasly

There were a few porta-johns that were probably over 100 feet from the flames, but just melted right down to the ground.

Damn. How much longer are you gonna be using porta johns? Getting out in what, September?

I doubt there are any plans to install more permanent facilities. And if you think it sucks to use a porta-john in the U.S., try sitting in one that has been out in the triple-digit heat all day!

There are some better facilities on the adjacent camp, where most of the "permanent party" are stationed. We're basically in overflow tents that would otherwise be occupied by units on their way out.

So not only do we have worse housing and facilities, and live about a kilometer away from where we work, but we get to watch all the people going home! Of course, it's a far cry from where we were a few months ago (and where a lot of GI's still are), so I can't complain too much.

So here's the big question... can you hold your breath through an entire dump?

Originally posted by Tobiasly
And if you think it sucks to use a porta-john in the U.S., try sitting in one that has been out in the triple-digit heat all day!

Woodstock 1999. I feel your pain. I didn't shit that whole time because the stench was unbearable (and because they were fucking filthy).

Actually the smell isn't too terrible -- either that, or I've gotten used to it. It's the fucking heat that gets to you. On more than one occasion, I've wondered what would happen if I passed out from heat exhaustion while in there, and no one realized for hours.

On all TV stations here, commercials are replaced with the military equivalent of public service announcements. There is one about leaving your pet in a closed car on a hot summer day, and I always just think "what about US, dammit!?"

But Tob, pets don't have BARs to ventilate the premicises.
Hopefully you'll be cooling your...uh...heels at home, soon.:beer:

What is this, WWII? BAR's? Does anyone actually use those anymore?

Um, no, we tend to have M-4s these days!

Looks more like a screenshot from Unreal Tournament 2003, actually...

Yeah, I thought it looked like an FPS screenshot at first too. I could almost expect to see a rocket come flying at me from behind that rock!...