Then, we moved on to learn about how to fight fires.... One thing I didn't realize when I first got to S.A. is that they have tons of wildfires during their winter because it's dry season (and when I say dry, I mean you can't get any drier). Last year they had a wildfire that was so bad that they didn't have time to even defend the property, they just went strait for the houses to make sure that they didn't burn down. So, with this in mind, we started our training.
Needless to say, it was quite an experience to learn how to use fire whackers and turn on the water tank, as well as use all the hoses and learn how to prevent fires from hopping. Along with all of these tactics that are used when a fire has actually just arrived, it is also common to burn large patches of grass in a controlled environment, in order to create a barrier between the property and the places where a fire would leap from outside the property. So, after having gone over the basics, they wanted to give us some practice using the whackers on a controlled fire that they needed to light along the fence at the front of the land. Since the wind was somewhat mild, they figured that the fire would stay somewhat controlled and we could have our experience.
So, they lit the fire...and then everything went wrong. The fire picked up to be quite large. So they told us to back off. They were going to go get the water tank. But, of course, the water tank wouldn't start. So, following Richard (one of the head missionaries here), we started to use our fire whackers as instructed. They also gave us masks to help with the smoke. I am still processing and don't really know what to say except that the fire got really out of control and, no matter what we did, the water tank wouldn't start.
I don't know if any of you have ever stood next to a wild fire that is as tall as you, but it hurts. Not only the smoke in your lungs that makes you feel like you will never breathe fresh air again, but being 3 feet from a gigantic flame that is being blown toward you at rapid paces is just ridiculously hot.
We fought the fire for a solid hour all the way up the property. Thankfully we were able to keep it out of the neighbor's yard (last year he lost a lot of his yard and a caravan to a fire). Eventually, the fire brigade was contacted and just when the fire would have been beyond our control they arrived. Thank the Lord! We continued to beat down the fire as it crossed into the neighbor's yard for another ten or so minutes until the the bakkie made it to where we were at and doused the area in water.
Aside from being exhausted, quite sore, and with a slight burn on my cheeks I am fine. I did sweat through everything I was wearing, though--my shirt and sweatshirt and jeans. It was just so hot and, on top of that, we were beating the ground with massive rubber mats on poles and running for an hour. But, in the midst of it all, God was good to us and He is good to us even now. Thankfully, no one was hurt and, in all reality, having the land burned that we did was good because, in the event of another fire in the future, the fire won't be able to hop the field and reach the buildings and garden on the other side.
Thank the Lord we are safe.
Sharp Sharp. (another way to say goodbye I learned)
