BY MATT SCHOOLEY
After finishing putting out a 90-acre fire, Bow resident and firefighter Eliot Berman and his fellow firefighters thought they would have the chance for a rest.
But just minutes after the last flames were doused, a call came over the radio. Rest would have to wait, as Berman and his crew of 19 other firefighters picked up 7,000 feet of hose and hopped on a bus. It was time for a new battle.
Sleep would have to wait.
Berman was one of 20 New Hampshire firefighters who headed out west to fight wildfires in northern California, attempting to help control blazes that often begin with a simple strike of lightning.
After fighting two “smaller” fires, Berman and his crew received word of another blaze, known as the Fletcher fire, burning about 10 acres. After packing up their supplies, the team arrived at the site of the fire, only to find it had spread to approximately 1,000 acres.
To begin with, there were only three crews heading into the unknown with nothing but the supplies on their backs. However, just hours later, things changed a bit.
“They had a little town set up within 48 hours. It was unbelievable. When we got there, we had only three crews, and when we got back there were bathrooms, mess halls, offices for medical and supply. They set up a little community for 1,000 people,” said Berman. “You name it, and it was there.”
The fire, which began in northern California and spread over the border into Oregon, was the largest-scale blaze Berman has ever dealt with, something that was physically draining.
“It’s quite grueling, and it’s not for everybody. You have to be in shape. Even if you are in shape though, we were over 8,000 feet of elevation, so you have a little less oxygen up there, and it takes a bit to get used to,” said Berman. “But if you’re prepared for it and you’re in shape and drinking your water, it isn’t too bad. You rest when you can and you work when you have to work.”
Prior to making the trek out West, firefighters who signed up had to meet educational requirements, take a physical test of carrying a 45-pound pack for 15 minutes and take part in training exercises.
Those who pass the test are put on a list, and groups of 20 are sent to various locations. Berman and his team were the second to go out. The first group went to Canada and a third group is now waiting to assist at an unknown location.
Seven or 8 acres of flames are considered to be large in the Bow area, so 8,000 acres of blaze was uncharted territory for Berman.
“I don’t know how to explain it. It was a great time. The people were great and the leadership was fantastic. I felt extremely comfortable,” he said. “With this being my first time out there, I hadn’t experienced it before. Under the leadership we had I felt completely safe.”
Berman plans to make a presentation to his fellow Bow firefighters to describe new methods of management and leadership that can be applied on a smaller scale. Although New Hampshire likely will never face an 8,000-acre fire, Berman feels the knowledge could have been helpful during this year’s flooding or even during smaller fires.
His working experience was so satisfying, just one tour of duty fighting large fires was not enough for Berman.
“I would do it again in a heartbeat. I wish I had the opportunity to do it again this year, because I definitely would. But I am planning on going again next year for sure,” said Berman. “I’m so thankful to the town of Bow for allowing me to have this experience, as I received some of the best training I have ever experienced.”
The trip was 18 days long, 14 days of duty and four travel days. Despite the lessons he learned out West, Berman was nonetheless happy upon his return.
“It was nice to get back. We had an opportunity to sleep in beds a few times, but it was great to come back and sleep in your own bed.”