On Saturday, Oct. 26, our area government and volunteer fire fighters gathered and worked cooperatively to put out the Pumpkin Ridge fire. Friends and neighbors joined volunteers and professionals, digging fire line, which was circled by a Cat )construction equipment) line. I arrived home when the response teams were in full swing.

In the dark from the Hug Road, the view of the fires reached to the skyline. By 10 p.m. or so, the fire was out enough that nearly everyone pulled out. In the morning, we explored the Cat-made fire line, which threaded through trees and machinery up a steep slope, in and around young trees with precision and obvious care for what was left afterward.

I am so grateful to all who contributed to avoiding a tragedy, including Oregon Department of Forestry from La Grande and Wallowa and rural volunteer fire departments from Imbler, Elgin, La Grande, and North Powder.

My heart goes out to those who had to evacuate their homes and endure a terrifying Saturday and night — and beyond grateful for the rains that began in the morning and continued throughout the day after.

Julie Farnam

Summerville

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