It never ceases to amaze me how you can get such wonderful pictures while you scan the skies and the radio too (no doubt!) for the calls you wait for.

These are beautiful.

I look forward to seeing more!

Fire season isn't over here until rains come in the fall, and Summer has just started...

And as the monsoon ends our fire season, the Pacific Northwest starts really getting cranked up. I had an offer, yesterday, to staff an Oregon fire lookout after we close down here. Very tempting, but I had too many prior commitments.

Then there is California's fire season: 12 months, 24/7. Or, at least, it seems that way.

Enjoy your "prior commitments" which I believe will see you back with your dog.

I know, I know... we should be in the clear by then (after a good monsoonal start)...
but it still seems so early. Does this mean that no one else will be manning the lookout? Or, maybe just local people on shorter shifts?

Are you doing any more video for PBS?

I look forward to your next Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... etc.

Thank you so much for your work up there. I love these mountains, and deserts so much. I never gave much thought about the few dedicated individuals who take on your job and the responsibility that goes with it. That's my mistake.

Thank you again, sincerely.

I hope you come back next year!

Beautiful photos, as always!

But it will sit ready until Fall. If need be, one of the fire crewmembers that I have trained can staff the lookout in an emergency. But many of our fire crews will be deployed to fires elsewhere (WA, OR, ID, CA, etc), along with engines, tenders, and aircraft.

And thanks for your kind words. I'm discussing a couple of projects with PBS.

Are you able to see the various fireworks around Tucson? The night time city view is gorgeous, and I would think if the weather is clear, the fireworks would be stunning from up there. (even if a bit distant)

Did you see/photograph them last year? I don't remember seeing pics of that if you did.

Would love to see them (or this year)...
At any rate, Happy 4th to you!

I had seen this post a couple weeks ago and then mis-remembered the date as 7/25. I passed by the lookout today on a hike down to Shovel Spring (on the Samaneigo Trail) and back, thinking I may see you again this summer, and of course found you gone, with the lookout left as neat as a pin. Thank you for your help in keeping our forests safe, and best wishes for your next projects.

--Tom