I walk through Nob Hill 4 mornings a week on my way to work. I live in what is often called the “Upper Knob” just north of Nob Hill. This particular 4th of July memory actually took place in that northern area.
This corner now has a bean tree peacefully getting taller, surrounded by the ever aggressive burmuda lawn. But my 30 year memory of this block includes the ancient juniper bush which stood there from the late 40’s until the early 80’s.
Like any neighborhood, we had our share of youngsters with “developing” judgement. The evening of the 4th of July I tell of, I was in my front yard listening to the Bang! POP! Bang of a typical 4th, when I saw the silhouette of a boy pass the 40 year old juniper on its island of hard packed dry needles. As he passed I heard a “black cat” cracker pop, and seconds later the bush burst into flame and within seconds transformed into a 70 foot column of raging flame sounding like a giant blow torch! It was stunning evidence of the danger of even the tiniest flame and dry evergreen material. The fire truck arrived in less than 10 minutes to find a pile of glowing coals at the foot of a glowing USPS mail box. The mailbox had traded its federal blue for a coat of swirling rusts and greys and browns. I’ve wondered whose mail went missing that night.
This year, 2011, as I check in to the fires blazing all over New Mexico in our drought choked forests, I can’t help but remember the spectacular danger I witnessed, and understand the terrible force the fire fighters are facing.
Hue Walker : 