fire in the city
These were not the best fire fighters that the city could muster. They were rookie volunteers just looking to do the right thing. They wanted to stop the fire from eating their city.
The city’s ranks of payroll fire fighters had by this time been depleted in the fires that still raged. They were unfortunate casualties of the initial strategics: man to fire battle. Ground level, the fire fighters went in with buckets and hoses and blankets to beat the burning back from whence it came. And where did it come from?:
The city had been dry and hot for a long time. The official forecasts predicted this would continue indefinitely. Indefinitely.
The water supply held steady. But the top city council got nervous anyways. As a precautionary method they suggested a moratorium on the use of water for cosmetic purposes. There was to be no watering of gardens or grasses throughout the city. The moratorium was passed by vote in the lower city councils. The moratorium became effective immediately. And Green turned dead
and picnics were no longer the choice Sunday afternoon activity.
The botanical gardens were shut down too,
pending improved conditions. The drought went on.
One day, somehow, whether due to secretive disobediences of the moratorium or what have you, a water droplet aligned with the sun. The droplet, magnifying the sun’s powerful intensity, started a small fire that grew. A wind came from nowhere. The wind whipped the fire on
and up the city buildings.
The fire moved too fast for the fire fighters. Too quickly the fire fighters disappeared.
The fire still blazed.
Volunteers were recruited, the brave ones came forward. There wasn’t time enough for any real sort of training program. Besides, the ones who could train the recruits were gone. The best the city could hope for was to suit them up. Unfortunately, the fire suits went down with the fire fighters. Someone in archives suggested nautical suits.
Early 20th century nautical suits and bubble helmets were treated with fire repellent spray. The recruits were suited up.
A new strategy was devised - where ground level failed - the hope was held out - that sky level would succeed. The recruits, fitted out in their gear, were filed onto freight planes.
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