A couple of interesting tidbits from the fire lookout (MRE glass update is one)

[DemoTex]

Tidbit 1: The Pentagon's Defense Procurement Agency's investigation into the DoD MRE "glass" contamination I found (in my mouth!) three weeks ago has determined that the material was not glass. It was quartz! Quartz is much harder than glass. I can't believe I did not break a tooth.

The contractor, Ameriqual, had a salmonella problem in MRE milkshakes earlier this summer. That problem was brought to my attention FIRST here on DU!

The quartz rock contamination was in a MRE Menu 22 Jambalaya. Quartz nuggets are used in the processing of the rice for this MRE (de-husking). So which is worse, biting and ingesting sharp shards of glass or sharp shards of quartz?

Tidbit 2: Today was the first day of bow hunting season in the Deschutes NF (probably all of Oregon too). Late yesterday one of the old-timer lookouts called me and said to be very vigilant for fires this morning (hunters' campfires, etc). "Right .." I thought.

So at 0815 this morning what did I spot five miles from the lookout? Fire smoke. Smoke report! Location, base sighted, wind, smoke characteristics. My battalion commander called the lookout, "Whatca got, Mac." "Campfire, IMHO," sez I.

Engine 34 was dispatched from Bend. On the FS-18 road just six miles from Bend, E-34 was flagged down by a motorist who reported a smoke nearby. They found, extinguished it, and boogied on down the road to my fire. The investigator said, "hunters' fire."

When they finally got to the area I reported the fire, I hadn't seen smoke for an hour. They spent ten minutes looking and then called dispatch that they had found the site of the illegal campfire, and it had been properly extinguished (that explained the big white puff I saw and hour earlier: steam).

Ends up there were two other fires over the Newberry rim (and out of my A/O) that were blamed on hunters. Now, I'm not down on hunters. But we have had few fires since the epic lightning storms of early August. And this was predicted to me!

[XemaSab]

1. Fortunately quartz doesn't fracture like glass does

You're much less likely to get a really sharp edge.

[DemoTex]

5. But it was sharp enough to cut my gums and tongue!

That was probably more a function of pressure. But I still wouldn't want it taking the e-ticket ride through my alimentary canal!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear DemoTex...

Your dispatches are soooo interesting! I always want to read them, even though I might not always comment...

You keep an eye on the fires...

I'll keep a lookout for your posts!

K&R

:patriot:

[DemoTex]

6. Thanks Peggy

I sincerely hope that you are out of harm's way in the Cali fires. Every time the wind shifts to the south, we get drift smoke from California.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Thanks, sweetie!

I am far from both, thank you...

You're getting the smoke all the way up THERE?

Yikes.:scared:

Palos Verdes is to the south, and those fires are on the southern boundary, on the shore...

And the La Canada fire is all the way across the basin from me...

I'm next door to LAX, on the Santa Monica Bay.

We're in no danger at all...

:hug:

[grantcart]

3. put some clothes on - your freaking out the birds

and keep up the good work

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Quartz have I saod today how much I hate Repubicans?

God there are days.

Be careful out there mac

[DemoTex]

9. In Viet Nam there was another term for "lookout" among combat pilots.

"Check Six" (meaning always watch your ass). Scanning for smokes is E-Z for me. It reminds me of two things: 1. scanning for tailing marlins from the bow of a sport-fishing boat off Montauk in the weeks before going to Viet Nam, and; 2. scanning for MiGs on my Ho Chi Minh Trail missions.

:hi:

[Suich]

8. I guess I didn't realize there was even such a thing as

"bow" hunting season. Do you ever see any wildlife at the lookout? Like cougars, deer or wolves?

Thanks for the interesting "tidbits,"btw!

:hi:

[DemoTex]

10. Lots of white-tail deer and small varmints.

I sic Nick on the deer. I spot them, get him on the catwalk and point them out, open the trap door and let him run. Usually they are 50-75 meters away and they hear him coming. But he reaches his peak before he gets to them. Great exercise for Nick, and I do not like deer up here on the butte. They attract mountain lions (cougars), which have been spotted up here recently.

[Hekate]

11. Thanks for the update! Who's Nick?

Stay safe

Hekate

[DemoTex]

12. Who. Is. Nick.? Nick is the King of the Lookout! Nick sees all, knows all.

Nick

[TahitiNut]

13. I bow to the wise and benevolent Nick!

Ubetcha. :hi:

[Hekate]

15. Nick! has a truly adorable face. He looks *very* wise. What kind of dog is he?

I can tell he is a great companion.

Hekate

[DemoTex]

16. Nick is a Hairy-Headed Outer-Hebrides Hunting Hound

Its true! Ask TahitiNut.

[hootinholler]

14. I can't believe I caught your post while I'm still up.

:hi:

You have an orange vest for Nick?

-Hoot

[DemoTex]

17. I'll get one Monday in Bend. Great idea!

[Born_A_Truman]

18. I 2nd the orange vest for Nick

Hope you have one too.

Glad you're getting answers on the MREs. I read about the other recall on Wildlandfire.com

Drove down to Costa Mesa yesterday for hubby's HS reunion and saw the Station Fire in full swing. It's headed over the mountain towards Acton and the Santa Clarita valley. The smoke coming home today was everywhere. The whole LA basin is smothered in smoke.

[spanone]

19. k&r....