Chapter Five
Maya loaded her go-bag in her patrol SUV. She opened the door for Juniper to jump into her special compartment. The Mal was
happy to be doing something other than barking at a cat and leapt right in, doing a couple excited circles before sitting
and staring at Maya expectantly.
“You may not get to work, girly,” Maya said, scratching behind Juniper’s ears. Juniper gave a happy groan in response and
a lick on Maya’s cheek. “Even if you don’t get to work, we have a long day ahead.”
Josh came out of the house, put his go-bag on the front seat of his car and loaded Finn into his compartment. The compartment
in Josh’s car was new. Pops had agreed to the department purchase after Josh and Finn had passed their certifications for
search and rescue including human remains. In August, Josh was planning on taking Finn to do a water certification. Maya was
excited to have Finn’s skills. Combined with Juniper, they had a lot of options for K-9 work that could save lives.
Josh headed toward Maya and stepped around a sign in the front yard that said Colten For Sheriff.
Pops had talked Josh into running and he was starting his campaign.
Maya knew that Josh had been hesitant, but Pops could be persuasive.
Josh had finally agreed to run since Pops was planning on retiring.
So far, there was no one running against Josh.
But rumors had it that there were some other deputies from various counties considering it.
“Keep in touch and stay safe,” Josh said as he got over to Maya.
“You too.” Maya pulled him down to her and gave him a long kiss. She didn’t know when she’d see him again with this fire.
They could both be working long hours doing different jobs.
“Where are you headed first?”
“Up to the campgrounds in the fire area,” Maya said. She glanced west and saw that the plume had continued to grow and the
smoke was blowing east. If the fire became big enough, the smoke would be seen for miles and air quality in other states would
be affected. “Hopefully the weekend campers haven’t all arrived yet and I can get those areas cleared out.”
“Pops has already been in touch with state patrol and other counties to help close roads,” Josh said. “I’ll have a lot to
learn through this.”
“It’s good experience on one hand,” Maya said, “but I wish the forests didn’t burn. Although I know it’s healthy for them
in the long run and part of living here.”
Juniper started barking indignantly, telling Maya she wanted to get going. Finn, hearing her, decided to join in and howl.
“I think they’re saying we better get a move on,” Maya said, giving Josh another kiss.
“I think so too,” Josh answered.
He still wasn’t himself. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just wishing we could have had our weekend together.”
“We’ll find another weekend,” Maya said. Maybe he was stressed about running for sheriff.
“We will. Stay safe.”
“You too.”
They each headed in their own direction. Maya watched Josh back out of the driveway first. She didn’t know what she’d do without
him. He was everything to her. And yet, their jobs were dangerous. Every time they headed to work, it could be their last
goodbye. Even though this was a fire and they wouldn’t necessarily be close to it, she knew it was a worthy opponent that
was dangerous and volatile.
Maya followed the winding road up to the first campground. Green trees flashed by her window and for a moment, all she could
see was blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Sometimes the mountains hid the view of smoke and even thunderstorms. More than
one hiker had been surprised by a storm rolling in because they couldn’t see the thunderheads until it was too late.
Right now, there was a single plume that could only be seen from certain areas. Overnight, the smoke would drop down and the
air quality everywhere would become bad, making it more obvious there was a fire.
Maya made quick work of getting the first campground evacuated.
Juniper made clear that she thought she should be doing something.
Every time Maya got out of a vehicle to talk to campers, wait for them to pack up and then close the gate behind them, Juniper would yip and howl to make sure everyone knew she was unhappy.
After locking another gate, Maya climbed back in the vehicle and let Juniper stick her head through the compartment door to
the cab. “Sorry, girl. I know you want to do something. Today might be really boring for you.”
Juniper let out a big sigh and then slurped Maya across the face.
“Thanks for understanding. We have one more campground to clear.”
Maya and Juniper pulled out onto the road. The last campground was the closest to the fire but usually had the least amount
of campers. Maya had debated starting there and working her way back, but had decided to go to the busiest areas first. As
they drove, they climbed a bit in elevation. Juniper kept her head through the compartment door, staring straight ahead. Her
expression said she was still optimistic she’d get to work at some point.
About fifteen minutes later, they arrived at their destination.
This was a smaller camping area. Only a couple of RVs could fit at a time and there was a trail to another spot to pitch tents.
No one had a permit for the tent camping areas, but Maya still planned on getting Juniper out to check them.
That way Juniper would get some energy out and Maya would feel better knowing there wasn’t anyone back in the woods who would be surprised by this fire.
As she parked, she heard over the radio that air support was gearing up if the winds cooperated. Hopefully it wouldn’t get
too gusty and the tankers and helicopters could do their jobs. There was nothing more impressive, or scary, than watching
a tanker dive down close to the fire and open the chute, drop the retardant, and then go back up and do it again. The pilot’s
precision was an amazing skill.
Getting out of her vehicle, she only saw one RV, making her glad for her decision to stop by the busy camping areas first.
She walked over and knocked on the door, staying off to the side. Even though she wasn’t here to arrest anyone or for any
other law enforcement duties, she still followed protocol. You never knew who was up in the wilderness or what they were trying
to escape.
The camper door opened. A fit middle-aged lady with her hair tied back in a braid answered. Maya hoped this woman would understand
the risk and leave without any argument. As Maya was about ready to speak, a man came up behind the lady. Maya moved to the
side so she could see both of them. She didn’t think they were armed or dangerous, but you never knew.
“Sorry to bother you folks. I’m US Forest Service Officer Thompson and I am working on evacuating the campgrounds due to a fire that’s started just west of here. I need you both to pack up and head out as soon as possible.”
“We thought we smelled smoke,” the man said. “But we didn’t see anything so we figured it was maybe another campfire close
by.”
“Unfortunately, it is a fire. How soon do you think you could be out of here?”
The man glanced at his watch. “I just need to shut down everything in the camper, hook up and then we’ll be gone.”
“Shouldn’t take us long,” the woman said in agreement.
“I’ll wait for you so I can close the gate behind you,” Maya said. “If you need an extra hand, just let me know. Otherwise,
I’ll be in my vehicle so I can keep up on the fire response.”
“Thanks for letting us know,” the man said.
Maya turned around to walk back to her patrol SUV after they shut the door. As she approached her Tahoe, she heard the camper
door open and close again. Then footsteps behind her. She could see the lady’s reflection in the window of her patrol vehicle.
Juniper, not liking anyone getting close to her handler without permission, started barking. The sound was muffled since the
windows were up because she was in her air-conditioned compartment.
Maya turned around, hand staying near her duty belt and gun until she knew why the lady was approaching.
“Sorry to startle you,” the woman said. “It’s just, well .
. . there was a strange thing earlier and I don’t know.
My husband says I worry too much, but there was this family.
Something seemed off. They were near the outhouse and after they left, I went inside to use the bathroom and there was a message in what appeared to be blood. It said ‘Help.’”