Page 42 of Embers of Love

“Aye aye, Chief,” Ember replied.

Elle was already altering their course.

“It’s nice having you back,” Haley said, rubbing Ember’s shoulder. The genuineness in her voice made Ember tear up slightly. She’d missed this, the camaraderie, the sisterhood, and the feeling of actually doing something for the greater good and saving lives.

“Thank you,” she looked at each of them. “I’m grateful to all of you for looking out for me.”

Elle smiled though her eyes remained glued to road.

“We’re happy to look out for you, Ember. Wish you would help us out by looking out for you too.”

She nodded. This was what Leilani meant when she said Ember would understand. She did. Ember pictured one of her colleagues charging into a building like she had been doing.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so blind.”

Leilani scooted close to her and took her hand. There was a knowing look in her eyes.

“You’re not alone, Ember. Remember that we agreed to take these risks with you.”

Ember squeezed Leilani’s hand back. The accusing voice in her head was quiet this time around. No glaring eyes in the shadows either. She was at peace, despite the chaos.

While Ember’s mother was directing the battle against the flames, she was going to do her part in the fight. The fire had already taken a few homes before they arrived on the scene. The forest was aflame behind them as the roads were packed with fleeing residents. They had to pick their way through the throng of cars littering the roads.

Engine two was already on scene. Kiera, Zara, and Captain Jenna were doing their best to keep the fire from spreading further. The captain took charge the moment they arrived.

“Position the truck down at the end of Road Thirty-Four. Ember, you and Haley work your way up from there, make sure all the houses are evacuated while we try to keep these homes from burning to the ground.”

They barely had any time to respond before Elle barreled her way down to their position. Ember hopped out of the truck, the heat and smoke hit her immediately. It was familiar territory. Her mind was at ease as she took in everything.

She glanced west, the fire didn’t show any indication of spreading that way for now, but the wind could change that at any moment. Farcy’s home was in that direction. He should have gotten out by now. Ember prayed for his safety as she went blitzing through the houses, checking to make sure there was nobody still in them. The homes were so tightly packed together, she was forced to be more thorough to make sure she didn’t miss anything. If the fire got to this area, it would be devastating.

She joined Jenna at the junction.

“Houses are clear.”

“Good,” Jenna acknowledged. She seemed to study the fire burning in the distance for a moment. Ember could see her mental gears turning and knew the conclusion she was going to reach.

“Backfiring?” Ember said, knowing that that was what the captain was thinking.

“Yeah, we need to burn away all the vegetation in the area so the fire doesn’t have any fuel. At least, not in this direction. Grab a cannister from the truck, we’ll have engine two filled up and ready to escort you. You’re going in with Zara, Kiera, and Haley.”

Ember was moving as fast as she could. Backfiring was one easy way to keep wildfires from spreading. Fire needed fuel to burn and by depriving it of that, it would have no choice but to go out. They had to do it quickly, however, if the fire arrived before they were done, all of their work would have been for naught.

They had to make their way deep beyond the edge of the woods. The fire truck was parked some distance away, to make sure it would reach them in time to contain the fire. If they didn’t do this right, they could potentially cause the fire to go out of control.

They were at it for about half an hour before the radio attached to Ember’s shoulder hissed and Jenna’s voice came through.

“Ladies, wind just bought us a little more time. It’s blowing west, the fire’s gone over the hill, headed west. Hopefully, they’ll have better luck on that end.”

Ember stopped.

“Old man Farcy lives up in that area. Has anyone made sure he made it out?”

Jenna’s response came through the radio.

“I’m not sure. I’ll contact the team handling west, up by the creek, see if they spotted him leaving.”

Ember could feel the wind now. It was increasing in strength. That meant the fire was going to spread quicker due to the increased supply of oxygen. She was beginning to worry. Perhaps the wind changing directions was not such a blessing…

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