Page 18 of Passions Ignite

Everyone was in motion, grabbing their equipment and heading to the trucks. Zoey moved quickly, pulling on her gear with practiced ease. Her hands were steady and her mind sharp, but the memory of Lux’s closeness lingered in the back of her mind.

“Gear up!” she called out through the chaos. “We need to move now.”

The ride to the fire was tense, the sirens blaring as they sped through the streets. Zoey was in the passenger seat while Marshall drove, her eyes scanning the horizon as they approached the smoke rising in the distance. She could feel the heat even before they arrived, and the air was thick with the scent of burning wood.

As they pulled up to the scene, Zoey jumped out of the truck, her boots hitting the ground with a thud. The fire was worse than she had expected. The flames towered above the trees, andthe heat was intense. Her team was right behind her, ready for action.

“Everyone, listen up!” Zoey said, her voice loud over the roar of the flames. “We need to establish a perimeter and start containment. Keep an eye out for any civilians. We don’t know if anyone’s still out there.”

Her team nodded, spreading out as they moved toward the fire. Zoey grabbed her radio, checking in with the other units. “This is Lieutenant Zoey Knight. Phoenix Ridge 13 on site and beginning containment efforts.”

The response came through quickly, and the other teams coordinated their efforts. Zoey moved with her team, directing them as they laid down firebreaks and set up hoses. The flames were relentless and the heat oppressive, but Zoey was in her element.

The fire was spreading fast, the wind pushing it through the forest at an alarming rate. Zoey could see the urgency in her team’s eyes, but she kept them steady, guiding them through each step. They were making progress, but it was slow as the fire consumed everything in its path.

Zoey wiped the sweat from her brow, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble. Her radio crackled to life, and Ramirez’s voice came from the other end.

“We’ve got a spot fire near the northern perimeter. It’s moving fast. Requesting backup.”

Zoey turned to her team, assessing their progress. They were holding the line, but just barely. She had to make a call.

“Ramirez, take the trucks and head to the northern perimeter,” Zoey said. “Contain that spot fire before it gets out of control.”

Zoey stayed with her team, pushing them to keep the fire from spreading any farther. The smoke was thick, the heat almost unbearable, but Zoey didn’t let up.

About half an hour later, they had managed to slow the spread, but the fire wasn’t out yet. Zoey could feel exhaustion setting in, but she didn’t stop.

The radio crackled again, and Zoey grabbed it. Ramirez’s voice came over the line. “Lieutenant, we’ve got civilians trapped near the eastern edge. They’re cut off by the fire.”

Zoey’s heart skipped and her mind raced as she considered the options. The fire was still spreading, and pulling resources away could mean losing containment.

“Where’s the nearest unit?” Zoey asked. Containment be damned. She’d rather that than lose anyone else.

“The nearest unit is ten minutes out, but the fire’s closing in fast. They won’t make it in time.”

“What about air support?”

“We should have them over the zone any time now. I only fear it’ll be too late.”

Zoey’s heart raced. If the helicopters weren’t up just yet, then there was no saving those civilians.

Not again.

“Hold the line here. Keep pushing containment,” Zoey breathed into the receiver.

“Lieutenant?”

“I said hold the line,” Zoey repeated. “I’m going in.”

She grabbed her gear and headed toward the eastern edge, her team moving to cover her as she went. The smoke was thicker here, the flames closer, but Zoey didn’t hesitate. She moved quickly, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of the trapped civilians. Leilani Silva joined in.

As they approached, she could see the group huddled together as the fire surrounded them. They were panic-stricken, their faces covered in soot, fear evident in their eyes. Zoey moved closer, momentarily stunned by a sudden wave of déjà vu.

“We’re with the fire department! You’re all going to be safe, okay?”

She could see the relief in their faces, but the fire was closing in fast. Zoey had to act quickly. She and Silva led them toward a break in the flames, the heat intense as they moved through the narrow path she had cleared.

The flames were close, too close, but Zoey kept them moving, urging them forward. Her heart pounded and adrenaline surged as they made their way out of the fire’s grasp. When they finally broke free, the civilians stumbled into the open, gasping for air.

---