Some days are more interesting than others…
Yesterday started off normal enough, a cup of coffee in the morning and a quick goodbye to my wife and kids. I started my day with a quick trip over the hill to check out a vineyard with Mouvedre and Viognier. After a few barrel samples we walked the vineyard to take a look at the different blocks. We said our goodbyes and it was off to the winery for me. 
I looked through a couple of emails, and around lunch time a packed up a case of wine to ship. This is when the day got interesting.
My wife calls and asks “Where are you?” Just about to drop off some wine… “Well the backyard is onfire!” WHAT?!?! “The fire is all out back and the fire department is here. It hasn’t hit the vineyard yet, but its close!” I am on my way!
When I got home (about 10 minutes away), I see my neighborsin the back with garden hoses keeping the fire out of the vineyard and awayfrom our properties. The smoke wasthick, but the fire had just passed by. Helicopters were circling and dropping water on an area out of sightbecause of the smoke. I joined in withmy own garden hose, to help my neighbor out with the flames creeping down hisproperty line. In total I counted 3helicopters (two with water) and two DC-10s circling and dropping water.
The fire crews drove by, pushing to contain the fire beforeit headed into a subdivision up the hill. There were a couple of “booms” (propane tanks?) as the fire did burn anout building from a house a couple of doors down.
All in all the fire took about 15 acres and 2 out buildings(tool sheds). My thanks to my neighborsand the fire department for acting so quickly in controlling the blaze!
The vineyard in the pictures is the Madison Chase Vineyard. The fire was within 20 feet from the back and did creep down the property line on the right. A little too close for comfort!Cheers
Eric
You couldn't wait until we got there to have a fire?Would have been a great story from my vacation. See you tomorrow!
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