Our assignment desk isn’t accustomed to photographers volunteering for anything. I’ve been working for CBS2 and KCAL9 since mid 1996.

You’d think they’d be used to me by now.

Going to work early Thursday afternoon, I knew there was a pretty good chance I’d be sent out to cover the big fire burning out near Banning.

It took them a while, but somebody finally decided to have me load up in the SAT truck and head out.

Woo-hooo!

I never made it to the Silver Fire.  Before I’d even gotten past Glendale, I got the call to head up to Wrightwood where another fire was threatening homes and evacuations were in progress.

The smoke could be seen from the 15 Freeway and I found that the firefighting efforts were making a great show for the residents of the area.

It was tricky getting into a good position for the live shots.  Some of the people guarding the roads were already riled up by the way other media crews were pushing for greater access to the fire area.

It’s tough when you have volunteers being told to keep everyone out aren’t told that doesn’t necessarily mean news crews.

They let me into the area without too much trouble, possibly thanks to my superior powers of smooth-talking.

Nah, that can’t be it.  I have no powers of smooth-talking, superior or otherwise.

Anyway, I got in, shot some quick video of the fire and the folks milling about.  The crew assigned to me arrived and we set about the job of getting the story on TV.

I made a dub of the material I shot, they added that to what they had gathered on the way in and cut a package.

We easily managed to make air at 10pm and 11pm.

One resident of the area came over and mentioned to me about the wildlife coming down off the higher elevation because of the fire.

Yeah, we’re talking bears.

It might be too much information, but it brings up the issue of whether or not a photographer will sh** in the woods.

Speaking totally from experience, I guarantee you, not if there might be bears around.

Things got interesting after the 11pm newscast.  I got a call from the desk and was asked if I could stay in the area overnight to cover the early morning shift.

That’s not an easy thing to do.  I’d be monitoring the fire and have to keep one bleary eye open in case I needed to move the SAT truck (possibly very quickly to let the fire guys do their thing).

There wouldn’t be enough time really to get any sleep.

There’s still the issue of bears and bathroom breaks to deal with.

It wasn’t ever really in doubt.

I said, “Sure.”

(Part Two coming up, but I have to get a little yard work done.  TTFN!)