A hero at the fire

August 27, 2015

(Editor's Note: This letter was received from Ms. Downing shortly after the Parker Ridge Fire broke out across the West Side Road. We apologize for the delay in its publication on our website). August 15, 2015 To the Editor: I give you Victor Amoth and his boys Dallas, Chris, and Vance. I didn't hear their stories but his was a word picture. I could visualize the biggest flames he'd ever seen and he's fought fire for years. He spoke of winds so strong he could barely stand. Fire so quick that a ten bottom plow line didn't slow the fire a moment. Frightened cattle that milled but could not find a way past the fence. It was so hot, the cows may have suffered burns, so Victor drove a truck through the fence to free them. He spoke of running as fast as he could; he has to be near 70 years. He fell in the fire where he burned his arm. Yet in the midst of this constant horrendous work in the face of catastrophic fire, humor. His partner backed his truck up into Victor and their bumpers locked. In the excitement, Victor couldn't find reverse quick enough to avoid the collision. The lead truck finally just slammed it into gear to go forward, finally unlocking the bumpers. He went to bed about 4:00 a.m. after the rain. These men and all the men like him who risked life and limb to protect people, animals, and property can not be thanked enough! Where would we be without them all. You know who you are. Until you get a better one in heaven...Thank You! Vicki D. Downing