By Cindy Gladden, Record Staff Writer
Being in the woods is a natural place for area foresters of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) as they tend to the trees on conservation properties. Being in the woods while they are on fire is something they do for the adventure.Jeff Bakameyer, Tracy Prenger and Lafe Schweissguth normally staff the Warren and Lincoln County offices of the forestry division of MDC located in Warrenton.In addition to their normal duties, they listen for the call from the U.S. Forest Service to pack their gear and head to wildfires that can threaten many parts of the country each summer.“It’s a voluntary thing we choose to do as part of our job,” said Bakameyer. “We do it for the adventure, to see new places, to feel good about helping out and to experience the teamwork and camaraderie that goes with it.”In order to be qualified to fight a wildfire, the forester must hold a “red card,” showing they have taken necessary training to participate. Course work includes wildfire training, fire behavior and working as a team to combat the unpredictable fires.Prenger, petite at only 5-foot and weighing not much more than her gear, says the crew also must take a pack test annually.“You carry a 45-pound pack 3 miles in 45 minutes,” she said.When asked what it’s like to be in the small minority of women fighting the fires, Prenger said, “I just hold my own.”Schweissguth said the forester firefighters work 14-16 days, staying at camps nearby where meals are provided, or helping themselves to MREs (meals ready to eat) at a temporary camp.“The first trip out you are nervous about a lot of things,” said Bakameyer. “The biggest danger is not necessarily the fire, but other hazards like falling trees and steep terrain.”All three foresters leave family waiting at home when they sign on – spouses and a combined total of six children.To keep in touch with his kids and add a bit of levity, Bakameyer took small stuffed animals along and posted their photos daily on Facebook in a variety of places along the trail.“You are worried until you get there,” said Schweissguth. “Then you just want to get this done.”Schweissguth traveled to Montana in 2015, fighting fires near the Salish and Kootenai tribes in western Montana. Sparked by area storms, the Melton Fire No. 1 burned more than 3,000 acres. Schweissguth said it was 1 1/2-mile hike each day just to get to the fire.Prenger recently returned from fighting two fires — the Deep North Fire in the state of Washington and the Rail Fire in Oregon.“The Rail Fire was pretty hard on me,” said Prenger. “It was super steep.”Prenger said she felt better knowing her team would never leave anyone behind. She said the crews are very professional and look out for each other in the challenging terrain.Bakameyer has made a total of nine trips, the latest in August at the Roaring Lion Fire, southwest of Hamilton, Mont. Fire officials reported this was a “hot and fast-moving fire” fueled by high winds blowing through the canyon.Fighting wildfires is over this year for the Warren County team. They are back to the real world, educating students about trees and wildlife, consulting with property owners about trees and gearing up to perform winter seasonal work on a combined 7,800 acres of conservation area.Soon the trio will head out to Reifsnider State Forest, Lost Creek or Daniel Boone conservation areas to tend to the health of the forests. The goal will be to bring as much sunlight to the forest floor by taking out poor quality or unhealthy trees.“It’s kind of like weeding your garden,” said Bakameyer. “This is weeding the forest.”It’s obvious they love what they do, working in the quiet outdoor environment many people with desk jobs could envy. Fighting wildfires adds a little spark to their careers.“For as hard as we work,” said Schweissguth, “it is an absolute blast.”Local Missouri Conservation Department foresters, headquartered in Warrenton, volunteer to fight fires in the western and northern United States. Pictured, from left, are Jeff Bakameyer, Tracy Prenger and Lafe Schweissguth. Cindy Gladden photo.
Jeff Bakameyer, Marthasville, spent two weeks near Hamilton, Mont., fighting the Roaring Lioni Wildfire. Bakameyer said his crew carried in all their gear, tools and more than a mile of hose to the scene. Submitted photo.
