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Show 72 cars to watch the drama. Park o f f i c i a l s reconsidered the "let burn" decision, mostly because the f i r e was spreading close to e l e c t r i c power lines, and a power shutoff would cause major problems on the Fourth of July weekend. They decided to call in f i r e crews to put out the blaze. Firefighters pumped water from a small stream belovi the slope while additional water was being dropped from a large bucket suspended beneath a helicopter. The helicopter flew to the nearest lake, dipped down to lower the bucket into the water, then flevi back to the fire; a sophisticated adaptation of the old-fashioned bucket brigade. A week l a t e r , the l a s t "smokes" viere out. Although that particular fire plan had been written before Firebase began operating, planning is s t i l l going on for other public lands. Firebase makes i t easier. Many factors have to be considered: the steepness of mountains and vihat kinds of vehicles can climb them, possible danger to people and buildings, the effect on wildlife if their homes are destroyed, and dozens of other circumstances. By the end of 1980, Firebase had that information in the 6,000 documents stored in i t s computer. |