Fighting Blazing Flames

A few days after arriving we, the Pinans, were given the option to learn how to make bamboo baskets from some of the most renowned teachers in the village. It sounded like an incredible opportunity so we all agreed. The baskets that we made would be used the following week to hold gifts for all the teachers of the village; a Lanna tradition which takes place every year over Songkran (new year). We were all excited and planned to begin the following day.

But first we had to get the bamboo to make these baskets, which involved us going into the forest and searching for this particular bamboo tree that is used for baskets and other bamboo products. So late that afternoon we all grabbed a machete and followed Pinan Jim to see what this tree looked like and what characteristics it had. There were heaps of bamboo trees all around us and with a quick explanation of this particular one being more green, bends over and has leaves at the top we set out to find and chop five joints each.

What seemed clear enough was the complete opposite and after spending over an hour in the forest, chopping a huge bamboo tree down with my machete, dragging it back to the farm and was then told it wasnt the correct type. I felt rather devastated and quickly went back before it became too dark and managed to find two bamboo trees, hoping they were correct, just before 19h00. They were and we all seemed to have enough bamboo between all of us even if one of the trees was not the exact type we needed.

I quickly went for a shower and helped prepare dinner in the kitchen and around 20h00 just as we were all ready to sit down...flames were spotted just above the forest we were in earlier that day. Before I knew it we were all gathering rakes and spades and running back to the forest to the fire. One of the long term volunteers knew where we had to go so with head torches and rather questionable fire fighting equipment we found our way to the fire. It went on around the mountain to areas where couldnt see. So we all began raking dead leaves, grass and anything in the way of the fire break as quickly as possible whilst moving out further.

The adrenalin was pumping to limits I have not quite experienced and my head was all over the show wondering if this was going to work. Soon enough we were split into two groups (one moved in either direction around the flaming area) and we were raking our hearts out but the flames just seemed to be coming closer...eventually an Australian in our team went up to the flames and started raking them backwards so it would die out and it worked!

We then split again and I found myself doing the same thing with my rake along with another Pinan. We were moving as quickly along the blazing flames as we could but the heat was scorching. The sweat was dripping off in buckets as we raked away, trying all we could to push it back firstly without burning but even more so before it hit a tall area of dry grass. Once we reached this area, the flames were already just below my hip and I struggled to go close to them to push them backwards...and before I knew it my rake had melted off the pole.

We were now one tool down and the rest of our team was out of sight. Never the less we continued and thankfully after not too much longer the other two Pinans came back and started helping us. We raked and squashed and hit the flames but it was just getting bigger to the side we were working towards. A voice came from the darkness shouting out to us to come back...we were all so confused and didnt know what was going on. We quickly moved back and found some of the Pinans who told us Pinan Jim had started numerous fires a bit lower than the fire which would meet and then burn out.

Our walk back to the farm was in haste completing one of the fire breaks and raking away everything in its path. By the time we got back, after two hours, we sat down for dinner in silence in complete disbelief of what had just happened. We were then told that this is a regular attempt from thieves to start fires on the farm and then rob the bamboo huts us Pinans stay in. I had not realised that two Pinans were not with us when we were fighting the fire but had remained behind to keep an eye out. They had seen torches coming through from one of the back roads and when they checked it out the suspects in question were gone. I was so grateful as I had left all my valuables in the communal area, without even thinking when I ran off with my rake. They were all in tact!

It was definitely an eventful day and I never took this Work Away opportunity thinking I would have to fight blazing flames or learn a method of how to burn it out. But it was an experience I wont forget, especially how we all pulled together and worked as a team. It was quite something special to be a part of...sounds strange but it is true!