Summary

Chapter 11 draws the reader into examining Chief Troy Palmer's fiery world. He is based out of Fire Hall 3. He and a rather new recruit are steadily driving towards Fire 009. Before both men reach the fire, Vaillant takes time to describe a zone of collision called WUI. The WUI is the "wildland-urban interface; in other words, it is the area where the forest and the built environment meet. Fort McMurray is in this WUI, for its subdivisions and businesses are perched on the edge of a vast forest that burns as a means of regeneration. When firefighters deal with conflagrations in the WUI, the firefighting operation often becomes a lifesaving operation. This is exactly the case with the Fort McMurray fire. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are helping direct the traffic and knocking on doors to check that no inhabitants are left behind.

Chapter...