“Paxisms” – Straight talk with a message
Jim Paxon’s straight talk grabbed the attention of the world as it watched the Rodeo-Chediski
Fire attack Arizona forests and communities. As the spokesperson for that United
States Fire Service operation, Jim quickly became known as “The Fire Guy” and his
catchy, memorable descriptions dubbed as “Paxisms”. Here are a few from the weeks
spent battling and explaining the Rodeo-Chediski Fire:
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“It is hard to understand what 300-foot flames burn like.
This fire is burning as if someone poured gasoline on the trees, lit a match and
then turned on a giant fan,…only a million times bigger.”
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“Mother Nature is dealing the cards on the burning conditions
and it seems like she is dealing from the bottom of the deck. We sure got a losing
hand today.”
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“The fire literally kicked our butts today. Mother Nature
is very much in control and we cannot safely put firefighters in front of this fire
until it slows down.”
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“When one of these big smoke columns collapses, it is
like standing on a step ladder and pouring a 5-gallon bucket of water out all at
once. The water splashes and scatters in all directions, violently. Replace the
water with fire and make it a million times bigger.”
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“Ma’ Nature’s broom of fire sweeps the forest floors clean.
I’ll guarantee you that she’s doin’ a lot of sweepin’ with this fire.”
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