Sept 9

AVAILABILITY
FL 04 - UNAVAILABLE - GULCH FIRE, SHF
FL 05 - UNAVAILABLE - ELMORE FIRE, SHF
FL 06 - AVAILABLE - Pre-Alert to the Gulf Coast - Hurricane Support
FL 07 - HURRICANE GUSTAV SUPPORT - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

**HURRICANE IKE UPDATE**
It looks like Ike is drifting south. Everybody is still unsure of the exact path he will take. He is just now starting into the Gulf of Mexico. The warm waters of the Gulf should make things grow. The next 24 hours will reveal a lot more information. We have an evacuation plan in place. If the projected winds reach 40+mph, everyone in this camp will move north, away from here. There is just way too much debris to blow in the wind. A sheet of plywood flying through the air at 40mph could ruin your entire day.

After Ike blows through, we will start rotating personnel. Two weeks sitting here in the heat is enough for anybody.

The best thing about this area is the lack of flies. I have seen a few here and there, but for the most part....nothing. Mosquitoes are buzzing around every once in a while, but no flies.

Yesterday a very fast moving storm hit here, late in the afternoon. Wind, lightning, rain, wind and wind....did I mention the wind? Then as suddenly as it started....it stopped. The temperature rose back up, as did the humidity. It was like sitting in a giant steam bath. The only thing missing were the little fat men with white towels rapped around them. (ooh...that's a visual).

More storms are predicted for today. Right now it is hot and humid.

Dj