Not long back in Siem Reap after an unexpected trip to Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. We got a call up on Thursday last that it was all hands on deck due to the fires now threatening the main buildings after burning through the jungle to the south.

On arrival at CWS on Friday I dropped my bags, got handed a shovel and pointed in the direction of the flames. The fires had reached within 10m of the Rangers accommodation – where they stay with their families. Thankfully the fire at that location was almost under control and it didn’t takes long to finish it off. Sadly the damage to the jungle and soroundings was severe, but nobody was injured and the houses saved.

The next two days were a blur. I approximate about 40km of walking through sometimes impossible jungle as we patrolled the 25,000 acre sanctuary. Where pathways existed they were often soft sand underfoot due to the lack of rain, the heat was intense. One of the problems is simply accessing the fires. Once off the path the vines tie you up, if not cut you up, with inch long thorns. The scrub has to be hacked away to gain a path, 20mins of hard effort to go 10m in.

Over the days we put out 4 to 5 blazes. There was a certain calm as we left, but the ground is bone dry, so much tinder is lying throughout the jungle and the tall grass (3 or 4m) is everywhere and dry like everything.

On the plus side we saw or heard evidence of deer, gibbons, bears, monkeys, and large cats which would be some leopard or  panther type. So the animals are coming back, there is a feeling they know it is a safe place as they do not hear each other warning of hunters. That said, with the return of the wildlife the Rangers must be ever more vigilant.

It is a hard season and I have so much respect for the staff and rangers who fearlessly fight the fires. I looked at some blazes and thought that we can not win against what I was seeing – but win we did thanks to those guys.

I don’t have much in the way of photos, there just wasn’t time. This one shot was taken as we rested though one 16km patrol, I think it sums a lot up nicely. Not much being said as everyone recovered in their own thoughts.

For now, back in Siem Reap, hot fires exchanged for hot showers, and an early sleep! Nice to have wifi again too!

Adventurer!

Photo credit Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.