A sad day in Idaho ..
What an extraordinarily sad day this was: 1. I learned that both pilots in yesterday’s crash of the Chinook helicopter fighting our “Moose” fire have died; 2. I turned in my Yale key and radio gear ; 3. I signed my resignation letter from the US Forest Service, and; 4. I ended my career as a fire lookout.
But the helicopter crash, and the deaths of two heroic pilots, eclipse everything else. These pilots were doing very dangerous work fighting a fire that did not have to happen. The Moose fire was human caused. It was started by an abandoned campfire.
The Moose fire will continue to inflict mayhem .. maybe worse. Because of selfish jerks and their campfire.
Due to the terms of my resignation, I’ll be around Challis for a few more days. Then, I’ll probably take a more direct route home to SC than previously described. The wind is out of my sails.
Challis, Idaho
July 22, 2022
= new reply since forum marked as read
We'll ALWAYS think of you doing your great work, and providing us all with great pics.
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.
Condolences to the families of those heroes. 
I hope you find happiness in the next stage of your life.
In remembrance of the 2 brave pilots. 
I was a RE Broker for 25 years...it was difficult to leave that life, but I retired, bought a new RV and have traveled from coast to coast across Canada & the U.S.
You'll find new horizons, but whatever you do, PLEASE do not quit posting your wonderful photos of what you see through your artists eyes. I've never tired of seeing your shots, and will miss the shots you took from your lookout.
You have a unique talent and an incredible eye for memorable photographs. I beg you, please keep us updated with your health problems (may they go away quickly)..but even more so with you beautiful camera shots.
So terribly sorry for the loss of your colleagues.
Having had my time with USFS cut far too short due, mostly to my physical issues, and feeling defeated.
And the two pilots, my frmr smokejumper pal told me about that this morning, it impacts everyone who's ever been involved in fire fighting in any position.
I’m so so so sorry for the loss of these pilots and the end of your career with the Forest Service.
As the child of a career USFS employee…fire season is a weird and scary time. Even after my dad retired, he drove a helitac support unit for a private contractor. Wild land firefighting is in the blood and it never left him until he died.
I’m holding you in my thoughts during these hard days. Thank you for your work protecting lives and homes. 
My deepest condolences on the deaths of those two brave pilots. How heartbreaking for all involved.
And for you to resign from the US Forest Service on that same day! And to end your fire lookout career too. Very tough for you, dear Bo.
Please take care of yourself. Rest and be well.
for the pilots
selfish jerks and their campfire. That was just the latest offense.
I'm sorry Idaho is losing you. Fire lookouts serve us all, AND all creatures great and small. You're a blessing and an absolute necessity, and probably more often than you know, preventers of bigger disasters. Thank God they're there!!! And Thank God YOU were, too!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this VITAL service you performed, Bo Zarts! You made a difference, whether you realize it or not. This was IMMENSE and INTENSE, life-saving and life-sustaining work you did. It's DEEPLY appreciated.
I know you loved this work. Wishing you all the best in the days to come.
As others have mentioned upthread, I hope you'll still stay in the DU community.
