Musher Tim Osmar badly hurt trying to save homes from fire

Anchorage Daily News ^ | June 25, 2007 | Katie Peznecker

[skeptoid]

Iditarod musher Tim Osmar dodged a roadblock barring access to the Caribou Hills wildfire and headed off-road on a four-wheeler some 15 miles to reach his two-story house near Ninilchik -- smack in the fire danger zone. Musher Tim Osmar of Ninilchik was thrown from his four-wheeler and smashed his ankle and leg.

Tim saved his home -- and his father's -- from the inferno that has charred 52,000 acres and taken 35 homes since Tuesday. But near the end of a long day of clearing brush and dousing walls, of facing down the hungry, moving flames, Osmar shattered his right ankle and broke his leg in 15 places, said Tim's father, Dean Osmar, by phone Sunday.

Tim Osmar's decision to violate official edicts and slip around the roadblock is one many in Caribou Hills have faced this past week.

The wildfire marching through woodlands near Ninilchik destroyed dozens of cabins and homes and menaced hundreds of others.

People had to decide: Flee, or fight. For many, it was an all-or-nothing choice. Residents have reported it's nearly impossible to get some Caribou Hills structures insured because fire danger is so high, and most remote buildings stand far beyond municipal fire protection. Sometimes, the only protection a rural homeowner has is his own determination and water supply.

[skeptoid]

The man is down and in a pinch.

"He definitely saved his house and saved my main cabin by going through the roadblock," Dean said.

Doctors operated on Tim and say he likely faces more surgery. On Sunday, he was at his trailer at Humpy Point, resting.

"He doesn't have any insurance and he's completely broke," Dean said. "It's going to be a tough deal on him."

Tim and his wife, Tawny, have four children: Nicole, 18; David 16; Daniel, 14; and Merissa, 12. He was born and raised on the Kenai Peninsula.

A three-time Junior Iditarod winner, he also ran the Iditarod more than 20 times, including in 2006 when he served as "visual interpreter" and guide for legally blind musher Rachael Scdoris. Tim helped her to the finish line. This year, he finished 34th.

But fishing provides the real support for Tim's family. Now, with his injuries, he will have to run his fish site from shore and count on his crew.

"He's coping fine, and he's in some pain," Dean said. "The worst thing is realizing he's not going to be on that boat fishing this summer."

[cardinal4]

I have been to Ninilchik, there is a Russian village there..

[RightWhale]

This could have been appended to the existing wildfire thread.

[pandoraou812]

Prayers for Tim & his family. ~P~

[-=SoylentSquirrel=-]

That a goverment official has the power to prevent you from saving your house from fire seems... I dunno, un-American.

[Red Badger]

Sometimes a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do........

[wanderin]

Sometimes a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do........Yes, sometimes choices are hard.

I feel for him, but why on earth did he not clear his land prior to the fire?

When I lived in a high fire area it was cleared asap and more than the minimum requirement.

[dennisw]

Good luck and healing to Tim. He looks like a man’s man.

[kenth]

Prayers for a fast recovery for him.

If a man wants to try to save his home, who is the government to try to prevent him?

[skeptoid]

...And I'll bet it should have been in a different forum, eh?

I searched about six combos, but neglected to use the term 'wildfire' because it wasn't in the title.

I've been spendingwa-a-a-a-y too much time here as it is.