Braving fire

When the Old Fire burned near Running Springs in 2003, Gary and Susa Keddy did what was recommended: They evacuated their homes and motel, the Giant Oaks Lodge on Hilltop Boulevard, otherwise known as Highway 18.

This time, however, they opted to stay put and tough the Slide Fire out. The blaze burned to the edge of the highway about 10 a.m. Thursday, directly across the street from the motel the couple has owned and operated the last 17 years.

"We have a good exit strategy: Hit Highway 16 and get out of here," said Susa Keddy Thursday night from the porch of the lodge, in the 32000 block of Hilltop Boulevard.

Fire engines lined the highway in front of their motel about 10 a.m. Thursday as the fire advanced through the canyon and up the mountainside.

"We had a whole line in here and the hot shots in here," said Gary Keddy, walking through the burned area across the highway from his motel and pointing with a flashlight to the firehose that lay on the ground marking the perimeter of the burn area just a couple of yards from the highway.

"Obviously, they think the fire might come back because their hoses are still here," he said. He said he and his wife felt pretty secure, despite the fire coming just yards from their business and home. "They were probably here in their truck until 4 o'clock this afternoon. They had hand tools and saws, and were in here digging line. They were incredible."

Within minutes, the firefighters were lined up and were cutting line and dousing the blaze with water, increasing the Keddy's comfort level considerably.

"They were right on target. They knew exactly where to go and what to do," Keddy said. "The coordination they have is just awesome."

He said he and his wife opted not to evacuate this time because they had no place to go and were concerned about their home and business.

"It's more than a home, it's our whole livelihood," Keddy said.

Meanwhile, firefighters stayed busy Thursday night following an overnight action plan that called for mopping up around the burned homes and digging fire line.

The progression of the fire moved through Running Springs toward the Snow Valley ski resport, where a base camp was set up for firefighters. Heavy smoke obscured visibility between Arrowbear and Snow Valley, and small spot fires resembling campfires dotted the mountainsides.

"The fire backed down to this area yesterday, and we're going to make sure no snags come down and hit the road and watch for flare-ups," said U.S. Forest Service Capt. Karen Morse of the Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon.

Joe Nelson, joe.nelson@sbsun.com 10:26 p.m.