Fire Hatch

A sizable percentage of the readership of this blog are people that either know me personally or from other forums.  If you fall into one of these categories, chances are you have heard me weigh in (likely more than once) on my opinion on eternally-maintained Fire Hatches.

For those unaware, a Fire Hatch is a small, low flame kept in a small cavity in out of the wind.  The intent is that there will always be fire readily available when needed, without having to use a flint or a match or a lighter.

That's all well and good, but for years I have been a pretty outspoken critic of the Fire Hatch philosophy.  Unless someone is going to continually maintain it, I have always maintained that this sort of operation is just more trouble than it's worth.  It takes more effort, more supplies (wasted kindling!) and more attention than benefit.  If a group has a man that can constantly maintain it, sure, I always said, I guess that's ok, although it seems like wasted effort for someone who could otherwise be out foraging or earning.

And don't get me started on the alternative--those of you who maintain a Fire Hatch on your own, without constant maintenance throughout the day (and night), you forever run the risk of having it die, having it be stolen, or--heaven forbid--burning down a city block or two.  It's happened!

But!  The Steam Men I am currently housing with have a dedicated Fire Hatch, and I must admit it is damn nice to have around.  Not only does it keep the area nice and warm, but it saves the annoyance of having to rustle up kindling when you're hungry, not to mention trying to start a fire in wet conditions.  Our Fire Hatch even constantly boils a pot of water, and I can't tell you how beautiful it is to have constant, easy access to hot water through the night and into the morning.  Coffee, anyone?

It does come at a price, as all Fire Hatches will, and I'm not saying I have completely reverted on my opinion in all respects.  It still seems silly to me to maintain a Fire Hatch by yourself or in a small group.  But there are 9 of us here in the old abandoned industrial complex, and each day one stays behind.  Not exclusively for the Fire Hatch, but to do basic homemaker type duties which includes stoking the Fire Hatch and collecting kindling.

I know I'm going to get a lot of "told you so!" e-mail messages, and that's fine.  I'll admit it, having a Fire Hatch handy is a luxory that will be difficult to ever break myself of--it's wonderful to have around.  But just be careful before you create one, and know that it certainly helps if it can be shared communally.

A Warm Place to Stay

Just a quick update on my winter lodging situation.  A few weeks ago I came across a Steam Man named Len fishing in the Donner Street sewer and asked to sit with him a while.  After a friendly conversation (and a thorough vetting), he invited me to stay the night at his industrial home--an old, abandoned factory, office and warehouse facility on 8th and Glenny once called "Cunningham Materials".  I guess they used to manufacture custom metal shelving units.

There are eight Steam Men in the group: Len, Matchsticks, Steam Kyle, Ratchet, Marbles, Tummy, Steam Bud and Sweat Nuts.  They call themselves Clear River Steamers.  I explained my dire situation--the fact that my home had been under the bridge but it's just too cold to stay there, and my medical condition makes me immobile at the moment.

Thankfully, they took pity on me and took me in.  Not as an official member, by any means, but as a semi-permanent guest until spring.  I have some extra dues that are expected of me to stay there, but the warm lodging, safety, companionship and social gravitas offered by the other men are well work the extra expenditures.  I could have found a way to survive the winter on my own, I am sure, but a warm, safe place to stay and a relatively friendly group will sure make the season easier to bear.

The stereotype about Steam men is that they enjoy tinkering with the abandoned equipment and other supplies harvested from their industrial settings.  That's obviously not true for everybody, but this group has done some interesting things with the leftover Cunningham Materials machinery.  Steam Bud is going to have me assist him in converting an old hydraulic press into a way to make soap.  Matchsticks found a big stack of damaged screen doors and has been repairing them for some reason, and Sweat Nuts is convinced he can get an enormous old backup generator up and running again.

Should be an interesting winter, will keep you updated!

In solidarity,