The fire turned out to be only 6-7 acres in size, never threatening any homes, no evacuations were made...it was just a brush fire burning in tinder-dry, red flag conditions. Which made the fact we weren't let close all the more shocking.

Here's a little background...

As I've blogged about before, I worked through 4 intense fire seasons in Northern California -- and under state law, was always allowed to get as close to the flames as I deemed safe. The law is filed under California Civil Code 409.5, and basically says, with the exception of crime scenes, journalists are allowed to get as close as we want to any newsworthy situation -- where normal civilians are held back -- so we can do our job.

First, let me say, I'm not trying to bash the Hampton Fire Department -- the firefighters and fire marshals were more than helpful to get us the information we needed about the small brush fire. In fact, I can't thank Anne Marie Loughran enough for coming out to give Beth and I an interview we so desperately needed to get our story off the ground.

But, with Virginia Codes keeping journalists away from the scene of wildfires -- the state is really doing itself a disservice. Year after year, fire after fire in Northern California -- our crews were able to get deep into the heart of a fire and either call in or bring back detailed information about what homes were still standing, streets that were affected, others that weren't. Our work kept homeowners off the back of firefighters trying to focus on their job -- fighting fire, while we spent our time doing what we as journalists do best -- gathering and relaying information to the viewers at home. More times than I can count on two hands and two feet, I would call a command center (the central nervous system for wildfire operations) for the latest information and they would say, "We're getting it from you."

409.5 made my work more productive in other ways. By allowing journalists to get closer to their subject, the real story can be found. Like Saturday, I would've loved to talk to the owner of a bulldozer who attempted cut a fire line and stop the flames from advancing, but couldn't get close enough to figure out where he/she lived. That's how you tell any story, on a personal level -- finding out what makes people tick and rise to greater causes -- like trying to stop an approaching brushfire yourself.

I know that I'm just one journalist. I'm not the first and I certainly won't be the last to question the lack of access for journalists to breaking news situations. I can't help but pose questions about the way things are done. It's my job.