JOHN DAY — They started out of the back of a pick-up truck with a tent and a camp stove.

Now, Bill and Janet Robertson make almost 700 meals a day and pack 1,100 lunches to feed the firefighters fighting the Canyon Creek Complex fire.

The former owners of the Outpost restaurant usually cater events with 150 to 300 guests. The hours are pretty normal.

But during fire season — and the past 20 years of fire seasons — that “normal” life comes to a halt.

“We get up at 2 or 3 a.m., and we’re working until 11 or 12 at night,” said Janet. “Some days, we don’t get any sleep at all.”

They have cooked at plenty of fire scenes, she said.

“But never one this size.”

They’re getting help from local businesses. Chester’s Thriftway makes donuts every morning. The Outpost helps out with some of the cooking. It’s a way to keep money in the community, Janet said.

Most of the food, however, comes from Sysco. A truck delivers products every day.

Then comes the preparation: Provide breakfast from 5 to 9 a.m. Pack lunches (10 percent are vegetarian) before noon. Serve dinner from 5 to 11 p.m.

And feed the firefighters they do. Breakfasts consist of bacon and eggs, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy.

For dinner, they offer barbequed steak, pot roast, fried chicken, pork chops, a full salad bar and a full dessert bar.

The firefighters deserve good meals, Janet said.

“They work very hard and long hours. They’re in danger working to save our properties.”

The work is a family affair, said Bill, who pointed to his granddaughter, grandson and daughter, all working on various chores at the east end of the Pavilion, where the Robertsons have set up shop.

“We just came off two other fires — Murderers Creek for five days and a 24-hour contract all night at Beulah Reservoir.”

The Robertsons get to know some of the firefighters, who come from all over the United States. Sometimes they see them another year on another fire.

Despite the long hours and encounters with rattlesnakes and cougars in some camps, Bill said he enjoys the experience.

“We love it,” he said. “We try to make it fun. It’s all about the firefighters. They’re away from home. We try to make it comfortable for them.”