Burning

Perhaps because I grew up in a generally wetter climate, I've never really feared forest fires. Sure, I remember Smokey the Bear's warnings, and the fire in Bambi's story was pretty devastating, but forest fires always felt like they happened somewhere else. In fact, I remember after the Yellowstone fires how many people were talking about the good that fires can bring, how they revitalize their ecosystems, and why we should let natural fires burn so that the forests don't build up dead wood that will bring even bigger fires.

While this current fire season has not completely changed my feelings and fears, it has certainly made me more aware of the problems and dangers that can come with these kinds of fires. Currently, our only land route that leads off the peninsula is threatened by a massive forest fire. As I write this, the road has only been reopened for a few hours with the warning that it could be closed again at any time. We have not received any postal trucks for the past three days, so mail is not getting in or out. I don't know if any grocery trucks have made it through, but Freddy's was already starting to look picked-over on Monday. Travelling sports events have been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the smoke has made outdoor activities much more difficult. The boys' school is not allowing students outside during the school day. Many people, such as myself, are stuck with a stubborn cough. Thankfully it has cooled off a bit so keeping our windows shut doesn't make me think we are trying to bake ourselves.

It has been a hot, dry summer. Although that has been great for outdoor activities most of the summer, it has also increased the fire hazard in the area. While I enjoy the sun, I wouldn't mind if it decided to rain a bit.