Forest Fires.

Posted on July 19, 2019 by

64 Comments

Greetings everyone all around this world of ours.  It has turned out to be a beautiful day again.  The temp actually made it to 26 or 79F and with the humidity if felt like 30 or 86F. So not a bad day, and the sun is shining brightly.  That is not always the case around here.  This is a forested area.  This town is carved out of the forest.  And that means that forest fires are a common thing around here.  Every year much of our forest is lost to fires.  And a lot of that is due to human carelessness.  And that is sad.

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One day the smoke from forest fires starts to come in, it got worse than this.

Our summer began very dry this year.  That is a big problem for us, and even with fire restrictions in place, meaning open fires are banned for any purpose, people still think it doesn’t apply to them.  They come here for their vacation, to fish or whatever, and they want a campfire.  And they are going to have that campfire no matter what.  Unfortunately these people often don’t know how to make a proper campfire.  And they don’t understand how dry the forest can get.

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The sun trying to shine through the smoke.

People will make their fire on top of dry moss or pine needles.  And that stuff just burns like paper when it’s dry.  Or they will make their campfire under, or too near, trees.  Common sense should tell a person that is not a good idea.  But people figure they can control their campfire, after all it’s just a tiny fire, what can that do?  But if it is windy and their campfire is made wrong, that tiny fire is going to fly.  Quite literally.  Ashes can carry in the wind for long distances and start a fire very quickly in that new location.

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Again the sun trying to break it’s way through the smoky sky.

The devastation is also quick.  Not only the loss of the forest, but wildlife as well that are not able to get out of the way.  Plus many times there is the loss of human life, including people who are fighting those fires.  And the loss of homes and cottages.  But it’s just a tiny campfire, what damage can that do.  One time a campfire got out of control and in one week it burned over 50,000 hectares.  There are fires burning in our region right now, 15 of them.  The largest is 96,000 hectares.  For those not familiar with hectares, that would equal about 237,000 acres.  Another is about 51,000 hectares (126,000 acres) and a third at 32,000 hectares (79,000 acres).  Others are smaller.  At least 2 communities needed to be evacuated.

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How much nicer to enjoy the green of a nice forest location.

I don’t know if all of these fires were started from a campfire, but it happens every year. People just don’t realize what that tiny campfire can do when it gets out of control.  And it can happen quickly.  Be careful with fires of any kind.  True the forest does come back. In about 80 to 100 years in this area.  That’s a long time.

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A tiny campfire can turn this into blackened ash.

Sorry for this little rant of mine today.  Happens sometimes.  Probably due to my love for this natural world that God has given us.  We should take care of it.  Not destroy it.  Enjoy it.  Don’t kill it.  Leave it so others can also enjoy it, for a long time.  I hope that everyone has a very enjoyable weekend and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

© 2019 Steve McLeod.

Category: Beauty, Country, Country Living, Country Pleasures, Environment, Forest Fire, Outdoors, Summer, Summer Thoughts, Thoughts, UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , , ,

64 Comments on “Forest Fires.”

    • Forest fires are scary! People always seem to think they can handle it, after all it’s just a small campfire. But on a windy day especially and a dry forest, things can happen so fast, and does every year.

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  4. I agree taking care of nature. Human have not only invaded the nature but also abused and over used the nature. I wish no fire this year.

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  5. I absolutely agree with you and you shouldn’t be sorry for your rant, Steve. People are so double-faced, they burn plastic and then complain about the changing climate. Forest fires are so dangerous. It not only ruins the natural habitat of wildlife, it just ruins the balance in our environment. We should all take care of Earth now, it’s high time.
    Btw, the pictures are amazing!💖

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    • Thank you so much for reading today Ramyani!! You are so right, these fires do a lot of damage in more ways than people think. All that smoke going into the atmosphere is not good, plus trees are important for removing carbon from the atmosphere and providing us with fresh oxygen. We need to protect our forests wherever possible. Thank you for saying that about my pictures too! Enjoy your weekend!!😃🌞😺🌳

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      • Exactly. Forests are the lungs of Earth and people fail ti acknowledge the fact that they are inviting their own doom and worst is that, not only their own, but all of us are involved in it!😬
        You did right in spreading awareness about it! Take care

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      • Thank you Ramyani for a great comment! And you are so right, it is something that affects all of us. We have such vast forest land here that a lot of times people will say, it’s only a few trees, there are lots more. Such a terrible attitude. And we can lose a million hectares in one summer, that’s not a small amount, even though it might not look like much on a map. Thanks again, have a great day!😄😸

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      • Yes. That is a terrible attitude because one by one each tree is felled. Huh, it’s pathetic how people on one hand talk about global warming and sustainable development and on the other hand, cut trees and burn harmful things and what not!
        Don’t thank me. It was a pleasure talking with you❤️

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      • I agree with you, it’s amazing the things people will do, even right here and yet talk about how bad global warming is and we need to do something. Well, start at home people, quit dumping your used oil in the forest and a host of other things. People don’t think. Have a good morning!😃🌞😸

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      • We really need to do something and change starts from within. It was nice talking to you. Good morning! ☺️

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      • Yeah. It’s almost evening now😂 but anyway, we can always say good day!

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  6. Hey steve! You care for nature, and its good you did voice out for saving nature. Great piece of advice to people, Forest fires became common and it’s on people hand to save the nature, Its a tiny spark that make the world talk. Great share✨👏 Nice clicks!

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    • Hi Simon! Thanks so much for reading today and for your great comment! Most forest fires are caused by people who just don’t think. Have a great weekend Simon!😃🌞😺🌳

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  7. Good morning Steve and hope your Saturday will be great and sunny 🌞
    Well it’s not ranting! It’s really provoking what these people are causing with their campfires! They should be arrested actually for the great damage they’re doing to the nature and also for people that try to fight these fires or to those who are losing properties and cottages! It’s so reckless and unfair
    Good shot for the sun ☀️ 👌and it’s really a beautiful nature and we should preserve it as much as we can
    Have a great weekend 😸🌞☀️

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    • Thank you so much for reading today Huguette! People are just plain careless and don’t care at all about the forest or other damage done, plus the great danger to human lives. Many firefighters have died over the years fighting these fires.🌳🔥 And it costs millions of dollars to fight just one fire when it gets large. Thanks for your great comment Huguette and I hope you also have a great weekend!! 😃🌞😺It is nice and sunny here today, so far.😂

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      • Unfortunately people are careless and only by applying severe sanctions, they will not understand!
        It’s always a pleasure Steve and glad it’s sunny so far 🌞😺 enjoy the day as long as you can 😄

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      • It is still nice and sunny, unfortunately I feel lazy today!😂 Yes, there needs to be more severe penalties for people, though it is better now than it used to be. People can be charged for the cost of fighting the fire, up to a certain amount since many go over a million dollars to fight, with some being many millions. But most are caused by tourists which makes it hard to collect the money. If they are from out of the country they will be sent home immediately and not allowed back in the country until the fine is paid and usually only after 10 years. Still doesn’t stop people. Maybe jail time would work better.🤔😀🌳🔥

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      • well some days we just need to rest and chill and it’s totally fine 🙂 the government should know better how to manage this and protect the nature and people I guess!
        Enjoy your day the way you find it best for you 😸🌞

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      • I was planning to go for a walk after lunch and while I was eating it started to rain.😕 A lot.😲🙄 Finally stopped now so maybe I can go for a short walk, although it does look like it might rain again.🤪🌧 Oh well. Hope your day went well!😄😸

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      • sometimes our plans don’t work for a reason 😸 let it be a short walk then when the weather gets better 😺 My day is great thank you, hope you will enjoy yours as well 😊🌞😸

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      • It’s a good day even with the rain, gives me an excuse to stay inside and do some other things that needed to get done. Enjoy!😄😸🌞😀

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  9. Hi Steve!! Good evening 😊♥️
    Sometimes, we too face forest fire.
    People themselves make campfire under trees, and then wind do it’s work. And then they complain about forest fire!! Really forest fire are very bad for Flora and fauna!!
    Well, love the picture of sun 💕💕
    Have a good day ( I think it’s morning there!!)

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    • Hi Jyoti! Yes, it is morning, 10:15 right now. People are the main cause for forest fires, they are just so careless. They don’t think about all the damage done and how dangerous they are to people as well. Thank you so much for reading today and for your wonderful comment! Enjoy your evening!😃🌞😺🌳🔥

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  10. Every summer I hear about the forest fires up north from us and it’s so sad to think that most of the time it could have been prevented if people weren’t so careless.

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    • That is so true, people just need to think a bit and listen to the warnings when fires are banned. Thanks for reading, I hope you have a great weekend!😃🌞😺🌳🔥

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  11. So sad. People really need to be more careful and aware. I’m really wishing I had your temperatures right now. It’s 101 here!! Too hot! This isn’t normal for us. 😯 Have a great weekend!

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    • Hi Michelle, too cool here, I would prefer your temps! By the way, I nominated you for the Liebster Award today but couldn’t get your site address to work, so consider it a nomination anyway!😄🌞😸

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  13. It is absurd that these things happen. You talk about accidents, but here, not far from where I live, we have a mountain park. Every year some crazy criminals set fire to the woods to protest against the park. But how many fools are around?

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  14. living in/with nature as i do, fires are a BIG concern. california is ripe for fires as we have had too many years of low rain and snow. we had a fairly wet winter, and plants loved the water and grew wildly. but now the summer heat is here and all those plants are drying out and what was one green, is now more brown. i hired men to do brush clearing around my property in the hope that if a fire does come, i will have a defensible space. in the 19 years living where i do, i have had 2 fires burn the areas around my place. i dont look forward to the next one for it is not and “if” as much as “when.”

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    • I know how you feel Buddy. This town is carved out of the forest and if a fire came through here nothing would be left. I used to live out in the country too and once had to evacuate because a forest fire had traveled 5 miles in one hour, which put it just 5 miles away. Didn’t have much time to get out of there, but the fire was stopped by sudden heavy rain. We went from very dry here to very wet, but further north it’s still very dry and that’s where the fires are right now. Thanks for reading and the great comment Buddy!

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      • the town of paradise, ca was mostly destroyed last year by fire. the latest i heard is the electric company power lines are the blame. i hope you and those around you stay safe form any fires.

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      • So far it has been okay around here, very wet now, but it only takes 3 days of sunshine to dry things out again.

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  15. Don’t apologize for the rant. It needs addressing and campers need to understand the dangers of not knowing what the heck they are doing when it comes to campfires. And they need to know how to properly put one out!

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