Fire by Susan L.

  It  was a lovely spring day yesterday so I spent a bit of time puttering around the front. I didn't do much except relish in the sunshine and think about what needed to be done. A fire truck went roaring past, sirens screaming. It stopped just north of here. Shortly after, another raced past. I could smell smoke but couldn't see where it was coming from. At least five more trucks flew north from three different fire departments. A large number of pick up trucks and other vehicles joined the race north, their green lights flashing: volunteer fire fighters.
  Finally, I could see smoke billowing up into the sky.
  A large corn field was ablaze. The dried stubble was rich fodder for flames. I hopped into my car to see what was happening. It had been caused by someone burning brush to clean up the dead branches from winter winds. The fire leapt into the dried grass surrounding the burn pile then quickly ignited the field. There was a stiff breeze blowing so the fire spread faster than one fire crew could handle.
  It was on the local news. Nearly thirty acres had burned. A local farmer plowed up a firebreak risking tens of thousands of dollars in equipment. The combined efforts of fire fighters and volunteers were then able to bring it under control. Had it continued, houses would have been lost.
  It is grass fire season. The ground may be wet but the brown, dried grass on top is incredibly flammable. There were two other grass fires yesterday. One was from a burn barrel placed too close to long, dead grass. The heat alone ignited that blaze.
  So those of us who live on rural properties where fires are allowed, please be careful. If possible, put off burning until the grass is lush and green.
  Lord, bless the men and women who are firefighters. Bless the volunteers. They do so much more than fight fires. Keep them safe. In Jesus' name.
  "Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward." 2 Jn 1:8