“March winds bring April showers bring May flowers”
That often repeated quotation is on the minds of most everybody.
Despite moisture forecasts, and sometimes a few drops, the Midwest has not received sufficient rain.
More than one commented, “Too bad we can’t have just a tad bit from those poor northeast folks snowbound and flooding.”
Combination of dry conditions and record winds has made wildfires more widespread than even year earlier more isolated damages.
A call in the middle of the night informed a pasture was burning nearby, but firetrucks had been called. Fortunately, those local volunteers were efficient in limiting damage to a small area. That the area ablaze had been hayed last summer helped in keeping spread slowed.
Up and down the highway in every direction from headquarters, there have been pasture fires. All were brought under control before extensive loss.
Returning from work, three fire engines were headed east telltale sign: “There’s a fire.”
Nightly news revealed location, but simultaneously another one was being battled two counties to the south.
Thousands of acres of Flint Hills were consumed between the two, but lives were saved. Biggest fright was possibility of fire spreading into one rural community.
Again, assistance gathered from every direction, miles and miles away with every form of water and extinguishing agent possible. Amazing the generosity and working together efforts of all in a time of need.
It does help override the bad publicity so often given today’s society. Neighbors helping neighbors is the way the country was built and remains in true ranchland.
Servicemen have come to forefront in all of history during times of distress. In both of these major native grassland fires, military helicopters with huge water tanks distinguished blazes in areas inaccessible by land vehicles.
Trains have for decades been accused of starting fires, but equipment modernization has reduced that threat to some extent.
Just about anything can ignite a blaze. Cigarette butts out the window are often blamed, and get-away trash fires are also major causes.
Mere sparks from a vehicle in dry prairie will readily combust. With tall grass and 60 miles-per-hour winds, sections burn within minutes.
Everybody’s looking to calm days, ample rains and green pastures.
Reminded of Joel 2:5: “They were like a powerful army battling fire burning up the dry grass.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XII–11–3-11-18