What Started the Wildfires?
WHAT STARTED THE WILDFIRES? Wildfire, Imperiled Forests & Time.
“At least we don’t have to worry about forest fires any more,” I said.
It was early December, 2021. And we were moving into our edge-of-the-big-city apartment.
Well, I’ve lived most of my life by the forest. And loved it. I’m Atlantic Canadian. Born here. Spent most of my life here. The wild northern ocean just over there. And the spreading woodlands of the Northern Appalachians all around us.
Mary Lee and I bought an old restored farmhouse in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. Tucked in among spruce trees and firs and pine and cedar. Magnificent maples, ghostly white birch trees and trembling aspen. And a gnarled old apple orchard, still bearing delicious fruit. Enjoyed the wildlife that came out from those trees. The deer, occasional bobcat and apple-eating bears. And lots of wild rabbits playing on the lawn.
We lived there. We worked there. Raised a family.
There was that one worry that comes with country living. What if we have a wildfire?
We never did.
And then we retired and moved into an urban setting. We missed our country home. Certainly missed that fresh, invigorating country air (Mary Lee has chronic asthma). But we were excited in our own way, too. Now we could spend our time living a Creative Life.
And then I foolishly said “At least we don’t have to worry about…”
Sunday, May 28th, 2023.
It was only a few weeks ago. Team Canada had just won the World Hockey Cup. I tweeted: “What a Wild Wonderful Way to End the Hockey Season. WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP!”
Then came the Alert!
There were three out-of-control Wildfires in Nova Scotia. They had burst out at almost the same time. And were spreading fast. One was next to our new home community. Tantallon. Dark woodsmoke began to pour down our street. You could see it. Smell it. Taste it.
We listened to the TV as one evacuation after another was announced. We prayed for those people.
And we packed our car for a quick getaway.
“We’re the next evacuation,” said our daughter. And then the wind changed from the West and came around from the North. The smoke dissipated. And we were spared.
But the wildfires spread from tree to tree. Our forests, they said, had never been this dry. Never. Climate Change. [1]
Animals fled the firestorm — some didn’t make it. People loaded their cars — some came back to destruction.
Nova Scotia fought back, with a lot of help from our friends. Help came from across Canada, even though Quebec was still burning. From the Canadian Armed Forces. From our American friends.
What Started the Wildfires? Word came that those fires were Human-caused.
Either deliberately or through sheer stupidity. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced a total Outdoor Fire Ban. Stopping “all travel and activities in the woods.” And when more fires burst out, an exasperated Tim said, “For God’s sake, stop burning!”
As I write this, wildfires out West, including British Columbia, are still burning. And south of the border. And Nova Scotians have gone there to help.
But those wildfires can’t be forgotten, can they?
We found ourselves asking — “What happened? What can we do?”
RUNNING OUT OF TIME: Wildfires and Our Imperiled Forests is a new book released by Amplify Publishing.
The book expects to “shed light on wildfire management practices. And provides innovative solutions from the perspective of two management experts. The authors are David L. Auchterlonie and Jeffrey A. Lehman.”
Wondering What Started the Wildfires? This book is just in time.
In a recent press release, Amplify Publishing announced “RUNNING OUT OF TIME answers many of the greatest concerns surrounding wildfires and forest management.
“While recognizing the extraordinary challenges to the growing number of local, state and federal agencies involved in these complex problems.
“The authors begin with a comprehensive discussion of the history and root causes of wildfires in the US. They also provide unique solutions that will save lives, land, property, and the environment.”
Listen!
“Of all the natural disasters humans face, wildfire is the only catastrophe that is controllable and, often, predictable.”
Wildfires are costing lives. And as much as $300 billion annually in the United States alone. Wildfires are destructive forces fueled by environmental factors and human behavior. And — in many cases — “the bloated governmental systems entrusted by Congress to put them out.”
According to these authors’ findings, the U.S. Forest Service and other involved agencies need to be more business-like. And less bureaucratic in their approach to fighting wildfires and managing forests.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME’s recommendations are meant as a resource to help “First, Put Out the Fire.” And then restore healthy forests. As well as remove more carbon emissions from the environment.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME remains forward-looking and solutions-oriented. By proposing an incentive-based novel public-private partnership to finance the work ahead.
“Based on exhaustive research, this book describes our broken systems of forest and wildland fire management. While offering a variety of innovative and proactive solutions. It’s time for our elected officials to stop making excuses and start addressing this crisis,” says Nick Smith. Nick is founder of Healthy Forests/Healthy Communities.
Now this is an important book. And we need to listen.
And it begins with the question, “What Started the Wildfires?”
RUNNING OUT OF TIME: Wildfires and Our Imperiled Forests is available now in multiple formats. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or the publisher. Find more information at www.WildfiresInAmerica.com.
“Live Free, Mon Ami!” – Brian Alan Burhoe
If you love the Forest and all the Wildlife that lives here, SEE our CivilizedBears.com.
[1] And President Teddy Roosevelt was warning Americans about “Climate Change” and “Deforestation” way back in 1908. In his prophetic “Eighth Annual Message to the Senate and House of Representatives” — See Teddy Roosevelt Called it Climate Change in 1908!
Finally, About the Authors: “David L Auchterlonie and Jeffrey A Lehman have more than 110 years of combined experience working in both the private and public sectors. Together, they form Crowbar Research Insights, LLC. This project comes from their passion and thirst for knowledge. And the need for solutions to complex problems that have a long-standing, long-term devastating impact on so many individuals and society.”
CONTENT SOURCES: Amplify Publishing, PRNewswire & Civilized Bears.
IMAGE SOURCES: “ALERT: BEAR ATTACKS ON RISE…” Bruce MacKinnon Cartoon — Only you can prevent forest fires. Bruce’s reaction to some Nova Scotians caught ignoring Outdoor Fire Ban at height of NS wildfires. Top of page “Forest Fire Fighter” photo from The Weather Network.
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