Reciprocal Nature prompt 4th week of February — “Contradictory fire”
How Can Beautiful Flames Attract and Repel Us?
A friendly fire makes me feel good
My earliest memories about fire make me feel warm and snug. In Girl Scout Camp we huddled around a campfire every evening. It had the power to unite us even if there had been disagreements during the day. We sang familiar scout songs in harmony. There was an atmosphere of peaceful bliss. The colorful flames danced along the logs in a hypnotic trance. The fiery kindling threw sparks aloft — a dance of celebration. 🔥
Even today many campers will end their evenings with a warm glowing fire. A hush will descend upon the campground as families gather in peace. Many will roast marshmallows and make gooey S’mores. Graham crackers squish softened mallows and Hershey bars together. What a messy treat that children adore. Often someone will play a guitar. The strummed cords waft pleasantly in the air.
The popping, sizzling flames induce our minds to a trancelike state. We relax and the cares of the world fall from our shoulders. A feeling of hope and goodness in the world takes its place. Sitting in front of a cheery fireplace enhances intimate feelings. Many a marriage proposal takes place then.
“We stare at a fire because it flickers, because it glows. The light is what catches our eyes, but what makes a man lean close to a fire has nothing to do with its bright shape. What draws you to a fire is the warmth you feel when you come near.”― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
A fierce fire scares the heck out of me
I grew up on the ridge of a mountain range in New York State. Imagine the fear I felt as a six year old when a wildfire threatened our home. Brown smelly smoke rose like a live monster. Angry flames consumed my woods. My family had the car packed, ready to flee to a safer place. Tears fell from my eyes. I knew we were in imminent danger. 🔥 🔥
Volunteer firefighters came to our rescue. They wore Indian tanks filled with water on their backs. There was no fire hydrant where we lived. The men carried pick axes and shovels. They planned to dig trenches to stop the fire’s advance. Lightning striking a tree started the initial blaze. My father ran down the mountainside to join them. And I ran right after him.
I could hear my mother yell, “NO, Joyce, NO! You come back here!”
I tore through the trees until I saw the crew working with shovels and axes. My father was slaving beside them. I coughed from the smoke. I looked up and saw flames leaping from treetop to treetop. It was awful hot. Then I noticed flames creeping behind my father.
“Dad, the fire! Look behind you!”
My shout made him aware of the danger he was in. He reacted fast, leaping over the hungry blaze seeking more fuel. He wiped his forehead in relief, smearing dirt and soot across his face. I threw myself around one leg and hung on tight. He placed a big hand on my shoulder.
“We’re okay, Little Bit, we’re okay.”
The firefighters got the conflagration under control. Then they doused the dying flames with water from the tanks. They removed sticks and pine needles from the charred earth perimeter. This was to prevent any dying embers disturbed by wind from igniting again. I learned that day that fire can spread across treetops and below the duff.
Wildfires are a normal part of life in some areas
I lived near the Cascade Mountains of Washington for six years. Every summer I would see plumes of brown smoke rising on the horizon. And we knew there was a wildfire in a neighboring town or the vast surrounding wilderness. The sight of Hotshot firefighters wearing fire resistant yellow shirts was common.
People who lived near dense wooded areas took precautions. They cleared the land around their homes of any flammable debris and trees. A to go bag was ready in case of evacuation. Many men stayed behind to hose the roofs and home exteriors. Volunteers prepared extra food to feed Hotshot crews and evacuees. And we prayed! 🙏
On my days off my husky and I would hike in an area far away from the smoke-filled air. Sometimes you couldn’t escape it. One day while hiking part of the Pacific Crest Trail, a wildfire found us. We had finished our lunch on a ridge and headed back to my car. I turned to look behind me when the sky darkened.
A brown mushroom cloud sent embers and ash our way. Terrified, I ran, urging my dog to trot. We had to reach the car to escape imminent danger of being trapped. A party on horseback tried to control frightened horses as they fled. Gusting winds had reignited embers from a fire extinguished the day before.
Wildfires affect civilization by disrupting transportation, communication, energy services and water supplies. The air quality diminishes. And there is a loss of homes, crops, animals and even human life. 😥
Wildfires can have a positive effect also
Fires help nature by clearing dead debris from a forest floor. Then sunlight is able to reach the exposed areas. Scorched earth adds rich nutrients to the soil. New plants can emerge and revitalize the forest. Surviving trees grow healthier and stronger. Some species need fire to burst seed laden cones for germination. Animals gravitate to browse the new green vegetation.
The discovery of fire changed how humans lived. Man was able to keep warm, protect his family from wild animals, and cook his food. Today, with modern lighting and cooking facilities, fire has a new meaning. People congregate around a campfire or fireplace to enjoy one another. 😀
One should have a healthy respect for fire
- Never extinguish a kitchen grease fire with water. That will cause it to spread. Cover the pan with a metal lid or pour baking soda on it.
- Do not use water on an electrical fire. Unplug devise if possible. Use a fire extinguisher. Smother with baking soda. Turn the power off.
- A gas stove is operating well when a burner has a blue flame with a yellow tip.
- If caught in a house fire: Most fatalities result from smoke inhalation of toxic fumes. Fire consumes the oxygen you need to breath. Get low to the floor. Cover your nose & mouth. Wet a towel or blanket. Use it to cover your body. Crawl to safety.
- I worked in a Burn Unit for most of my nursing career. Burns only account for 30% of deaths.
- There should be fire and smoke detectors in every home.
I hope my experience with fire has helped you appreciate its properties.
A huge thank you to Nature editor SahilPatel for giving this pertinent prompt of “contradictory fire”
Read these wonderful posts by other Medium writers:
Freda Savahl reveals wonderful pearls of wisdom to live by.
Read Mia Verita’s perspective on the duality of fire.
