Minor Inconvenience

In the past week, the skies here have been clear and sunny, despite extremely dry, forest wildfires reported in news items from mainland B.C. and from Saskatchewan. I recalled being in Kelowna in 2003 when homes were lost, smoke hung heavy in the air and ash dropped on the fruit stand where I worked the summer before coming to Victoria. This year fires are being fought in the Joe Rich area of Kelowna. While the threat is dangerous, it has been reported that it is not as devastating as the 2003 fire. Family there have not been affected at this writing. In Saskatchewan, family in the south of the province is affected by heavy smoke from the devastating fires in the north, with temporary ease from a light rain.

This morning, a heron flew over outside my patio doors. Then, these young two herons alit atop a tree across the street.  Unusual, because the heron nests are over in park in the much taller trees. The morning sky was a grey blanket and the colour, even now while I write, was yellow. Walking downtown this afternoon, the sun was merely a red ball. Breathing the air initially only felt dry but as the day has progressed the smell of smoke accompanied the dryness. 

Breathing much heavier smoke, losing their homes, evacuated to safer places ~ far too many people (one is too many) are losing more than just a pretty day.

Belief in the dedication and bravery of the fire fighters is couched in immense gratitude from this writer. My hope is that all will be safe and have all the supplies and water they need for doing this dangerous work, and that very soon all will return home.

“Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.”

~ Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays