With most of Saskatchewan being under an extremely dry warning, common sense will tell us not to have a backyard fire even if there is no fire ban.
If you are a smoker, once again common sense should kick in that you do not throw your cigarette butt out the car window or just toss it down the street.
One should know the saying that it only takes a spark to get a fire going.
Even if we think that the fire is contained in a nice fire pit, sparks are not easily kept under control.
I feel for the people up north in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This must be a horrific feeling having to leave your home on short notice, not knowing whether or not your home will be standing when you return.
Fire can destroy everything and it is one of the disasters that will claim everything in its path, leaving nothing standing. It sends wildlife on the run, not knowing where to turn. My heart hurts for those animals, having their homes destroyed as well.
It is only the end of May and already we have many fires across the Prairie provinces, which is causing a great deal of concern if we do not get rain and a lot of it.
Because of the heat, we get thunder and lightning storms, and this is not ideal with the dry conditions.
I have often thought of what I would take if a fire came through our area, what is so important that it cannot be replaced.
My pets are first. I would never leave them behind, no matter what. They are part of our family, and their food is next to come with us.
Everyone takes their photo albums. I do not believe it is my first pick. First of all, I never look at them. They sit on a shelf and collect dust.
The pictures that are important to me are hanging on my wall. Those are the photos that come with us. Our family pictures and the picture of my mom.
What is next? My jewelry box. I do not have much jewelry; it is kind of my keepsake box. It holds special things that I have had for years from my kids and husband. It holds special little stones from when my kids were small and small cards they have made.
Next is food. Luckily, I drive a pick-up truck. It will hold a lot of stuff and food is important. If we are being evacuated, this means the grocery store is also under the same notice.
If we have time, our small freezer will be put in the box of the truck and loaded full of food, water, and anything else that will fit inside. If we do not have time, I have a toolbox on the truck that will be filled with essentials.
Clothes are important. I am not fussy; I will grab what I can and throw them in a suitcase.
Blankets and pillows will be tossed in on top of everything and tied down. One never knows where you might have to sleep in these kinds of conditions.
One can only imagine how high emotions will be at the time when this happens. Maybe I will forget all the thought I have put into it.
I do know that I feel deeply for the people and animals that are being displaced because of all these fires.
Let us be careful out there when it comes to sparks. Simply do not start a campfire until we have had plenty of rain.
And let us keep the firefighters and volunteers in our thoughts and prayers that they are kept safe while doing their jobs fighting these massive blazes and that they are able to get them under control.
