The Game Commission has, wisely, issued a ban on fires on State Game Lands, due to dry conditions. While camping on Game Lands is prohibited, small fires are normally allowed. The ban will in effect until further notice, undoubtedly until the dry conditions abate.
This got me to thinking about fire, and its role in human existence. It is unclear how people first discovered fire. In an ancient myth, Prometheus gave fire to humanity. This displeased his fellow residents of Mount Olympus, and he was punished in a gruesome way. He was chained to a rock. Each day, an eagle would eat his liver. It would then grow back overnight, providing a meal for the bird the next day. Although this makes for some good reading, that is, of course, all it is. There are many theories, but the most likely is that lightning started the first fire for humans.
Fire can be either a comforting friend or a horrible enemy. Home fires, wildfires and a myriad of other disastrous things can happen. Sometimes, these things are caused by human error. Others are caused by the forces of nature, while still others are unexplainable.
It is much more pleasant to think of a fire as a comforting, enjoyable friend. For whatever reason, most of us enjoy sitting around a nice fire. In fact, that is the stuff of numerous social and family gatherings. “Weenie” roasts are every bit as American as apple pie. All you need is a hardwood fire, some hot dogs and buns and some long thin sticks. You can follow those up with marshmallows or s’mores, something I find entirely too sweet. In the photo, photographer Jodie Beabout, captures the essence of a nice, comforting fire.
The ability to produce fire is an essential skill in survival situations. In fact, it can be a matter of life or death. If you get a chance, read “To Build a Fire,” a short story by Jack London. In a survival situation, including being lost in the woods, fire provides warmth, light, a rescue signal and a way to cook any food that you might have. One of the biggest things, however, is the psychological comforting it can provide. Many who have been in survival situations have reported this, saying that it really boosted their morale.
Lastly, let’s looked at the so-called “controlled burns” that are sometimes used as a way of clearing areas. The problem with those is that they can sometimes get out of control.
You know, this has been, in some ways, a rather unique autumn. Some folks saw their lilacs blooming in October. As I am writing this, insects have flown by the window. Dandelions are popping up here and there. None of these things is earth shattering, just different from what we have come to expect. Also, the fall colors didn’t last all that long this year. I have also not seen many of the big, V shaped flocks of geese heading South, although there are many resident geese on the river. I have, however, seen flocks of seagulls and swans.
In many ways, this can be a rather depressing time of year, especially for those of who love summer. That said, there are some great things coming up, not the least of which is the rifle deer season. The Holiday Season is just around the corner, so we can take comfort in that.
Monday, as we all know, was Veterans Day, a vivid reminder of how much we owe those brave men and women.
Email: salmonangler1@gmail.com
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