A few reflections as we begin a New Year

Many of us were happy to bid 2020 a fare thee well. I feel like I would be remiss if I did not mention COVID-19 as  COVID-19 pandemic is foremost on the minds of many as too many died and many more were sickened. We hope that 2021 might bring some hope. The wildland firefighters on the ground and in the air fought these wildfires with COVID safety protocols in place where some were sickened and at least one has died, see this September 2020 article by Bill Gabbert on Wildfire Today for more information. 

But more to the point and the reason I write this blog is about aerial wildland firefighting and related concerns. This is the third year since 2010 with over 10,000,000 acres burned in the United States.

Year-to-date statistics obtained on January 4, 2021 from https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/nfn.htm
2020 (1/1/20-12/31/20)	Fires: 58,258	Acres: 10,274,679
2019 (1/1/19-12/31/19)	Fires: 50,469	Acres: 4,664,369
2018 (1/1/18-12/31/18)	Fires: 58,113	Acres: 8,767,801
2017 (1/1/17-12/31/17)	Fires: 71,499	Acres: 10,026,086
2016 (1/1/16-12/31/16)	Fires: 67,595	Acres: 5,503,538
2015 (1/1/15-12/31/15)	Fires: 68,047	Acres: 10,113,927
2014 (1/1/14-12/31/14)	Fires: 63,487	Acres: 3,571,493
2013 (1/1/13-12/31/13)	Fires: 46,839	Acres: 4,308,297
2012 (1/1/12-12/31/12)	Fires: 67,578	Acres: 9,197,224
2011 (1/1/11-12/31/11)	Fires: 74,081	Acres: 8,709,442
2010 (1/1/10-12/31/10)	Fires: 71,971	Acres: 3,422,724
10-year average Year-to-Date
2010-2019	Fires: 62,882	Acres: 6,789,149

My heart went out to the wildland firefighters on the ground, assisted by aerial support who worked hard to bring these devastating wildfires under control. Thousands of residences were destroyed. While wildfires have died down out west, the danger is never over. For many out west, the danger did not end with the containment of wildfires. Until the burn scar can be rehabilitated, mud slides remain a danger. Then there are those who are living elsewhere, perhaps in temporary quarters until they can rebuild.  

Rarely a day goes by when I do not think about the efforts of wildland firefighters on the ground and in the air to fight wildfires. They make sacrifices to try to keep us safe. Somehow offering my prayers and mediations to the firefighters, their families and all those who were affected by wildfires burning in or near their homes or businesses does not always seem like enough, but what do I know? So I write these so that all who read know that I care.

We have entered a New Year, and who really knows what type of wildfire season we will have in the United States? Time will tell.