Be careful out there

Area firefighters have been busy battling wildfires. Incredibly dry conditions turn vegetation to fuel for wildland fires. Add low humidity and a brisk Oklahoma breeze and catastrophe is just a spark away.
There are things we can do to prevent fires. Keep cigarettes and ashes inside the car. Maintain vehicles to prevent sparks and backfiring. Don't park in tall grass and weeds. Hot engines and exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Adhere to the ban on outdoor burning. Avoid anything that causes sparks outside.
Firefighters also can offer tips on how to protect our homes and property from a wildfire that could encroach. Clear dead branches, weeds and grass away from houses and outbuildings. Is this winter's firewood stacked beside the barn or by the back door? Move it. Check with your area firefighters for more tips. They will be happy to advise - if they can keep off their fire trucks long enough.
And they are always there when we need them. Ever notice that? In the interest of full disclosure, I will say here that my husband is a retired firefighter and public education officer. He spent decades battling fires under all conditions and also teaching people, mostly kids, how to prevent fires and fire-related injuries.
Firefighters are there whenever we need them, putting their lives on the line every day. Let's keep in mind the threat to the people who fight fires. Maybe that will help us remember to take extra steps to prevent fires. Be safe.