This week seems to be slowing down for wildfire season here at the Pike-San Isabel  National Forest and Comanche National Grasslands, and it also coincides with “Fire Prevention Week.” So far the slow pace at the fire dispatch center matches the changing autumn landscape, as the trees and days also slow down to prepare for winter. 

The slow pace allows me to reflect on how much we have done as an agency to respond to wildfires, and how much manpower is needed in the whole process, and so I ask, “ what can we do to prevent wildfires, if most fires this season were caused by lightning?” 

I also reflect on the forest critters of all sizes, birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects who were displaced because of the fires, how do they respond to the situation and how do they recover?  

Besides learning about wildfire types, the technicalities to respond to a wildfire incident, and getting to know the people who fight the fires, and those who support them: I must say the biggest lesson has is to be thankful and grateful for the seasons, because if they didn’t change we would have wildfire season all year long. That would be hard on all of us, flora and fauna. 

Happy Autumn Everyone!