This morning I woke to the sound of rain. As daylight broke, the gentle shower stopped and I went out to the deck. The air was cool and fresh and the new vegetation was a lush green. It is quite the contrast to the wildfire photos coming out of the Fort McMurray area. The devastation it has caused reminds us that Mother Nature is a force much larger than us. I can't begin to imagine what the residents were going through. 

When I heard the first reports about the wildfire I turned the radio on and was listening to what was going on. Listeners were calling in as they sat in traffic on Highway 63. They spoke of their evacuation experiences and mentioned seeing all the animals running from the burning forest. One fellow said the ditches were filled with deer.

As the reports kept flooding in I noticed how many people stated that it was 'just stuff' that can be replaced. They were safe and their loved ones were safe. That was all that mattered.

They are right. Even though the fire is devastating and has turned their lives upside down, the lost infrastructure and the buildings will be reconstructed. The forests will regrow. The realization is that you only have one life. When it is gone, it is gone.

When you are out enjoying the trails and the campgrounds this summer, do so with care. Don't take for granted that your campfire is out. Douse it and make sure that there are no longer any live embers. Take care when using ATVs and disposing of smoking material.

The cause of the Fort McMurray fire has not been determined but it started someplace with a little spark. If it was a lightning strike, that is not something we could have prevented but we need to do our part when it comes to outdoor experiences. Let's ensure that we do everything possible so another fire of this magnitude does not happen by human causes.