Give firefighters the respect they deserve in face of Chimney Fire

Here at Heritage Ranch, we sit quietly hearing much about our fire.

Even the radio hosts are bashing the firefighters. They see crews sitting and go negative on them.

Maybe the truck is waiting for orders, a water tender truck or other correct responses. It is not responsible to criticize the fire department. Let me sit on their shoulder at their work and comment on their performance. No armchair quarterbacks. Let them do their job.

Now we have experience with wildfire, let’s talk about our next controlled burn when there is moisture and conditions permit. The Indians burned; the early ranchers and farmers burned. Small controlled burns each year get the wildlands back to what nature planned for it. Controlled burns can remain small.

If you live in the wild, prepare your property for a wildfire. Cover your outside vent holes to your attic if a fire starts. If you are caught, remember to have a plan. Your loved ones (that includes all pets), your prescriptions and meds are hard to replace. Good insurance coverage, a few clothes and do not let material things cause any stress at all. And live on!

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 2:38 PM with the headline "Give firefighters the respect they deserve in face of Chimney Fire."