W is for Wildfire

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disaster is...

WILDFIRE

Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that destroy countryside and wilderness areas. They are also called brush fires and forest fires. These fires can change directions spontaneously and even jump over roads and rivers. I have seen this, and it is the most frightening and fascinating thing to witness.

My Story: When I was twelve, a series of arson fires erupted in my city (in Florida). I remember going home and seeing the black plumes of smoke rising in the sky and feeling the worst fear I’ve ever experienced before. My best friend’s dad said, “It looks like it’s right next to your house!” Sure enough, it was. I was dropped off at my driveway to see flames consuming the brush and trees a mere foot from my home.

Later, I stood in the middle of the road, helplessly looking on as my family scrambled to save our pets, and firefighters moved into action to save our house. I watched flames eat their way to the edge of the road then skip over the asphalt and blaze to life on the other side.

My home survived, but one of my cats didn’t. Her name was Angel. She had run out the door, toward the fire. She returned late that night badly burned. She died a few days later...on my thirteenth birthday. 

Those fires are still the worst fires to hit my city. And they deeply rooted a fear in me that'll never go away.

FACT: Wildfires can burn for days or weeks, and can consume 100 to 100,000 acres.

While arson is a big cause of wildfires, heat waves and droughts are the leading causes, especially in warm climates with a lot of dry growth. Lightning is another factor.

To prevent wildfires you can:

1. Never throw a cigarette out your car window!

2. Never leave a campfire unattended.

3. Be careful when burning backyard waste. Don’t burn anything in windy conditions, and have a shovel for dirt and a hose or bucket of water on hand.

QUESTION: Have you ever experienced a wildfire? Tell me your story! 

P.S. I'm co-hosting over at Unicorn Bell today. My post is Dear Withdrawn Writer. If you put your writing first, you could probably relate to this.

Disasters:

A: Avalanche

B: Blizzard and Blackout

C: Cyclone

D: Drought and Dust Storm
E: Earthquake
F: Flood

G: Gas Explosion
H: Hailstorm
I: Ice Storm and Iceberg
J. Judgment Day

K: Killings
L: Limnic Eruption and Lightning Storm
M: Mudslide
N: Nuclear Meltdown
O: Oil Spill

P: Plague
Q: Quasar Explosion
R: Rockfall
S: Solar Flare and Sinkhole
T: Tornado and Tsunami
U: Ultraviolet Radiation
V: Volcanic Eruption

W: Wildfire

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!