CLICK HERE TO READ   Wildfire Part I: The Condition

CLICK HERE TO READ Wildfire Part III: The Countermeasure

“Your Forest-Your Fault –Your Loss.”

“Forest Fires Aid the Enemy,”

“Our Carelessness, Their Secret Weapon.”

These slogans predate Smokey Bear, but with foreign and domestic fire threats to our homeland running high, the wartime council began the fire prevention campaign during World War II. The war council had seen firsthand the destruction in our homeland from foreign threats as shells had exploded in an oil field very near a National Forest, but what they feared most was domestic threat. Statistics revealed then and now, that our own people were to blame for destructive wildfires 9 out of 10 times.  Just a few years later in 1950 this was sadly proven true when the wildfire that made Smokey Bear become a living legend, would destroy 17,000 acres and risk the lives of hundreds of men.

The Condition: drought

The Cause: ONE camper. One careless act. One devastating outcome.

The enemy that was most feared was living in our homeland: us! I submit to you the WE are often the cause of our own trials and tribulations: not necessarily purposely, but carelessly. Sometimes we play with matches when we know better.

The WWII slogan reapplied: “Our carelessness, ‘Satan’s’ secret weapon!” Sometimes Satan doesn’t have to “do” anything at all to make our lives miserable because WE are doing good job of it all by ourselves.  Just like the war council saw fit to teach and train people on the importance of acting responsibly, and the dangers of carelessness; God teaches us in His Word to live a life full of purpose, full of abundance, full of power, and free of needless destruction.

I can’t speak for you, but I will tell you that I have made bad decisions, and have suffered the consequences. Ever said, ‘if I could do it all over again, I would do things differently?’ I certainly have. We say this because we know that WE were responsible; WE had the power to make a difference.

Hang in there with me, there IS GOOD NEWS!

Did you know that:

• Fire is required for the reproduction of some trees. Without a fire, these seeds can lie dormant for decades
• Fire is required for the long-term survival of 33 native plant species
• Fire rids the forest of diseased plants and trees

This is a great example of what God does for us. He gives us beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3). He replaces our mourning with joy. He forgives us and restores us! We will have new growth! New Life!! A Second chance!

Satan would love to sit back and blame us; belittle and condemn us for making mistakes. He would love to see us sit in the dark ruin of our own wildfire: devastated and wasting away. We might be ‘the cause’ sometimes, but with God we are ‘NOT a lost cause.’ He loves us so much that He is willing to make ALL things work for our good! (Romans 8:28)  So even though I may create my own mess, God still turns it around for my good.