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Show Volume II, Issue XVIII THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 5 September 15, 2000 Are People Really Stupid and Uncaring When It Comes To Fire Prevention? By Lorine Murtagh Chair, Ogden Canyon Club I realize the title of this article is strong, but I need to catch your attention. Even with all the news media warnings about fire restrictions and the extreme fire conditions existing in our area, along with the prediction that unless moisture arrives soon the worst is yet to come, travelers are still throwing cigarette butts from their car windows, and adventurers are lighting bonfires. What gives? I know the fire starters are out there—I have witnessed their carelessness and stupidity while traveling daily to and from my home in Ogden Canyon and hiking the off road trails. Like for instance, just the other afternoon during the time firemen and canyon residents were risking lives and limbs putting out a grass fire near the Smokey Bear sign at the Indian Trail, the driver of the car in front of me flipped a cigarette out of the window, demonstrating a highly practiced skill level. The cigarette landed across the oncoming lane of traffic and came to rest in the roadside grass. I honked my horn, much to the oblivion of this idiot. What other name could you have for someone so irresponsible that they would attempt this feat in the presence of police, firemen, and Smokey Bear? What greater presence of a fire prevention reminder than a seven foot tall colorfully painted sign of Smokey Bear warning travelers about fire safety, and firemen donned in their bright yellow suits equipped with fire gear? There is no excuse for this act that puts life, limb, and property in harms way. This driver isn’t the only one who litters the canyon with cigarette butts. During our Ogden Canyon Club spring and fall clean-up, volunteers and canyon residents pick up literally thousands of butts. What ever happened to the use of vehicle ashtrays? Within the last couple of weeks while hiking the upper trails and hid- den ravines and canyons, I came across smoldering fire pits, and the remains of several burned pieces of timber that didn’t quite constitute a full blown bonfire. Empty beer cans, wine bottles, fast food containers, along with articles of clothing were tale-tale signs of quite a party. Call it immaturity, stupidity, carelessness, or ignorance on the part of those responsible, but rest assured a person who displays such total disregard for forest creatures who live in the wilds, and would cause such destruction to our natural environment and endanger the lives of those who have to fight the fire can have no other names. The devastation can and often does cause pain, loss, injury, loss of property, or the life of a loved one. I fully understand the desire of nature lovers and young adults to seek the solitude of uninhabited areas where they can be alone, but an awareness of the consequences of their actions has to come into play. Unfortunately, blame is usually misplaced. The public sometimes criticizes the fire departments for not being unable to get to the scene of the fire in what is perceived to be a timely manner, or not having the proper equipment to rapidly contain and douse the raging out-of-control blaze. In actuality, the fault lies with the person or group responsible for striking the match. How many fire hydrants have you seen scattered throughout our hillsides and forests for easy access? Flipping a lighted match, starting a campfire and not putting it completely out, or forgetting to crush out a cigarette can quickly turn into disaster. The brown grass, dry sticks and pine needles, hot winds, and no moisture cause conditions ripe for a raging uncontrollable fire. Is it asking too much for every person to make it their primary concern to do all they can do to prevent a fire? If we become aware of others creating situations that could cause a fire, can we take the initiative to confront them? Can we as parents and educators discuss fire safety with our FOR R COM MMISSIONER R Paid for by Robert Fuller Campaign. children and students? If you own property in Ogden Canyon, why not inspect it often to insure it is not being used as a campsite. It takes everyone pulling together to prevent forest fires. Carelessness knows no age limit. I realize that not all fires are started by careless people. Lightning also takes a toll on our 155 national forests and 21 national grasslands that cover almost 192 million acres. Added together, that covers an area bigger than Texas. But, you can make a difference in helping prevent human-started fires. The Forest Service Information Center located at the Union Station in downtown Ogden has several free pamphlets, literature, and Smokey Bear memorabilia that you can use to educate yourself and others in the prevention of forest fires. Remember, as Smokey Bear says, “Only YOU can Prevent Forest Fires!” The next Ogden Canyon Club (OCC) Board Meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., September 19, at The Oaks restaurant. Agenda items include: Fall Canyon Clean-Up Update Hidden Canyon Development Restoration of the Lime Kiln Ogden Canyon. Picture of the Month Harvest Moon Balloon Fest in August of 1998. Photo taken by Lyn Ruths of Eden. The O GDEN VALLEY N EWS prints a and should depict a Valley theme. “Picture of the Month” in each Photos may also be historical phomonth’s newspaper edition. At the tos of the Valley. Be sure to include end of the following year, a Valley your name, address, telephone numcalendar will be produced using the ber, and the name of the photograselected pictures. The calendar will pher. Also include something about be made available for purchase. So the picture - the approximate date, get your cameras ready and start and the who, what and when about it. shooting! Or, if you already have a Please note, collected pictures favorite photo, send it in. Your pic- will become the property of The tures may be black & white or color, O GDEN VALLEY N EWS . Send your pictures to: TheOGDENVALLEYNEWS PO BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 |
