It’s only been about two weeks since the Nakia Creek Fire started its fiery rampage, turning everything in its path into the thick smoky ash we breathe in every day. Yet when I asked the people in my school what they know about the fire, I got responses of, “It’s wildfire season,” and “I don’t know much, just that it’s nearby.”
How is it that so many people don’t know the fire was started by pyrotechnics? How is it that they can move on and forget about the Nakia Creek Fire so easily? The answer is simple. We’ve gotten used to seeing this amount of destruction.
That needs to change.
People must be aware that little things like lit cigarettes left on the floor, or big things like illegally using fireworks outside, can all equally cause mass destruction to our environment and neighborhoods. We can no longer afford to be ignorant of the potential danger this imposes on our health, safety and security. We can no longer remain idle and wait until the consequences walk up to our doorsteps.
We must make the demand for better policies on fire regulations and the responses to fires better.
