Wildfire Sunset

Our March weather has been remarkably warm and dry, heightening the risk of wildfire (from the Old English wildfȳr). And lo, a string of brush fires and grass fires ignited in the prairie land west of the metro area. The worst of the fires was a controlled burn that got fanned out of control by the brisk wind coming down from the mountains.

The wind carried smoke and ash across the metro area, enveloping everything in a gray haze that stung the eyes. At sunset the sky was a fiery red, as if lit up by some vast volcano beyond the office buildings.