By BARBARA SIMPSON
It seems no matter where you read the news, the headlines deal with out-of-control wildfires.
The biggest story of the past few weeks dealt with the devastation on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The ancient town of Lahaina, former capital of the Hawaiian aristocracy, was destroyed in addition to thousands of businesses and homes of Hawaiian citizens. The dollar estimation of the losses is estimated to be in the billions.
The total death count isn’t even known at this point, as the search for human remains continues. The death toll as of August 26 was 115. Whether the dead are adults or children, the horror of the devastation is indescribable.
In his homily for August 13, Bishop Larry Silva of Honolulu offered these words of consolation to the people of Maui, which can apply equally well to the mainland victims of fires:
“As we hear about Jesus walking on water in the midst of a terrible storm, we might ask ourselves: Which is easier: to walk on water; or to suffer through the terrible grief that comes with the loss of so many loved ones and neighbors? Which is easier: to walk on water, or to rebuild a ruined city? Which is easier: to walk on water, or to restore the livelihoods that have been lost to this terrible devastation? Yet Jesus assures us that not only He, who is God, can walk on water, but that even a human being like Peter can walk on water.
“Yes, Peter lost his faith for a moment, but he had the good sense to call to the Lord, who saved him. We, too, can walk on water and accomplish all those other things that seem to be so impossible — if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He can calm the storms, give us the ability to accomplish miraculous deeds, and keep us afloat when we think we are drowning in the overwhelming misery that surrounds us.
“This is not to say that we will not have our moments of anger, hurt, and great frustration. As Paul speaks about the people of Israel and their adoption as beloved children of God, we must remember that the word ‘Israel’ means ‘one who wrestles with God.’ We may very well have questions about how a good and loving God could allow such tragedy to affect so many lives. We may have doubts about His goodness. His tiny, whispering voice may very well be drowned out by grief, anxiety, and frustration. Yet, it is important at these times to wrestle with God.
“We should not give God the silent treatment. When we are angry or frustrated or hurt, we should feel free to express these feelings to God. He can take it! He will still love us. And He will stretch out His hand to catch us from drowning in our sorrow.”
But while the American headlines focused on Maui, fires have continued to burn across the world — some near our country and others far away.
Flames have raged across Greece, some near Athens and others on various Greek islands. Investigations continue and the Greek fire department has arrested two men for allegedly starting wildfires that have been blamed for 21 deaths.
The first individual confessed to setting at least five fires over the summer. The second man was arrested for deliberately setting other fires.
There have been dozens of fires in Greece — in fact, firefighters just last week were tackling 111 blazes, including 59 that had broken out in just the prior 24 hours!
“Some…arsonists are setting fires, endangering forests, property, and above all human lives,” Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassiis Kikilias said this past week.
He continued, “What is happening is not just unacceptable but despicable and criminal….You are committing a crime against the country. We will find you. You will be held accountable to justice.”
As the investigation there continues, the destruction figures and death count continue to rise. The fires in Greece are in addition to blazes in the Canary Islands and the borders between Greece, Portugal, and Italy.
Canada is being ravaged by more than 360 fires in British Columbia alone, with more expected, and 230 fires in the Northwest Territories, where 60 percent of the residents have been evacuated. In fact, that means tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate.
One of those fires, west of Yellowknife, has already burned more than 407,000 acres and is still out of control. Smoke from all of those fires have covered that country and drifted into the United States, delivering heavy air contamination across many states.
It’s estimated that nearly 34 million acres have burned in Canada, an area larger than Nicaragua, the largest in recorded history with every province in that country affected.
The U.S. hasn’t had any major fire in the headlines in the lower 48 this season, but there are, in fact, fires burning near Spokane. The fires from Canada, burning there since July and having destroyed at least 54,000 acres, have spread into the U.S., and are causing major evacuations and destruction as they move.
It’s reported that one death has been reported and that more than 10,800 acres in the U.S. have so far been burned. The community of Medical Lake in Washington has been ordered to evacuate and there are warnings for residents in the Spokane area.
And lest you think that there are no fires anywhere else in this country — think again, even though they haven’t reached “headline status.”
Checking with fire officials, the reality is that there are 511 fires of various sizes burning now in 14 states! No doubt the local news headlines are focusing on them even though they haven’t hit the national news — yet.
Considering that we are barely at the beginning of “fire season,” what awaits us is frightening. All I can say is “pray for rain!” no matter where you live. As I write this during the last weekend of August, it looks like those prayers will be answered in the Spokane area, with a forecast of midweek thunderstorms and showers.
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