We have angels watching over us. We know that. It is not everyday that this even comes to your attention however. It came to ours this week. We were just winding down for the night and Allen happened to walk past the one window in the front of the house that faces the paddock. Good thing too because just as he did he saw first sparks, then flames, shooting up some feet from the ground.

The prospect of fire on the prairie strikes fear into one’s heart, especially this time of year. The first year we were out here we watched a March fire burn through several properties in a matter of minutes. For whatever reason we were all pretty collected, though you do some fast figuring. Do we have time to get the animals out of the barn? How long til it would hit the house? What if it goes east first and blocks the drive?

Fortunately none of those questions needed an answer this time. Allen was able to get right out to the little fire and between him stomping and the providential location – right near the water tank, right after evening chores so it was soggy, and no wind this night – there was no escalation. Turns out the cord to the tank heater fried and began to light up. It was such a blessing that we were home, such a blessing that the kids made a mess with the water buckets this night.

Still it was sobering and reminded us to go over our evacuation plan and do an exterior electrical safety check.