Before we get going this Daylight Savings adjustment week, I wanted to take a moment to use an incredibly sophomoric headline to bring attention to the brave men and women stationed in our state's panhandle fighting the 412 Fire – a raging wildfire that has engulfed 29,000 acres in Beaver County in Oklahoma's panhandle.
CNN had this report on its front page:
A wildfire in Oklahoma has burned more than 29,000 acres, and officials are working to assess the damage to buildings.
Dubbed the 412 Fire, the blaze in the state's panhandle is 50% contained, said Michelle Finch-Walker with the Oklahoma Forestry Services, meaning half of the fire is surrounded by barriers that keep it from spreading at those points.
People in the towns of Beaver and Forgan in Beaver County were asked to evacuate Saturday as the fire was spreading quickly and threatened some houses.
There are about 5,000 residents in the county, according to the US Census Bureau.
We like to joke around on this site from time to time, but in all seriousness – props, appreciation and respect go out to the fine firefighters putting their life on the line to stop this blaze. They are heroes and much braver than you or I will ever be.
And, of course, our thoughts also go out to the Beaver residents affected by the blaze. I know the people of northwest Oklahoma lean staunchly to the right and are borderline libertarians, but even they'll have to admit that it's nice to have a government around to combat the dangerous wildfires that will likely grow in number thanks to global warming.
