June 4thFire & Water
To my dear TFMC family,
I had my letter for you ready to go today, but something has come up that I can’t ignore. This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, and one of the images that we often associate with Pentecost Sunday is that of fire. And we all know fire can be both a destructive and constructive force in the world. Today, I am grieving. Today, I am sad. And it’s because of fire.
This year, again, fires are burning in Northern Saskatchewan. And, as is my habit about this time of year, I have been keeping an eye on the wildfires out west. I usually track things on the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System Interactive Map. Yesterday, driving in, I heard news that La Ronge had been asked to evacuate, and I knew right away that was not a good thing. And immediately, I was trying to get in touch with my friends in Northern Saskatchewan. Text messages were exchanged, and I was assured that they were safe, but there’s still concern. My one friend wrote:
“At this time we are all safe in Missinipe. As you know the communities to the south of us have been evacuated. At this time the Pisew fire is still 35 km away with many lakes, rivers, streams, and recent burns between here and the fires edge. We feel safe here. However the roads are closed, the power, internet, and cell service is out with no estimated time of restoration. This is devastating as this is peak tourist season.”
When I would travel north in Saskatchewan, La Ronge was usually the last stop for fuel, groceries, and the end of the paved road. It was one of the last major cities on your way north. It had an airport and hospital, in addition to other essential services. La Ronge was essential not just to travellers going north, but also to the many indigenous communities which live in Northern Saskatchewan. One of the major landmarks of La Ronge burned overnight, Robertsons Trading Post. And while this makes news, there’s more than one significant fire burning in Saskatchewan.
My friend in their message didn’t mention the other major fires north and south of them, but I’m sure they’re watching. These wildfires, which seem to burn every year in Saskatchewan, don’t often make the news unless they impact major centers. However, I know that these fires impact so many more people and people’s livelihoods. This past February, when I was up visiting friends, I was shown how close the fire got to destroying one friend’s home, and how they needed to clear a portion of their land and build a helicopter pad so they could be evacuated.
I am aware of the many indigenous communities which are impacted by the fires this year. The list of evacuated communities, which CBC is reporting includes some that are reserves, and many are near reserves. These fires are impacting indigenous peoples more than they are impacting settlers. Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan will, disproportionately, feel the repercussions from these fires.
This Sunday, we will celebrate tongues of flames alighting upon the disciples as a physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit. A sign of hope for the future of God’s people. Today, I’m not hopeful. Today, I grieve the loss that many are feeling, that many don’t know about. This year, again, I’m feeling these fires personally, because I’ve been to these places, I’ve seen the beauty, a beauty which is now transformed. I’ve heard the stories; the history, the dreams, the hopes, and I can’t imagine the discouragement of having to start all over again, again. I can’t imagine the trauma that’s lived and re-lived with each record-setting wildfire season.
And while I can try to comfort myself, reminding myself that new life sprouts from wildfire, that fire is an essential part of the forest’s lifecycle, both of which are true, my heart is tired, fatigued, and overwhelmed by these wildfires year after year.
And yet, despite the despair, I continue to pray. Because it is the only thing I can do. I pray for rain. I pray for moisture and humidity. I pray for still days with no wind so that forest fighters to get ahead of these fires. I pray for peace and healing for my friends and their neighbours, all their neighbours. I pray for those opening their doors for all those who are evacuated. I pray for those who plan to return home, for those who hope to return home, for those who can return home, and for those who aren’t going to return home.
God of rain and water, quench these fires. Amen.
Craig Janzen Neufeld