Well, we all know that Lent is a time for self-reflection, and I thought maybe a little self-reflection might be necessary when I got really excited about an email I received one afternoon with the subject line "Prairie burning tomorrow!" Then I decided, nah, no time for self-refection, we've got a fire to go to! 
It was one of those opportunities that just don't present themselves often, sort of a jewel in the rough (or a fire in a field, as the case may be). The occasion was the controlled burn of a prairie at a local eco-system, which helps control invasive plant growth, thins out the shrubbery, and prevents inconvenient lightning fires. But let me address the most important question: Were the firetrucks there? Why yes, they were! And we ignored completely the "baby" Forest Service pickup trucks and followed Dominic straight to the hook-and-ladder trucks ("Big ire-truk! Big ire-truck! Me drive! Yea!").
We watched from the deck of the outdoor classroom, and we were allowed to get surprisingly close (close enough to identify the numerous rats, mice, shrews and rabbits that scampered from the prairie to safety). The Forest Service and Prairie Ridge staff answered all of our questions patiently (Me: "What kind of invasive plants do you generally see?" Catherine: "Are the animals okay?" Vincent: "Can you set more fires?" Dominic: "Me drive ire-truck?"). 
In two weeks the prairie grasses should start rejuvenating, so we'll be heading out there again to see the regrowth in action. But somehow, I think it might be a little disappointing, and that all I'm going to hear is "Where big ire-truck? Me drive?"
