Those fires that broke out a few miles from my house? They were having a fundraiser yesterday to help people affected by the fire.  Even the firefighters showed up…. and then had to leave to fight a fire.

Their chance to relax was short-lived, however, as a callout to a nearby brush fire had the firefighters rushing to get to their trucks.

Investigators said the fire was started when embers from an unattended grill touched the dry vegetation surrounding it. An AFD spokesman said firefighters were able to get it under control quickly and that other responding units were canceled.

Look folks. I know we all think it can’t happen to us, that it can’t happen because of us. That we’re all responsible with fire and our grills and smokers.

But it can happen, and we all slip up.

Even “contained” fires, like in a grill or smoker, are still risky. We’re having some seriously high winds, and all it takes is one ember to go flying. I know from my years of working with wood and charcoal grills and smokers that embers can and do escape. I was wanting to smoke some bacon-wrapped venison and hog backstraps for my Easter supper today, but because of conditions I will not. Yeah it sucks, but more wildfires, more loss of homes — especially my own — is not an appealing thought.

Please folks. Show restraint. It can happen. It does happen. I love BBQ, but I’d hate to lose my house or for you to lose yours. Don’t risk being the one responsible for another fire, for someone’s loss of their home.