Consumed by Fire

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The artist must create a spark before he can make a fire,

and before art is born, the artist must be ready to be consumed

by the fire of his own creation. - Auguste Rodin

Flames and Smoke 24 x 36” Oil © Louis Copt

Travelers driving through the Great Plains of the Midwest may be shocked to see massive acreages of the landscape on fire each spring. These burns are prescribed and managed in order to rejuvenate the prairies, imitating the lightning strikes and fires that maintained the grasslands in the past. Many ecosystems native to the area depended upon periodic fires to suppress invasive plants and to ensure the long-term survival of native species.

It is a controversial practice. The smoke, which is made of particulate matter can be a health hazard for those with respiratory problems. Smoke can also cause visibility issues particularly near to major highways. The burns require pla…