There is a certain scent in the air during a dry spring day. A bit difficult to describe, but it’s there. The back of your neck has a small itch, and your mind is on the dead grass in the fields and the tinder that has been gathering in the woods all winter.

The Forest Fire Service has posted a Class Four red-flag day. You go to the fire station to check your equipment one more time and find several of your colleagues doing the same thing.

The fire towers are manned and checking for any trouble spots. Today is going to be a challenging day, and you know it. Welcome to New Hampshire and the beginning of forest fire season.

For some, it’s the beginning of salmon fishing season or the first day of baseball that marks the wonder of spring. For a firefighter, it is brush fire season.

Perhaps you’re thinking that we all must be a little soft in the head; you may be right. The awesome challenge of an out-of-control woods fire fought with a 40-pound can of water on your back and hand tools that have changed little in over 100 years is not for the faint of heart.

Likely, most sensible people would tend to keep a fair distance from a woods fire, and an even greater distance from the firemen who appear to be having a bit of fun. For a firefighter to be in such company is a draw that is impossible to explain.

Wildland firefighting is actually very serious work. The training, tools, and logistics are specialized and very different from structural firefighting.

There is no question that most firefighters are keenly aware of weather conditions and monitor the fire towers to maintain situational awareness. We do not look forward to the dangers of wildland fires, nor do we shy away from them. Our task is to protect each other and the community we serve.

Most fires are caused by careless disposal of smoking materials, recreational vehicles, or in rare cases, arson. During dry weather we ask that everyone be more aware of the dangers of even a small outside fire. A gust of wind will fan a campfire out of control in less than a minute.

We, your firefighters, are very grateful for your support in purchasing a new forest fire truck. This truck is capable of carrying several firefighters into the woods with pumps, water, and the tools needed to safely fight wildland fires.

We currently are in a very dry spell, with little rain predicated for more than a week. Wait, can you smell that scent? My neck is starting to itch….