I am on my way back to British Columbia from the Northwest Territories, this time via a more southerly route than the one I usually take.

Because of this extremely dry, early spring, there are ferocious wildfires in northern Alberta right now. The smoke from these fires is blanketing much of North America.

As we left the Territories, there were many evacuations and our drive through northern Alberta became rather tense when we encountered a long stretch of very dark, orange-hued, smoke-filled skies.

Long, gentle, soaking rains would be an excellent thing right now. Let’s hope we get some.