Nature Bats Last

"Nature bats last" - a quote from Joel Staunton of Polyface Farms.
How true this is when we consider the forces of nature, especially during this time of wildfires throughout southern California. Whether it be floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts or wildfires, these Mother Nature wake-up calls reaffirm the fact that humans cannot completely control the cycles of our natural world.
Me and my family were in close proximity to the fires in San Diego county, but thankfully not directly in harms way. It is always very disheartening to see anyone's home and property destroyed. During this fire it happened over and over, almost to the point where it became mind-dumbing to see it on TV.
We try our best to make comfortable living spaces for ourselves. Our houses protest us from the elements and provide a home for our family, pets, and belongings. Over the years our homes have continued to encroach on the wilderness. Doing so provides cheaper land for building houses and lets us live closer to nature. Of course, this comes at a cost. In doing so, we place ourselves closer to the potential destructive forces of nature.
In and of itself, wildfires are not a bad thing. It is just one of natures many cleansing cycles. The fire burns away the old overgrowth, provides natural fertilizer, and even allows some seeds to germinate. The problem for humans is that we like to live near this wilderness, so we become more vulnerable to its forces. We must accept that we can try to protect ourselves from these forces, but ultimately we do not bat last.