Playing hard all summer long in northern Minnesota leads to a supaCharged, sexuality sparked fall. Finally free from wool and ice in late June, we flirt our fucking heads off come July&August- with our own bodies, with each other and with this amazing landscape we make love to every day. As endless sunshine, warmth, swim-able water, and outdoor adventure come to us, we feel more stamina for social/sexual fun. We’re filled with appreciation for wildnesses all around us and complete eagerness for what’s coming- summer long summer hard. New possibilities for pleasure exponentially appear and we get clear that we’re here to satisfy our con-sensual dreams. Sex toys purchased, dance parties spontaneously ignite.
By the time September and October ride in, licorice days and chocolate loud water, we can’t contain the erotic effervescence in us. We welcome pleasure like appetitive pros and have fun doing so. We tell more sex jokes, have second, third, fourth thoughts about what our puritanical, sex negative regional and national cultures deem “sexually inappropriate”. We say “fuck you Patriarchy I’m a pleasure activist” even louder. As womxn, trans folx, queers, PoC, witches, artists, academics, small business owners, feminists+++, we watch our selves and our circles proudly own our sexuality. We vigorously contemplate the complexity in enjoying “bodily things”, or feeling good, as folx on the margins.
When Samhain arrives, height of fire season, our sexuality is so hot it sparks Everything we do is flaming. New relationships burn bright. Our bodies and emotions are specimens of fitness. Physiological “fuels, weather, topography and risks” shout “I’m flammable”. Thus, we need to classify these sensations and experiences into a public information description of relative, current fire danger. We are all here burning. What’s your fire danger today? Do you feel it?
Just like The National Fire Danger Rating System or NFDRS, we use signs and adjectives to warn/invite folx into our physical/social/sexual spaces during this time of blaze. ‘Why didn’t I learn about NFDRS before now? Why am I not already an expert at applying NFDRS to (seasonal) relationship building ?’ you ask. Read on… and imagine yourself your own “fire manager” from here on out. All parentheses and quotes are mine.
The National Fire Danger Rating System or NFDRS is a system that allows fire managers (that’s you!) to estimate today's or tomorrow's fire danger for a given area. It combines the effects of existing and expected states of selected “fire” danger factors into one or more qualitative or numeric indices that reflect an area's “fire” protection needs. It links an organization's (in this case individual and communities) readiness level (or pre-planned “fire suppression” actions) to the potential fire problems of the day. Knowledge of these levels can help forest visitors make “decisions” about whether or not to have a “campfire or ride their OHV” in a “grassy area”. Homeowners may choose to postpone burning a debris pile (aka refrain from drama!) if they are aware of the fire danger level for that day. Contractors working in the forest may consider extra precautions when using equipment that might produce sparks. In some cases, the National Forest may even restrict certain activities based on the fire danger levels.
Shown below is a brief explanation of the different fire danger levels, using adjectives and colors based on criteria established by the NFDRS.
The Adjective Ratings are a public information description of the relative severity of the current fire danger situation in a general area. The key inputs into the NFDRS model are: fuels, weather, topography and risks.
Fire Danger Level: Low
When the fire danger is low it means that fuels do not ignite easily from small embers, but a more intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or dry rotten wood. Fires in open, dry grasslands may burn easily a few hours after a rain, but most wood fires will spread slowly, creeping or smoldering. Control of fires is generally easy.
Fire Danger Level: Moderate
When the fire danger is moderate it means that fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually pretty low. If a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate except in heavy concentrations of fuel, which may burn hot. Fires are still not likely to become serious and are often easy to control.
Fire Danger Level: High
When the fire danger is high, fires can start easily from most causes and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity burning on slopes or concentrated fuels. Fires can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still small.
Fire Danger Level: Very High
When the fire danger is very high, fires will start easily from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and have a quick increase in intensity, right after ignition. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirls. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires.
Fire Danger Level: Extreme
When the fire danger is extreme, fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning. Small fires become big fires much faster than at the very high level. Spot fires are probable, with long-distance spotting likely. These fires are very difficult to fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several days.