RUFUS, the Firehouse Dog: The Big Forest Fire

Children will empathize with Rufus (the firehouse Dalmatian) and his hungry sidekick, Maggie (the roving mouse) when they express their concern for the forest animals. Go with them on their adventure during an actual forest fire in the Okanagan Valley. This is a message of hope as they see that forest animals have ways of finding shelter in a fire.

These stories of a bear (Horace), a pair of rabbits (Powder and Puff), and a squirrel (Sally), that escaped the fire may help readers recognize that animals usually do find a way out. The book also addresses the role of faith and belief that all children seem to possess as well as the miraculous way this simple faith can be rewarded. Finally, it addresses the comforting fact that sometimes a fire is necessary to help keep the forests healthy– although we all must be aware that fire close to our homes is dangerous!

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On a hot August day, a bolt of lightning struck a tree on an island in the Okanagan and fire ignited. What made it especially dangerous was its proximity to communities along the beautiful Okanagan Lake, where rosy apples, sweet pears and delicious grapes grow in abundance.

In only a few days the fire was called a “Firestorm”, moving in an unpredictable, dangerous, and furious way along the ridge leading toward the city of Kelowna. For days, no one knew if the city would be devastated by this unstoppable fire. But thanks to the firefighters who flew in from around the world to help fight the blaze--- plus well-timed rain, the city was spared.

Helicopters and water bombers flew overhead; close enough that they could almost see the pilots, as the author and her grandson watched from their front steps. Four-year-old Caleb shouted words of encouragement to them: “You’re doing a good job putting out the fire!!” I’m almost sure they could hear his voice and see him wave to them.

The Council of Forest Industries used this book as part of the education program in elementary schools in British Columbia in 2003/04 and reviews were glowing. It has now been updated and re-illustrated with beautiful, colorful images. Follow the three main characters, Rufus the Dalmatian, Maggie the Mouse, and Chester the Cat as they tell the story of the Furious, Relentless, and Dangerous Fire, and see how the forest animals found unique and creative ways to escape.

Here are some Forest Fire Facts:

• Ecologists consider lightning-caused forest fires to be beneficial to wildland areas
• Most seeds survive a fire, waiting for moisture so they can grow
• Wildland fires release carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus which foster new growth
• Rodents that eat seeds have more to eat
• Hunting birds have an easier time finding prey
• Woodpeckers have more food sources
• Grasslands return to pre-fire appearance within a few years of a fire
• Some grasses regrow within days and are more nutritious than before the fire
• Bears graze more often in burned than unburned areas
• Most naturally-caused forest fires go out naturally.