... continued from Cover went hand in hand with fire before man arrived on the scene. But when our structures faced threats to their security, the government declared war on all fire, and that allowed forests to become very overgrown — as compared to the healthy “wiping clean” of the underbrush every decade or so. Throw in the fact that an average wildfire can cause millions of dollars in damage, and it’s not hard to see how the Camp Fire in California, which destroyed entire towns, has many worried for the future of fire in this century. What happens if these fires continue to get worse? We might find an answer in the past. Back in 1910, we saw the first billion-dollar fire, burning in August of that year over a two- day period. It had been a bad season, and heat and drought made for a perfect tinderbox situation to be ignited by weather as well as by the embers floating away from the fire and across other areas. The most famous story from this fire came from Ed Pulaski, fire crew boss and designer of the Pulaski fire tool. Pulaski led his men into an old mining tunnel, the fire in hot pursuit, with Ed trailing in the back near the front of the tunnel to ensure none of his men were killed. They all survived, and though Ed lived with health
issues for the rest of his life after the incident, his story serves as an example of bravery and inspiration as we deal with wildfires in the 21st century. Will we ever see a summer without smoke? Of course. But that may be less common, and it doesn’t mean we have to stop enjoying the summertime. So, remember to be safe, drink plenty of water, and bring your mask, even if COVID-19 isn’t as much of an issue in your city. If the fires start up late in the season, you may be glad to have it!
5Ways to Fit Extra Movement Into Your Day
No. 2: Drink more water. Drinking plenty of water is healthy for flushing out bacteria in your system, but it’s also a great way of helping you get up from your desk. The more water you drink, the more times you’ll have to refill it in your kitchen or at the watercooler. And, on your way back to your workspace, take the long way around to say hi to your coworkers! No. 3: Stretch in doorways. Our shoulders and neck can quickly get sore from the amount of time we spend slouching in front of our screens. An easy way to relieve the stress is to press your hands on either side of a door frame, then lean forward as far as you can. If you don’t have a doorway to use, you can try doing shoulder shrugs or neck rolls right at your desk to ease some stress or even just clear your head. No. 4: Do more calf raises. One of the easiest exercises to do in public or at home are calf raises. Do this by simply raising your feet high off the ground one at a time. Squats and lunges are also easy to do but may require more flexible clothing than you’re wearing and a space where you can move freely. No. 5: Walk for all of your phone calls. Sometimes, people start walking naturally while they’re on a phone call. Why not make it an intentional movement every time you take a call? Studies show that walking will keep your body in high gear by encouraging energy and productivity!
If you’re restless at your desk, extra exercise and movement might be exactly what the doctor ordered. Even just a little bit of unplanned movement every day can help boost your mood and maintain good blood circulation. Here are five ways you can fit in extra movement without losing your productivity! No. 1: Park farther away. It might be more convenient to park as close to your destination as you can, but parking farther away can add some extra steps. It’s a small difference that certainly can’t replace regular cardio, but it doesn’t hurt either!
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