PHOTOS BY BERLEEN WOBETER Scenes from the recent fire north of Toledo on Thursday, Feb. 12.

It’s 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12. The sun is shining and there is a light breeze. The last of the snow is melting, and the Toledo Fire Department is just pulling out of our driveway.

It seemed like a good day to start some yard work and maybe burn the fence row. I doubted the leaves along the fence would burn as some were still wet underneath.

The flick of a lighter and the length of a brief moment, as I watched the debris catch on fire, taught me my assumption was wrong. Convinced this would go as every other burn, I let the flames burn to that magic spot where they always burn themselves out but this time the flames kept right on burning.

A gust of wind and the fire was heading into the pasture and down the fence row to our neighbor’s cornfield. Clearly, this was now too widespread for two people to stop.

The best choice was to call 911 and request an emergency response. One ring and my call was answered.

“Where is the emergency?” the dispatcher asked.

“2658 K Avenure”, I answered.

“Who is calling?”

“Berleen Wobeter.”

And with that, the fire department was dispatched and on the way. The next call was to our neighbors informing them, if they hadn’t already noticed, that their cornfield was on fire.

No buildings were in immediate danger so we positioned ourselves to be seen when the fire crew arrived to send them to the right field gates. The response was quick.

Four emergency fire vehicles and a supporting ambulance crew took action with practiced precision. Whatever they were doing prior to my call, I now had their full dedicated attention. The fire was readily controlled with their help and equipment.

We always know how important our emergency services and volunteers are but seeing them in action on my behalf was humbling and personal. I thanked them and encountered only patient kindness and a “That’s what we’re here for” spirit.

Thinking I would write this story to both highlight our emergency services and warn the public that fire season has arrived before one might imagine, I asked fire chief, Kendall Jordan, if he had anything to say. I might have deserved a warning about starting fires, but instead I got the response of a seasoned and all too wise fireman.

“I was expecting a call today or tomorrow,” he said.

I’m not happy I satisfied his expectation, but I am grateful he and the rest of the crew were ready to respond.