Sorry, but I have to commence this week’s column with downness of the highest degree, speaking of the fierce wildfire over in the Pinelands, an area of the Mullica Basin I’ve frequented since kid times.

While there is no good time for a wildfire, there is a worst-possible time – which is nowabouts. Nature is in full bud and bloom. Wildlife is in the midst of procreation. Birds are deeply nesting. It is a time of essential revitalization for all things natural.