Fireweed

Alaska is truly a land of extremes. This spring, we had a large wildfire about 16 miles from town. It was out of control for several days as thousands of acres were lost, including 14 structures. Homes were evacuated, roads closed, and lives changed. However, in late July, a very unique phenomena began to occur... the season of the Fireweed.

You see, in Alaska Fireweed is the first thing to grow after a fire has swept through. These plants grow and flower as long as there is open space and plenty of light. As trees and brush grow larger the Fireweed dies out, but the seeds remain viable in the soil for many years. When a new fire or other disturbance occurs that opens up the ground to light again the seeds germinate. Some areas with heavy seed counts in the soil, after burning, can be covered with pure dense stands of this amazing species, and, when in flower, the landscape is turned into fields of color.

Not only that, but locals make candies, syrups, jellies, and even ice cream from Fireweed. Even monofloral honey made primarily from fireweed nectar has a distinctive, spiced flavor.

Perhaps there is a larger lesson to be learned here. We've all heard the sayings about a phoenix rising from the fire or baptism by fire. In this case, the fireweed doesn't permanently take over, but rather provides some relief for a burned landscape until other flora and fauna begin to take hold again. Then it simply lays in wait until the land calls out for it again.

Residents here truly do know how to make "lemons out of lemonade"... or is that "jelly out of Fireweed."