Federal prosecutors now are examining the possibility that Terry Lynn Barton may have deliberately started the Hayman fire because she wanted to be a hero by putting it out. The inferno begun by the U.S. Forest Service technician has blackened more than 100,000 acres near Denver and displaced more than 5,000 people.
Barton told investigators that on June 8, while on patrol in the Pike National Forest to enforce a fire ban that was imposed because of a drought, she did the unthinkable and burned a letter from her estranged husband in a campfire ring. She claims that she stayed with the fire until she thought it was out but, when she returned a few minutes later, discovered the blaze she could not control.
We've all done dumb things. Some of the smartest people do the dumbest things when they are in love. Otherwise good persons often will do dumb, hurtful things when they are rejected or otherwise betrayed by a lover.
By all accounts, Barton loved the great outdoors where she has worked part-time for the past 18 years and especially Pike National Forest. Last fall, she was made a permanent part of the workforce and was well on her way to realizing her dream of becoming a full-fledged forest ranger.
Divorce represents the worst kind of rejection or personal failure. It is a terrible blow to one's self-esteem. With the bulk of the long fire season ahead of us, and a plentiful supply of jilted lovers, I offer a list of 10 better ways to deal with an unwanted epistle and relieve your anger:
- Trample it with your feet. Jump up and down on it and grind it into the dirt.
- Nail it to a tree. Then, pound more nails into it until there is nothing left.
- Tie it to a railroad track. Sit beside the track until a train makes it evaporate.
- Tape it to a target and then get out your weapon of choice.
- Put it into hamburger and feed it to your dog.
- Mix it in cookie dough or one of his or her other favorite confections. Then, send it to your ex as a peace offering knowing that your former lover soon will be eating his or her words.
- Save it as a reminder to why you never ever want to get back together with this bum, just in case he or she tries to reconcile any time in the next 500 years.
- Tear it up into really small pieces. Throw them into a stream and let the current carry the hurtful message far, far away.
- Put it into a bowl of bleach and watch the words slowly fade into obscurity.
- Pray to God and ask Him for the wisdom to understand what caused the breakup and for the ability to forgive this person and, if necessary, yourself. Then, with the peace that passes all understanding, write your former lover a note of forgiveness and release. If appropriate, ask his or her forgiveness and give this person your blessing – your permission to have a great life.
In the Bible, the Apostle Paul reminds us, "Never pay back evil for evil," and "Never take your own revenge." He goes further, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him and if he is thirsty, give him a drink for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."
Nothing disarms or confounds an enemy like a simple act of forgiveness. In God's economy, forgiveness is essential. No one is perfect. Therefore, Jesus issued this warning: "If you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive men, then our Father will not forgive your transgressions."
That letter from her husband hurt Terry Barton. Whether she deliberately staged the fire to look like a hero or simply illegally burned the letter in a no fire zone, it was a foolish thing. As a result of her action, she has hurt her neighbors and co-workers.
The fire, the largest in Colorado's history, is expected to burn for another 70 to 90 days, which could bring the direct cost of her action to over $50 million. The blackened forest also will cost the state millions more due to the loss in tourism. However, apart from the clean-up and the rebuilding and replanting effort, the biggest challenge for the people of Colorado will be to find their own ability to forgive.