HOT
Fire, Climate, and the Longing for Cool
Heat isn’t just a temperature—it’s a memory, a warning, and a longing. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores our fascination with fire, the discomfort of rising temperatures, and the emotional imprint of climate change on everyday life.
Remember when you were a little kid and were told not to touch the stove because it was hot, or to stay away from the fireplace so you wouldn’t get burned? Perhaps, your parents had a bonfire on the beach when you were on vacation or burned some stuff in an oil drum in the alley behind your place. Keeping your distance was the watchword. However, the lure of the fire was always more potent than the admonishment.
Every kid wants to get a stick and poke the fire. This seems so natural. And, doesn’t it make sense? You want to see the sparks fly and curl their way into the sky. You want to feel the heat and dance away from the floating embers so your clothes will not get burned.
We are fascinated by fire. For many years, a live fire was the only way to keep warm in the winter. I remember my uncle’s farmhouse had a very large potbelly stove in the living room. It had these dull glass panes in the front where you could watch the redness of the coals burning as the warmth exuded from all sides of that potbelly. The stove magically disappeared in the summer and that must have been a chore to move that heavy old thing but out it went.
Then we had to cope with the summer heat. I thought those summers were bad until the last few years. With global warming the summer seems to start much earlier each year and the heat is actually visible this year. I love spending time outside and we have some very pleasant places to relax. The deck has been cooled by an awning. The porch has been screened in and the garden has benches and large stones for sitting. None of that is in use with this heat.
So, the indoors must do while we gaze at the potential out there. Longing to escape becomes the experience of each day. Of course, I am grateful for the modern convenience of air conditioning and worry about those who do not have this luxury. I remember the farmhouse with every window open in hopes of catching a breeze. I also understand why the farmhouse had these big covered porches where you had the promise of shade and the hope of a breeze. Or you could make your own breeze by pumping the porch swing. That was pure luxury.
Today, luxury would be a break in this heat. Perhaps, if we did not live in the swamp of Washington, D.C. the scene would be different. I mean that literally.
Washington, D.C. was built on a swamp that was drained in order to make a city. I know what you were thinking!
Want to explore how fire and heat shape climate adaptation and emotional resilience? Visit Nature’s breakdown of extreme fire seasons and climate adaptation, MDPI’s strategies for managing fire in a changing climate, and Georgia Tech’s research on wildfire and global climate impact.
If you’re reflecting on climate stress, sensory memory, or emotional adaptation, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support insight, healing, and environmental resilience.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
