After the Fall
9″ x 7″ Acrylic on mount board

The mountains that surround us here in Fethiye are covered in pine forests and Spontaneous Combustion is a good description of the speed in which fires develop in this tinder dry environment.  Unfortunately there is nothing mystical about them and they are mostly caused by carelessness with cigarettes.  However,  barbecue fires,  Chinese lanterns and fireworks contribute and an article in our local news reporting the temporary banning of these activities  was in mind as I watched our local firefighting helicopter dumping huge buckets of water on the latest outbreak.  They begin with a wisp of smoke but just seconds later flames shoot up and trees almost explode in the heat.  Our daily breezes are onshore and away from the town but I’d hate to see one of  these fires develop with an offshore breeze.  Our fire fighting service are doing a fantastic job and I dedicate this painting to them.