Water is for spraying, not surfing. When someone says that the 'dozers have cleared up the scratchline and the hand crews can move in for cold trailing and mop-up, everyone knows what to do. And don't worry about beer parties. The 5,000 or so firefighters spread throughout Florida are up before dawn and working until dark, with just enough energy left over at night to clean up and chow down. Trees are bare.
Plants are black.
Leaves have turned orange and brown, like New England in late autumn. Second, firefighters are everywhere. You can tell them by their nearly incomprehensible discussions of flashovers and fuel types, hot spots and hotshots. The most lasting impression, however, is the amiable behavior of both residents and firefighters. One side reeling from disaster and the other exhaustion, they are unfailingly upbeat and polite.