Four year old Braden Kerr of Thurmont went with his friend’s family to visit a farm last month to purchase baby chicks and ducks. Braden and his friend were playing when he accidentally tripped over an exposed tree root and fell into an area full of fresh dirt. Normally, a skinned knee would have been the result of the fall.

Unfortunately, unknown to Braden or his friend’s family, he fell into an area that just days before had been the site of a bonfire set by the farm’s owner. The area was grass free and covered with fresh dirt.

It looked completely normal, but the fire was not fully extinguished and the ground was still very hot. Hot enough to cause second and third degree burns on Braden’s hands, forearms and legs. Not only did the farm owner not put the fire out completely, he didn’t warn the visitors of the fire site.  The farmer had attempted to extinguish the remainder of the fire by covering it with dirt. However, several days later the ground was still very hot from burning embers and it was enough to cause severe injuries for Braden.

After spending 10 days at the Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, Braden is currently recovering at home from his burns.

This summer, The Catoctin Banner urges you to do your part and put your debris fires and campfires out completely by watering and stirring until the fire site is no longer hot in any way. You just might save an injury and/or prevent a wild fire.