Fire may be a four letter word and, we have to admit, its destructive forces have played havoc with homes, businesses and our beautiful open lands and forests.

But now, fire in a controlled situation is playing a major role in the beautification of residential and commercial landscaping.

We are in a land of obsessed people...obsessed with the desire to be a step or two ahead of the world with innovation. Now innovation is a big word, but it is one the American public is always tackling.

So how do innovation and fire apply to landscape?

Take a look around you...that new subdivision down the street has incorporated new ideas in its landscape design; your next door neighbor just had his home landscaped (it looks better than yours); and even the city in which you live has taken steps to give the downtown area a new and more impressive look. These changes are all brought about by innovation...taking that one more step to have something the other guy doesn't have----yet.

But in our individual desire to impress, homeowners must rely on the real innovators....the manufacturer.....to provide us with the ideas and the products to turn our obsession into something real.

So here's where fire comes in

Although the caveman is indirectly credited with the discovery of fire, his actions were the first step in, say, outdoor cooking. Ahh, there was nothing like dinosaur on the barby in those good old days. The cowboy was next with his two-pound steak cooked over an open fire at his home on the range...git along little doggy. Which brings us to today's method of outdoor cookery---the barbeque grill.

In the beginning, charcoal was in the forefront, it was the main source for barbecue grill power. The corner markets tried to keep up with demand every summer and kept tons and tons of charcoal bags on its shelves. But then came those fantastic grills which used propane and/or natural gas. Gone was the charcoal taste from the sizzling hamburgers. This set the wheels in motion and manufacturers started coming up with products which would blend much better with the landscape.

But the manufacturers didn't limit themselves to the gases. For aesthetic value, they also went with wood-burning units. This type of unit blended better with landscape designs because of its more natural appeal. Plus, in our cost-conscience society, burning wood to cook in the backyard is far more attractive than using gas or charcoal.

These units can also be used as fireplaces...imagine, a fireplace in your own backyard. What a way to satisfy your entertaining needs and budgets.

Fire pits, especially those designed with volcanic rock or a refractory log set, are other items which are normally incorporated in a landscape.

Fire pits create an ambiance which lets you enjoy relaxation right in your own backyard. There's nothing like sitting around the fire pit in summer enjoying a warm blaze to battle that cool breeze. Most pits are fueled by natural gas for maintenance purposes.

The latest innovation which is centered around fire is the torch.

As the name implies, the torch carries a flame of up to 15 inches high. Strategically placed it will lend to the beauty of a lush landscape. The unit has a steel base and stem. It is designed to be used with natural gas.

To quote from one company's sales brochure: "We are proud to claim that no home enhancement torch has ever been so carefully designed for ease of use and aesthetic elegance."

Yes, there is fire in the landscape. And this fire could burn forever, thanks to the innovation and imagination of the manufacturers. LCM