There are wildfires raging in Europe. It is a tragedy and my heart goes out to those who are losing everything day by day.

I will not say “I feel your pain”, that would be trite and insulting. I try to think of the worst desolation I have felt( and I ‘ve had a few) and then double or treble it. I will not say “I’m sorry for your loss”, just another insulting cliche. I can’t get near it, so I won’t try.

But,

I heard a reporter on a national news programme, standing against a backdrop of raging flames, saying: “an out of control wildfire”.

Lady,  it’s a wildfire. It’s out of control. By definition. The clue is in the name, Stupid.

A reporter is supposed to have a brain, be articulate and at least understand the basics of what is being reported.