Alex has been hospitalized only twice in the last four years - during the 1994 and 1995 grass burning seasons. A catheter is put in her arm and she is poked with needles. She doesn't understand why her mother lets the doctors do these things to her. Her eyes fill with tears when people talk about grass burning.

In 1996, Trina tried to protect her daughter by taking her out of the area during the worst of the burning. She returned only after a grass industry spokesman assured her that it was safe. It wasn't. On September 18th, grass fields in South Spokane and Benewah counties were burning. A wind shift brought the smoke pouring into Alex's home. Alex, who had done so well, was once again in crisis. Weeks of cortisone and other medications were necessary to restore her breathing.

In 1997, Trina and Alex again fled their home. Trina, who must miss nearly 2 months from work, worries about losing her job which is the family's only source of health insurance. Jim struggles at home alone taking care of their two other children while trying to hold down his job. Alex was to begin kindergarten this year but her class started without her. It wasn't safe for her to come home.

This is a cost of burning bluegrass that people like Alex and her family are expected to pay.

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"This has been the most terrifying experience of my life. I don't understand how they can do this." Trina Heisel, Spokesman Review, 9/19/96