In mid-September, the National Interagency Fire Center reported that firefighters continued to battle 89 large blazes across the Western states and Alaska. In Canada last August, British Columbia alone had more than 500 separate wildfires.

You could say that both the U.S. and our northern neighbor were inflamed.

But you don't need timber and lightning to witness the ravages of inflammation firsthand. In fact, your own brain is a potential target, according to researchers from Germany's University of Bonn.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience pinpoints how poorly regulated inflammatory responses affect certain neurons and can lead to loss of brain cells — especially as you get older.

Major triggers are inflammatory foods such as added sugars and saturated fats, hormone-disrupting phthalates and BPA/BPS, and fiery habits like smoking, excess drinking, and lack of sleep.

If you have Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, or chronic stress, your body's also battling excess inflammation. So call out the fire brigade.

To put out your fires now try these three steps:

• Take 900 mg daily of DHA omega-3 from algae.

• Take a probiotic.

• Floss your teeth daily.

To banish destructive inflammation adopt these long-term habits:

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week (walking 10,000 steps or equivalent and strength building).

• Sleep seven to eight hours nightly.

• Eat inflammation-fighting foods, like salmon, olive oil, 100 percent whole grains, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.