Wildfire(s) Out West

mace1229

brianlux said:

stuckinline said:

brianlux said:

Beside a nearly ubiquitous and omnipresent pall of smoke hanging over much of California (including our own place here in El Dorado County), a heaviness hangs over most of the people I've talked to or run into recently.   Our thoughts and concerns are burdensome.  With the exception of those with little or no sense of the hazards of unrestrained wildfire (see post #110 above), worry is the near constant mindset of many, and vigilance of those more inclined to having acute survival instincts.  

What is happening in this state is unprecedented- certainly in my life time beginning in 1951- and probably for all of recorded history since statehood here, which in two days will bee 170 years.    California has now set a new record of 2 million acres burned, and we are still early in the fire season.  As bad as things have been the last few weeks, suddenly a new inferno has ignited.  The unprecedented Creek Fire is raging in Sierra National Forest, tearing a a viscous rate through forests that are 80-90% dead due to bark beetle infestation.  That latter fact alone suggests at least a few tangents of deep concern.

I guess none of this should come as a surprise.  Nature works by way of a system of balances.  Short of total destruction, nature will always operate on a system of balances.  Mother Nature has kicked what she does into high gear and no one is standing in her way.  That's easy to say and understand from a biological perspective.  It's damn frightening from a human perspective. 

I and many others will rejoice when our first rains come this year.

Brian, let us know if you need anything. Stay safe!

Thanks so much, S! 

We're doing OK but the smoke has been overwhelming today and there yet another new fire up the hill from us a ways.  I seriously doubt this one will get too close but these fires are popping up like Whac-A-Moles.  California is up to 2.2 million acres burning and we're hardly out of the starting gate with fire season.  It's unnerving as hell!

That said, I rejoice at the good things in life as much as possible.  Several good things happened today:

-I didn't have to confront my chiropractor about wearing a mask- every one had masks on.

-My dentist told me everything is in great shape- no new fillings!

-I found a few decent records to take into the shop today.

-The power stayed on (holy crap!  That's a blessing and a half!)

-And a friend gave me some bubble wrap today.  Bubble-fucking-wrap!!!  Whoo hooo!!!

My parents live in your area and were staying at their river house in Trail, Oregon (about 30 miles from Crater Lake). They had a mandatory evacuation from Trail 2 days ago and on the map the fires are just a couple miles from the house. It took them 3.5 hours to drive 40 miles to Medford due to the fires and evacuations, which was under evacuation warning at the time. I think its been lifted since. 
They haven't decided if they are coming home because apparently its terrible there too like you said.

Melzombie

thinking of all you on the west coast- I know what it's like to evacuate for a hurricane.

brianlux

Melzombie said:

thinking of all you on the west coast- I know what it's like to evacuate for a hurricane.

Thank you!

I hope you have not suffered loss due to hurricanes.  I always worry about my family in friends in Florida during hurricane season.

Bentleyspop

hedonist said:

Aside from the parents-to-be and maybe some close family or friends, do people really care what sex the fetus is?  I mean, to the point of such hoopla?  Even in "normal" times, I find the whole thing silly and overly self-involved.

Silly? Naaah...

 

https://twitter.com/TheSun/status/1304555319725625349?s=19

Melzombie

excuse my ignorance, but how does a wildfire get contained? like what are they doing now to stop it? 

brianlux

Melzombie said:

excuse my ignorance, but how does a wildfire get contained? like what are they doing now to stop it? 

No problem!   

Containment means a fire is unlikely to spread beyond a line that has been cut either but with bulldozers, chain saws, and hand tools such as McCloud or a Pulaski, or by using a back fire.  Back fires are fires set outside the perimeter of the fire at a time when the wind will blow the intentionally created fire  toward the existing fire.  This is where the term "fighting fire with fire" comes from.

Unfortunately, it's not an exact science.  The problem is that winds are not 100% predictable, and fires create their own wind and weather.

I only know this much because my wife's former husband was a fire fighter for many years.  I also have had a number of fire fighting friends and have a friend who is a fairly high ranking member of Cal Fire.  My hat really goes off to these folks.  I'm absolutely amazed and grateful for the work they do!

Melzombie

so one just hopes the fires eventually stop spreading? can this go on for months and months? 

brianlux

Melzombie said:

so one just hopes the fires eventually stop spreading? can this go on for months and months? 

That is the hope, for sure.  That or rain.  In dry places like Calif, it's very hard to contain the giant fires.  It often takes rain to put them out or slow them down enough to get a handle on them. 

I just read that Oregon (which is suffering tremendous fires as well as us here in Calif.), is expecting rain in three days.  So glad for them!

Yes, the fires can last for weeks or even months here in semi-arid California.  Some of the big ones burning here now are close to a month and could continue so for weeks to come.   We are SO hoping for rain but we don't normally get rain until October or even November.

brianlux

Ten years ago, the largest wildfire in California's recorded history was the 1932 Matilija Fire at 220,000 acres.  Today the largest wildfire in California history is the currently burning August Complex at 875,059 acres.  And that fire is only 25% contained. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_wildfires#Largest_wildfires

We need to vote out all climate change deniers (most of whom are Republicans), vote in environmentally responsible candidates, and then demand greater measures to reduce climate change and demand more than lip service.

hedonist

brianlux said:

Ten years ago, the largest wildfire in California's recorded history was the 1932 Matilija Fire at 220,000 acres.  Today the largest wildfire in California history is the currently burning August Complex at 875,059 acres.  And that fire is only 25% contained. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_wildfires#Largest_wildfires

We need to vote out all climate change deniers (most of whom are Republicans), vote in environmentally responsible candidates, and then demand greater measures to reduce climate change and demand more than lip service.

I really, really wish that "most Republicans" and all political refs were removed.  Wishful thinking, I know!

The ones I know don't want shit burning, and are willing to help create a better environment for themselves and their children.

brianlux

hedonist said:

brianlux said:

Ten years ago, the largest wildfire in California's recorded history was the 1932 Matilija Fire at 220,000 acres.  Today the largest wildfire in California history is the currently burning August Complex at 875,059 acres.  And that fire is only 25% contained. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_wildfires#Largest_wildfires

We need to vote out all climate change deniers (most of whom are Republicans), vote in environmentally responsible candidates, and then demand greater measures to reduce climate change and demand more than lip service.

I really, really wish that "most Republicans" and all political refs were removed.  Wishful thinking, I know!

The ones I know don't want shit burning, and are willing to help create a better environment for themselves and their children.

I hope so Hedo.

The last politician we had that I really had faith in on environment was Alan Cranston.  I know he was involved in some financial controversy, but he fought hard for wilderness conservation and other environmental issues.  When I wrote to him a detailed letter about my concerns and thanked him for his efforts, he sent me a long, personal letter that pertinent to everything I wrote to him about- in other words, not a form letter, but an actual thoughtful response.   I don't expect something like that to happen again, but I hope there are people in positions of power that are working that hard for the environment.  We need that now more than ever.  

Hi!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlive.com/weather/2020/09/thick-plume-of-west-coast-wildfire-smoke-coming-toward-michigan.html%3FoutputType%3Damp

brianlux

Hi! said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlive.com/weather/2020/09/thick-plume-of-west-coast-wildfire-smoke-coming-toward-michigan.html%3FoutputType%3Damp

Holy smoke!  Well, it actually feels more devilish. 

I was just reading an article somewhere about how the air near some of the big fires here and in Oregon is so off the scale they don't even totally understand how bad it is for people health.  And at a time of a pandemic which often affects lungs and breathing.  Unsettling thoughts, for sure.

Hi!

brianlux said:

Hi! said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlive.com/weather/2020/09/thick-plume-of-west-coast-wildfire-smoke-coming-toward-michigan.html%3FoutputType%3Damp

Holy smoke!  Well, it actually feels more devilish. 

I was just reading an article somewhere about how the air near some of the big fires here and in Oregon is so off the scale they don't even totally understand how bad it is for people health.  And at a time of a pandemic which often affects lungs and breathing.  Unsettling thoughts, for sure.

Don’t even know what to say, it’s though to watch/see all the devastation. I know my aunt( who lives in Oregon, Grants Pass I think?) recently called my mom, she didn’t evacuate but were on standby in case they needed to. Sorry, bro. We are the types who like to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, it’s tough.

brianlux

Hi! said:

brianlux said:

Hi! said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlive.com/weather/2020/09/thick-plume-of-west-coast-wildfire-smoke-coming-toward-michigan.html%3FoutputType%3Damp

Holy smoke!  Well, it actually feels more devilish. 

I was just reading an article somewhere about how the air near some of the big fires here and in Oregon is so off the scale they don't even totally understand how bad it is for people health.  And at a time of a pandemic which often affects lungs and breathing.  Unsettling thoughts, for sure.

Don’t even know what to say, it’s though to watch/see all the devastation. I know my aunt( who lives in Oregon, Grants Pass I think?) recently called my mom, she didn’t evacuate but were on standby in case they needed to. Sorry, bro. We are the types who like to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, it’s tough.

Thanks, my friend. 

There's a specific song in the back of my mind about how hard it is to carry the weight of the world.  Can't come up with it though as I'm listening to Wayne Shorter right now.  Some fine jazz to clear the head!

Oh wait- got it! R.E.M.  "Not e-ver-y-one/ can carry the weight of the world..."

jerparker20

Hi! said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlive.com/weather/2020/09/thick-plume-of-west-coast-wildfire-smoke-coming-toward-michigan.html%3FoutputType%3Damp

It was extremely hazy here in MN last night and this morning. Much clearer tonight. I got family in Portland, Fresno, and outside of San Fran. Some of the pictures are beyond nuts. Stay safe out there.

Hi!

jerparker20 said:

Hi! said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlive.com/weather/2020/09/thick-plume-of-west-coast-wildfire-smoke-coming-toward-michigan.html%3FoutputType%3Damp

It was extremely hazy here in MN last night and this morning. Much clearer tonight. I got family in Portland, Fresno, and outside of San Fran. Some of the pictures are beyond nuts. Stay safe out there.

I would say hazy for most the day here today. The picture in the article is accurate to what I’ve seen all day. I did drive by the lake at sunset and nothing. No color, just grey, but not really any clouds, so unusual. I do enjoy a nice sunset but not at the expense of all the devastation.

brianlux

Ah oh.  Time to go outside and break shit again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_YlacDJCZ0

Zod

It's nasty here in Victoria.   Been super smokey for days.  The air quality rating has been at it's highest 10+.  Some of the lowest air quality on the planet right now.  All the washington, oregon, and california smoke has been moving north and flowing straight here.   Took a few days, but my asthma is protesting.

Of course my shit's not on fire, and eventually the wind will switch back to it's more regular west to east and clear out.  I can tough it out.

mace1229

brianlux said:

Ten years ago, the largest wildfire in California's recorded history was the 1932 Matilija Fire at 220,000 acres.  Today the largest wildfire in California history is the currently burning August Complex at 875,059 acres.  And that fire is only 25% contained. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_wildfires#Largest_wildfires

We need to vote out all climate change deniers (most of whom are Republicans), vote in environmentally responsible candidates, and then demand greater measures to reduce climate change and demand more than lip service.

What was really shocking and sad is out of the top 10 biggest fires in their history, 4 are burning right now. And a 5th is just outside the top 10.