California is burning

[Wustenfuchs]

This is getting crazy. Last I heard there were over 1400 wildfires going on here in Ca. Major fires to the north and south of us here in the Bay Area have been keeping us in smoke and ash for the last 3 weeks. I thought I was getting sick before I figured out it was the smoke making it difficult to breath, I even rubbed my eyes so much (felt like my eyes were full of cat fur!) I gave myself a black eye!!??!!?? One of my favorite camping spots in the Los Padres National Forest has burned. Grrrr.

Oh well, makes for some awesome sunrises and sunsets.

[Geek44]

Don't know about Californian flora mate, but ours is adapted for fire. There are many species that need fire to open seed pods. The seed pods are thus adapted to be cockatoo proof. Those birds can sever a finger as a German zoo keeper found out last year.
Hope they get things under control soon mate and that no homes are lost. Believe me...down here, we feel your pain.

[Freightshaker]

It was a complete haze coming north from the Grapevine all the way to the Siskiyous. At least it was keeping the temperatures down, it only made it to the high 70's in Sacramento when I was there.

[Jim O]

We have a couple of fires burning just to our south. The one that's been going in the Great Dismal Swamp for the last three weeks is fairly close. Both have also been burning underground in peat and causing awful smoke and smell. Fortunately no major structures are endangered but the air has not been conducive to outdoor fun on the majority of days.

[PatBC]

This is in Big Spur to help



Flying Tankers inc. - the largest flying boats ever flown operationally

[Geek44]

Every summer our state government hires 'Elvis' from the US which is a Skycrane helicopter modified for water bombing. There's also a Huey from Canada that spends the summer parked at our local golf course.
Eleven years ago, homes less than two miles from here were burnt out and a couple died.
Do you guys have a set of chores that need doing every season to minimise risk?

[Wustenfuchs]

Originally Posted by Geek44

Every summer our state government hires 'Elvis' from the US which is a Skycrane helicopter modified for water bombing. There's also a Huey from Canada that spends the summer parked at our local golf course.
Eleven years ago, homes less than two miles from here were burnt out and a couple died.
Do you guys have a set of chores that need doing every season to minimise risk?

Depending on where you live the city or county athourities usually require property owners to remove combustable material from within 30 to 35 feet of their homes. Additionally the city or county usually mows weeds and brush in a wide strip along roads and highways, where many fires seem to start.

Here's a Cal Fire map of the current situation. The Indians fire is the one that gave us the most problems with smoke and ash in the South Bay, also was the fire that burned one of my fave camping places.

2008 Interactive Fire Map - CA-OES

[Geek44]

Same things here but they go even further. The CFA (Country Fire Authority...all volunteers) do 'fuel reduction burns' in the cooler months to reduce the intensity if fires start in summer. Of course a large percentage of our fires are deliberately lit. There's actually been a firebug trying to burn our hills for the last three years. Last summer he lit 14 fires...all caught before much damage was done. They get fires in Greece and France of a similar scale to the ones seen in California and Australia as well. Last year in my state, we had a fire the size of Belgium.

[cyberia]

I live in a forest. Fires like that scare the hell out of me.

[Jim O]

Originally Posted by Wustenfuchs

The Indians fire is the one that gave us the most problems with smoke and ash in the South Bay, also was the fire that burned one of my fave camping places.

My son is just up the road from you in Mountainview. He's working in Palo Alto for the summer at a software company. He'll probably be back in that area when he gets his degree next year. I see there are fires in Yosemite. What's the status of the park?