These Fires Are Really Messing With Me.

Remy

Well-known Member
Location
California, USA
Latest is the "Electra" fire. What I heard on San Francisco KGO Newstalk this morning, they believe it was started by either a BBQ or fireworks. So probably man made. Unlike the beyond horrible lightening complex fires last year that were started by lightening. That day there was a lightening strike fire in the rolling hills not far from me, but they got it quickly.

Electra Fire in Amadaor County: PG&E says it’s not responsible for sparking blaze (sfchronicle.com)

The headline on this article really makes me sick. That's the first thing this terrible company has to say. Well you did burn down the town of Paradise and a good portion of Magalia (above Paradise) so shut up.

The fires cause me stress. I don't know why they do, but they do. My apartment is relatively near the edge of town with undeveloped hills to the east. I worry about fires here too. I worry this place will burn. Something a number of years ago was never a thought living in a town.
 

I understand your stress, remy. We‘re in town and were under evacuation alert last year; some areas were under Order. This reminds me that I should review what I have in my Emergency suitcase supplies.
 
Many years ago, we had a really really bad rash of forest fires here in Florida. They spread, unfortunately, to populated areas.

I was on the phone to my counterpart in another office. We were just shooting the breeze when she remarked casually, "Well, I'm going to have to cut this short.....the back of the building just caught on fire." Everybody was so used to it by then that people didn't get all that worked up.

We were taking a back route back to Orlando through the forest when a fire broke out on both sides of the road. Needless to say, we were hightailing it out when we met up with a long line of fire trucks coming our way, probably about 20 or so. I was moved to see that most of them were from out of state and not just neighboring states but from New England, the Midwest and even two Tribal trucks from Oklahoma and Nevada. When fire help is needed, crews can always count on help from other fire departments.
 

I understand your stress, remy. We‘re in town and were under evacuation alert last year; some areas were under Order. This reminds me that I should review what I have in my Emergency suitcase supplies.
I follow a live cat/kitten rescue live stream that I think is in BC. The woman who runs the organization was talking about the fires last year. I'm sorry you went through that.
 
I can certainty understand. Several fires have been raging here in NM. Some rain at the start of July helped, but hundreds of homes, as well as lost livestock, wildlife.Extreme dust and smoke in the air. The largest one was due to a “prescribed burn” that got out of control merging with a smoldering log fire undetected since last winter. Farmers and ranchers want the feds to stay the heck out of their woods from now on.
 
I can certainty understand. Several fires have been raging here in NM. Some rain at the start of July helped, but hundreds of homes, as well as lost livestock, wildlife.Extreme dust and smoke in the air. The largest one was due to a “prescribed burn” that got out of control merging with a smoldering log fire undetected since last winter. Farmers and ranchers want the feds to stay the heck out of their woods from now on.
Yes, I'm in NM too and last year the fire got awfully close to my home. It burned 47,000 acres and I could see the flames 25 feet in the air from my home. There is only one law enforcement officer here, so no way to hear about evacuations.
I loaded up my vehicle and unloaded three times. I was ready to run!
Smaller fires are popping up this year. Two people killed this year from the nearby fire. My heart goes out to those who don't have home insurance.
 
As the entire SW continues to experience major drought and heat conditions, the risk of major forest fires continues to rise. If I lived in that region I would figure out a way to mount a garden hose and impact sprinkler on the roof, set the sprinkler to maximum circular distance....and turn it on anytime there was a nearby fire. That would probably be the only way to keep the sparks from starting any dry foliage near the house, or the roof from catching fire. But then, that would only be effective if there was sufficient water pressure, and availability.
 
We're in northern NM, every summer we've been here (this is 11th) there have been wildfires of various sizes around the state. Fire crews from other counties and states often stay at motel DD manages when they are nearby. So far all we've had is lots of smoke, often from northern AZ fires as well NM ones. The really bad NM fires so far this year were east and south of us.

Live in town of less than a thousand people, but we both get various alerts on our cell phones from govt agencies about various environmental issues--air quality, high winds. So i think if a huge fire in our county we'd get an alert, especially if evacuation recommended.

Thankfully the only time i've seen smoke and flames that were a concern was about a month ago when a historic, long closed building toward center of village burned. The smoke was thick and black, an i saw occasional flames above the trees. Called 911, told them it was clearly near the curve in Hwy 550 just south of bridge over Rio Puerco, but that if they weren't already aware of it i would drive down to get more precise tho it would be hard to miss! She thanked me but said they were aware, some units there, more from neighboring communities on way.

Then i had to go down anyway, because housekeeper for motel stuck in the monster traffic jam because road was totally closed both directions for an hour, then only 1 lane (usually 5 counting center turn lane) each way for most of the day. i had to take the turn lane to get DD down so she could start cleaning rooms.

Since motel very close left car there and walked down to the bend in road to get an idea how contained it was. There were still some flames. Suspect some materials that make for more dangerous fumes part of why they stopped any one from going by on road. They also had firefighters walking nearby vacant lots, full of very dry grasses at the time to check for sparks.

Here's link to news story out of Albuquerque about it. The voice giving some info, Esther May, is life long resident who taught at the High School and has written books bout the history of the area.

 


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