The news had wildfire cautions out for our area this morning. The sustained winds are around 30mph today, gusts to 50.
My guess the pine barrens. Yes The entire area has red flag warnings up. Super low humidity and strong winds.
Fire is about 30 miles south of me. I know weldrdave is south of me but I don't think he's in harms way. We had a good one light up about 5miles from the house 2 weeks ago. Our forest fire crews and local departments do some amazing work. God bless those crews
A fire lit up about 2 miles from my house this morning. My road turns to dirt right after my property and then goes right into wharton state forest. Sounds like the crews may have it under control but the winds started picking up this afternoon and of course in our direction. Got the hose ready to soak things down if needed but i think we'll be fine. Rain supposed to be coming our way this evening. They are also still working on the large fire further south of us.
I was just out back at the wood pile and I was watching the planes attack the fire from the air. Takes some serious skill to do what those guys do
Yea. Impressive daredevil pilots. They are gearing up here now for the fire season. Every year Alaska has an average of 1 million acres burned by wildfires. Lightning strikes cause lots of fires, most are out remote, no roads. Mother Nature been doing that for thousands of years. More smoke released into the air in a few months than all the wood stoves in the state release thru several winters.
Couple pics from today's fire down the road. Thankfully they got it under control before dark. I could see the smoke spinning like a tornado when i took this pic
Some don't watch the news or read the paper. They have no idea of what's going on around them or in their area, (& they get to vote too. LOL )
Some do read the paper and they still burn, they get to vote too. We have some areas in the woods that are dry even though it's been wet, things need to green up first before any burning goes on. This happened in my old hometown today. http://northcountrynow.com/news/grass-fire-massena-was-caused-downed-power-line-0113546
Having seen the Black River in Watertown a few days ago, and having experienced last Spring, Sumer, Fall and Winter, and this Spring, it is hard to believe anything is dry...... It has been really windy all year, though, as well as wet, and things dry fast with the wind. My woods are very wet still. The hepatica,( blue, purple, pink, white, and multicolored), and dog tooth violets are in bloom, and the trilliums are coming up, as well as Dutchman's Breeches and Squirrel corn. Lots and lots of wild leek...they obviously really like the cold winters. I have so many under my clothesline that I might as well dig some...no place to stand now. Merry bells, spring beauty, yellow and purple violets and all the rest of the ephemeral spring flowers will soon be in bloom as well. Crocus, snowdrops and scilla in bloom...way late. Daffodils are showing, but not yet blooming, as are giant galanthus, iris, peony, lobelia, knautia etc...... The woods are a carpet of wild flowers and grass. Lots of people have told me they've never seen a wood carpeted in grass before..native grass, I believe a sedge. No color at all on the trees yet, including the apple trees. Anyway...they thought of a fire in my woods is a nightmare. I pray that evil looking one near you is well extinguished by all the rain we are getting tonight. (The ice finally went out of the lake yesterday, aided by a strong wind out of the north. The loons are back today...amazing! I've read they fly each day to check and see if the ice is out. Barred owls have been calling a lot this week...just waiting for the bizarre mating calls, which I hope I don't miss. )
As of last night the fire was 100% contained and we got some much needed rain all over the state. Here's a link to our forest fire sevice site. They have some pretty good videos. Thanks for the concerns everyone. http://www.sectionb10.org/crew_infonews/fire_videos_of_the_week
