So far we on the west side have been spared the dry lightning storms but it doesn't stop us from thinking about the possibility of a destructive fire and having a fire plan in place. I heard a copter fly over our house mid-day, no bucket on it, not sure if it was looking for fires or what, haven't heard anything since...which is good. We're only halfway through fire season which usually ends in October. Many times we'll get a day or two of rain in the end of September, not enough to end fire season but a welcome relief.
So to make fire season even worse we're in our second year of drought and have been dealing with record high temperatures. Here in Grants Pass July was a record setter for heat, hottest July ever (since records were kept). We had 15 days of 100 degrees or more and the rest of the month wasn't much below 100. It's been brutal. No wonder I've only gotten 2 dye days in this summer, the only 2 days when the temperature was close to 90.
On the fiber front - not much happening here other than a bit of knitting. It's just been too danged hot to expend energy winding a warp. I'm starting to give thought to holiday gifts. I have been getting the house ready for interior painting which starts tomorrow.
I know just how you feel about fire season!
ReplyDeleteThere is a mandatory evacuation order in place for our home at Copco Lake.
We were there on Friday, and watched the fire coming over the ridge towards the lake. Crews had worked through the night bulldozing a firebreak, and firetrucks were constantly patrolling the road. They were optimistic about being able to protect our homes--at least ours and our closest neighbors---as all of these homes have a good bit of open defensible space around them.
The fire did continue to advance, and so on Saturday they lit a backfire from the old road bed (about 100' above the present road), up the hill toward the ridge. This worked well, and prevented the main fire from advancing in our direction. They took trucks through our property to get water from the lake, and continued patrolling to put out any hot spots, so the house is safe--for now.
The fire continues to advance upriver, and now covers an area of over 50 square miles and is only 10% contained. We hope that it will not jump the river and come back along the other side. Most of the homes on that side of the lake are in among the trees and will be much more difficult to defend. There are about a hundred homes around the lake. Ours is "just" a vacation home, but there are a lot of full-time residents, many of them quite elderly.
Oh dear, I didn't know you had a place over there Elizabeth. I know Theresa's husband who is with Green Springs Fire Dept was working on protecting those homes early on. I'll keep thinking positive thoughts for your place and all the others........
DeleteThankfully, it looks like the Copco Lake homes are now safe. The firefighters did a fantastic job, and we are very grateful to them!
DeleteI will stop complaining about our weeks of 84+ degree heat. Nothing compared to yours.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that some rain will head your way bringing cooler temperatures. Summer is my least favorite season, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, now that is a sobering picture indeed. Stay safe out there Cindie! Lots of prayers and good thoughts for your and yours.
ReplyDeleteWe're doing fine as long as no fire starts nearby but those to the east could certainly use prayers and good thoughts.........
DeleteCome on rain!!! Hope for the best for you and your friends and family. Be safe!
ReplyDeleteAmazingly, even half way up Vancouver Island I can see the smoke in the air from the Washington/Oregon state fires, they are that big! Hopefully the temps will fall and the constant worry for you will end soon.
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