Beatles legend Ringo Starr is not asking for much as he turns 81. All he wants is for fans to say, “peace and love” at noon Wednesday, his actual birthday. Or post it as a hashtag. Or think it. Anything to spread good vibes at midday your own time. Send Peace and Love around the world.
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Fire danger is calmer but seasonal expectation overall is still high.
In the “Learn something new every day” category …
Last wednesday after the blog was posted the information in re the fire situation was …Too Smoked In Right Now To Use Air Tankers On Lava Fire … followed at sundown by … Pulling folks off the line due to pyrocumolonimbus and potential column collapse. Had no idea what that was, so looked it up.
Now I know …
Looks like it could be lethal. No wonder they called the fighters off the lines. But fortune was with our defenders this time. The cloud column did not collapse.
Also on wednesday afternoon a new fire broke out down the canyon at Lakehead.
Thursday the dawn was “fiery” as the sun tried to find a way through the smoke. We had been clear of smoke from the Lava and Tennant fires since the wind had been mostly from the south. But now with the Salt fire just 10 miles north of Redding, we’re in its smoke path.
Friday morning the closest fire, the LAVA, was reported as “23,849 aces timber and bush, 27% contained”. That was more than 4,000 acres overnight, but no apparent further cause of anxiety for us. The SaltFire down the canyon is being managed on the east side of the Sacramento and apparently is no danger to us up canyon.
More to learn about wildland fire fighting … super scoopers … reasons those pilots are super heroes and why this drought is sooooo dangerous (look at the water levels in those lakes).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/566375133723234/posts/1451652151862190/
… and just for laughs (a clip from the movie “Always” …
Saturday morning report … 24,460 acres, 26% contained
Sunday morning report … 24,752 acres 39% contained
Monday morning report … 24, 757 acres 52% contained
Anticipated full containment 12 July
I now consider this fire fully under control. Haven’t heard air support since sunday afternoon and those I know who were evacuated are back home.
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Tired with hearing/learning about fire behavior? Okay … on another topic …
My goodbyes are progressing. Another hug-filled farewell yesterday … Breakfast at the HiLo. I will miss those ladies with whom I shared volunteer time, and I will miss the HiLo.
Lunch scheduled with a school friend of Michael’s who became a hairdresser and is going to spiff me up before my move.
Telephone call sunday with a friend who used to live just down the road a piece was good for an update and it was nice to hear her voice again.
The mug mementoes for my Librarians arrived and will be delivered when I make my final book return in a week or so. One (for the wonderful friend and defender of the library) reads “I am the Librarian. To save time, assume I know everything.” The other (for the younger idealist who is also a friend) reads “Librarians are subversive. You think they’re just sitting there at a desk, all quiet and everything. They’re like plotting the revolution, man. I wouldn’t mess with them. – Michael Moore” I am anticipating the LA library, but will miss this source of pleasure.
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Weather abated a bit. Sunday night it was below 60.
Then the heat came back. At least it wasn’t humid.
This morning the low was 57. However, increasing heat is predicted to be here until the coming weekend.
Oh well …
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Flora report …
Iris bloom was spotty this year. Maybe the heat? A couple of the species didn’t bloom at all even though the leaves look okay.
Both the apple and the plum trees are loaded.
The catalpa dropped all its blossoms in less than four days. Maybe took the heat for a bit then decided enough-of-this and decamped.
The meadow is full of yarrow and the St John’s wort is quite nice.
The comfrey joined the catalpa and is awaiting better weather.
Only a feeble effort from the sage.
Dandelions this year were almost nonexistent and went from bloom to air-dancers rapidly.
And because of drought and the watermaster’s diversion of water flow, the trees (mostly pine and fir so far) are dying. It’s sad to see and doesn’t bode well as the danger of fire increases.
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To end with a note from Ringo who just turned 81 …
Oh my my, oh my my … you can boogie … you can fly …
So ‘til next week …