Community Chat

[Tinkrbl44]

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@On It wrote:

@Kachina624 This is beyond belief. We are trying to follow the fires on the news apps, but it is overwhelming. The humidity levels, unrelenting winds, and high temperatures are making a difficult job almost impossible. The firefighters have to be exhausted. The containment percentages are still so low on the fires.

We finally got some rain here in West Texas last night, but we need much more. I hope there is a big monsoon season this year. Of course, New Mexico needs it yesterday without having to wait for the rainy season.

I know it is drastic, but the forests need to be closed to the public. They can miss one year of camping if it means there will be a forest there for the next hundred years instead of charred stumps. 

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Just slightly OT ....   but speaking of firefighters .....  these are the hardest working people when these fires hit.  If your local fire departments ever have fundraisers, please do what you can to donate even a small amount.

After one of our local FDs had a fundraiser, they got some special "non-mandatory" equipment.   Among other things, they got some tiny little masks for pets and animals pulled from burning homes and need oxygen before it's too late.  The little animal masks are usually used on dogs and cats, but other animals, too.   

The fire fighters really do so much to help their communities.

(Okay, I'm off my soap box)

[Desertdi]

Humidity in PHX is 4% at almost 8pm.   This is LOW for this hour.  It's after sundown here.    Fires mostly in northern part of the state, so far.....

[Kachina624]

@Tinkrbl44    The big forest fires are fought largely by "hot shot" crews that contract with the forest service to fight these fire.  They come from all over the US but wildland fire fighting is a specialty with many Indian tribes.  Of course they also contract for big planes to drop slurry and big helicopters to drop water. Local firefighters do help.

Ironically, the big fire was caused by a "controlled burn" by the forest service that they did despite it being a windy day.  It got out of control.  People are furious about that.  That happens way too often.

[Spurt]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@SilleeMee    I wonder how many idiots will be setting off firecrackers on the Fourth of July?  They may find a lynch mob after them if they do.  People are dead serious about avoiding a fire.

We don't live in a forest but there are tons of low desert vegetation like dried tumbleweeds, sage, chimesa, tall grasses, etc.  The ground is 100% covered with it.

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@Kachina624 

We have had dry spells before and yep fireworks were an issue...they even established a special hot line to report violaters because fireworks are illegal in the city limits....but there were still a bunch of idiots setting them off despite the very dry conditions, some people have no sense.............SMH! And unless something changes in the weather pattern it looks like fireworks will again be a problem...And even in the countryside a wild fire could easily be started.....everything is nice and green right now, but by July everything will be dried out and brown...except for the Crepe Myrtle trees...and  Live Oaks...and buffalo grass......

[RollTide2008]

Everything you say about where you live makes it sound awful.

[SilleeMee]

Today is my cleaning day and I usually do my weekly dusting....BUT WHAT'S THE SENSE OF IT??! Wind is just too much.Gusting 50mph already and it's not even 8am. I'm so irritated right now, it's not funny.

[dancingwoman]

@SilleeMee  It's not even real dust..it's red gritty dust.   I've had all the windows closed except  one.  Today the temp is only supposed to be 64° so the house should be cooler.  

Its starting to get windy already..we are under a fire ban in the county but there are always those stupid ones that don't care.  Or throw a cigarette out the window.  

My eyelids are all dry and I have allergies to most moisturizers...so I just put a little organic coconut oil on them b4 bed.  

Colorado was never this bad.  I think we have half of the AZ desert blown in.

@Kachina624  Are you smelling smoke?  That's the worst for me.  I hate smelling smoke all summer long....

Going out to do a rain dance...!!  DW

[SilleeMee]

@dancingwoman 

No smoke here today. But a few days ago the sky was really hazy and it wasn't smoke. It was find sand blown here from the Great Sand Dunes Park! I couldn't believe it. Everything felt gritty and yucky. My skin and eyes are horribly dry. I'm going to shut my windows and turn on my humidifier. I need it badly.

[SilleeMee]

@dancingwoman 

The sky is weird here. To the east I see smoke but to the west it's completely clear with blue skies. So where I am seems to be on the edge of the smoke plume. The weather report mentioned that earlier today. Hope it stays over there!

[Still Raining]

I am following the ones up by Santa Fe and it is hard.

Stay safe @Kachina624