Windy

Chance hides every time the wind blows and twigs start falling out of the trees.  Gale force winds 40 MPH.  Now we are in a Fire Weather Watch.

Perhaps I should do a naked rain dance…

FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR STRONG WEST WINDS... LOW HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AS WELL AS NORTHWESTERN AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

Luckily we live in the Oaks…I worry about people in the pines..as they go up like huge torches.  We also have a steel roof…did ya know that embers from a fire can travel a long way…like a mile?

There were sundogs at sunset last evening.  We usually only see Sundogs in the winter on really cold days…the weather is really REALLY weird this year.  

 

Wildfire

There was a wildfire about twenty miles south and east of us.  It started on Tuesday afternoon.  The wind was horrid, gusting to 45 MPH.  The fire travelled fast.

As we left home you could see a cloud of smoke.

We drove the back roads ...having heard that some roads were closed. 

We did not want to be in the way..but we  wanted an idea where the fire was and I wanted to take some photographs.  We only met one fire truck.

This was a crowning fire..the Pine trees heat up and then they go “whoosh” and are totally engulfed in flames.

I was in a crowning forest fire only once in the 1990’s..it is scary and you can hardly breathe the smoke is so thick.  I asked Far Guy if he knew the way to the lake, he didn’t so I pointed in the direction of the lake and said if we get separated and the fire turns ..it is that way and I will meet you in the lake.  I was never so happy to get out of a fire..I coughed for days.  We were in the forest when they dropped the airplane tankers of water..that is something to see.  Someone said they saw fish flopping around..what a strange site to see in the middle of a forest fire.

Anyways..I am way to old to fight anymore fires..it is really hard work.

We were about three to four miles away from this fire.  We never got into the smoke at all.

The winds were strong from the west and north west.   The area in the path of the fire was evacuated.   Highway 40 where we took these photos from turns a bit south up where those red buildings are on the right.  We didn’t go any further.

12 homes and 45 out buildings were lost in the wildfire.  It is being called the Green Valley Fire, it started in Becker County in Green Valley Township and moved into Hubbard and Wadena County. 

Firemen are still out there, the fire is 25% contained as of last night.  Us “gawkers” have stayed away..when it rains over the weekend we may go for a drive..by then it should be completely contained and the firemen and their equipment will be gone.  There is plenty of time for more photographs..it will be black for awhile.  I believe about 7,500 acres burned, no loss of human life has been reported however a number of dogs and cats perished ( Mostly because their owners were at work when the fire reached their homes.)

I hope it rains soon:)

Earth Day The Crying Indian

Remember back to the 1970’s and the Keep America Beautiful project?  The project was centered on “No Littering”  recycling and community beautification.

Old Iron Eyes Cody stood at the side of the road and a single tear rolled down his face. He was nicknamed “The Crying Indian.”

I am sure if he were still alive..he would be sobbing if he walked down this road.

His brothers are more into burning things up than cleaning them up.

Sometimes “evil spirits” must be burned up.

Sometimes they go off of the reservation and start fires.

We finally got enough moisture so that it is more difficult to start fires.  It is an every spring occurrence.  The BIA and the DNR have extra units in the area for the worst of it..but the Local Volunteer Fire Department still gets it’s share of calls ..day and night.

I do not begin to understand what motivates someone to start fires.  No one is ever caught..no one is ever charged with arson.  During times of “no fires”  you begin to wonder who is in jail..and when they will be getting out:(

Spring Fires

Last night "The Natives" were restless..either that or someone was released from jail. Fire bugs, those people that love to watch the pretty Fire Truck lights scurrying around putting out fires. It is brown here, and there is lots of dead tall grass in the ditches. They drive along in their cars and throw rolls of toilet paper out the windows..flaming rolls of toilet paper..as it unrolls it spreads the fire.

Last night was a busy night. Far Guy and Pyro (Nephew) burned off my wild flower area, then we got company and Pyro finished the burn and wet everything down, and brought Chance back to the house. A little while later a page came out for a Medical call, and shortly after that a report of a fire..on our corner! Now our fire could not have escaped ..could it? No, it was the flaming toilet paper perpetrators. ..and the fire was across the gravel road. Far Guy is only on duty during the day, last night he shut off his pager, he said it was a busy night for the Fire Department...hopefully it will rain soon..the grass will green up and the fire danger will have passed for awhile. The BIA has it's own fire crew, they stay really busy this time of year.
The Oaks, I may bitch and moan about how late they leaf out, and complain about the leaves. It only took one crowning Forest Fire in the property in the Pines south of us to make me a believer in Oaks.

May 01, 2004. I was working in my greenhouse..

Far Guy was in his..

Jo stopped by..and Far Guy said I think there is a fire just south of us. ( Actually, I think he said "Holy shit, that fire is coming straight for us." ) It was a really dry spring that year, and this particular day there was a wind from the south about 30 mph. The fire was intentionally set, needless to say it spread like wild fire. Fire Departments began to arrive...four different departments. Jen and Andy were coming to visit that evening..they were on the way and noticed all the smoke.. Jen called and said "YUM, Mom there is a whole lot of smoke in your direction..where is the fire?" I replied " Across the road in the pines." By the time I went out to check on things again..you can't see very much back here in the woods..the plane was here dumping the wet stuff on the red stuff.

I then went back to the house, to find I had my own personal fire truck stationed at my house, and two firefighters who I knew..that told me.. "You have to leave, it is not safe back here anymore, our orders are to evacuate everyone." Well, I of course asked who issued THAT order..it was the Chief..I asked what buildings will you protect? The reply was "just the house" ...not the Greenhouses? "Nope, just the house, but we should be able to save it, your steel roof will really help." Then the Firefighter who I have known all my life ( I remember when he was born, I probably even changed his diaper a time or two) said.. "you have to leave now"..and he gave me a hug. I told him to help himself, there was food and cold soda in the fridge..just in case he was hungry. Then I went into the house, and grabbed my camera and my hooded sweatshirt and hopped on the three wheeler and left. No ID, no money, no checkbook, no real vehicle..Far Guy had his truck and a shovel. We waited out by the end of the driveway..my sister in law was pretty smart..she packed up her possessions and put them in her car. She had all her important "stuff."

There were a few "spot" fires that came over the road that day, they were quickly extinguished, the wind switched to the southwest and forced the fire toward the lake, and as soon as it hit the Oaks..it was manageable..and the fire went out. The fires back in the pines, smoldered for days..it was determined to be a fire set by someone..they were never apprehended. Thank goodness for the Oaks. You couldn't pay me to live in the Pines..they are beautiful..but deadly in a forest fire. I will take my Oaks, leaves and all:)