CA fires - here we go again

[Lovetoclimb]

Originally Posted by phoenix

We didn’t rake our forests enough in the off season.

Roaring applause

[oldpotatoe]

We didn’t rake our forests enough in the off season.

Like Finland does....

Originally Posted by Lovetoclimb

Roaring applause

[nighthawk]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Pretty sure that 'most' of CA fires are on Federal land...


BUT CA, with it's 'politics', isn't on the right list for the guy in the big chair nor his SecInterior.

National Forest is USDA, so Sec of Ag not DOI jurisdiction. Not that it matters. Most of the “acting” heads of agencies under the current administration are appointed based on family/financial ties and not aptitude for the position. The most disgusting corruption I have seen since working in federal service (DOI and DOD).

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by nighthawk

National Forest is USDA, so Sec of Ag not DOI jurisdiction. Not that it matters. Most of the “acting” heads of agencies under the current administration are appointed based on family/financial ties and not aptitude for the position. The most disgusting corruption I have seen since working in federal service (DOI and DOD).

10-4..samo for SecAg...and well said...153 days....

[nighthawk]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

10-4..samo for SecAg...and well said...153 days....

Counting with you, my friend.

For what it’s worth, CalFire and the wildland firefighters of USFS, NPS, and USFWS are underfunded, but not undereducated. There are known forest management practices that balance forest health and mitigation of fire risk, but that runs counter to efforts to maximize profits from timber leases for private corporations. It’s a failure of federal leadership, plain and simple. Prioritizing profits for the few at the expense of greater public health and safety. And a childish executive branch that can’t muster the courage to work with states that aren’t in line with the fed admin’s agenda.

[scoobydrew]

Flames were getting incredibly close to Lick Observatory (atop Mt. Hamilton) last night. Thankfully, fire crew from San Luis Obispo were called in to help out.

Here's a live stream/capture
http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/hamcam/hamcam2.html

[MikeD]

Do these surgical or cloth masks that one wears for covid provide enough protection from smoke? I have some N95 masks with the valve in them, but find them too uncomfortable to ride in, although I don't ride with the other masks either so they might be too uncomfortable as well.


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[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Do these surgical or cloth masks that one wears for covid provide enough protection from smoke? I have some N95 masks with the valve in them, but find them too uncomfortable to ride in, although I don't ride with the other masks either so they might be too uncomfortable as well.


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It's smoky here in colorado too, so I tried pulling my mask (2 ply cloth with paper filter) up the other day and it still smelled like smoke. Not sure if the reduction was meaningful for smoke, but it may keep you from getting ash particles in your airway.

[smead]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Do these surgical or cloth masks that one wears for covid provide enough protection from smoke? I have some N95 masks with the valve in them, but find them too uncomfortable to ride in, although I don't ride with the other masks either so they might be too uncomfortable as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

No they do not. If you are outside, wear an N95. Don't ride in this s**t either way, it is not good for you.

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Pretty sure that 'most' of CA fires are on Federal land...

In this case, the fires in the bay area are not federal land. The fires near Santa Cruz are in a variety of state and county parks (most notably, Big Basin State Park). The Santa Clara Unit fire complex is a mix of regional parks, open space preserves, and private ranch land. The Napa fires are also a mix of state, regional, and private land.

The federal forests are mostly in the northern part of the state and along the Sierra Nevada range. Because these fires were triggered by a lightning storm coming in off the coast, the federal land has largely been spared (for now).

[akelman]

AQI is over 200 here right now. At least six people that I know of at work have lost their houses. Many, many more have been evacuated and have no idea if their homes are still standing. And as of now, there's no end in sight. 2020 is a total jerk.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by akelman

2020 is a total jerk.

.
.

Heart goes out to your co-workers and friends, and anyone down there dealing with this mess.

[pdmtong]

The lightening storm produced almost 11,000 strikes, and from that we have almost 400 fire burning in NorCal.

What's different from the disasters of precious years is so many simultaneous and geographically dispersed. Evacuations are now on top of COVID-19.

I saw a 747 aerial tanker fly over my house this morning. I cannot imagine becoming homeless during a pandemic. Heartbreaking tragedy.

[gasman]

I have numerous friends and relatives down there. I've been in contact with several and haven't been able to reach a couple. Most of them are okay but I worry about the ones I haven't reached yet and my heart goes out to everyone affected by the fires. It's terrible.

[joosttx]

We were staying in between Santa Cruz and Monterey. We came back today due to smoke. This was the sunset yesterday (no filters)



and this was ashes on my truck yesterday morning. It was worse today