Holy SMOKE

[NwMtGardener]

Wow, woke up this morning and could smell smoke before i even opened my eyes. The whole valley is just thick with it, they say its blowing in from California's fires :/ we have a few "smaller" wildfires around the area, how are all you other westerners (westerosies? Westians? Haha) making out this year?

 

[thistlebloom]

Blowing in from CA Heather? That's weird.... other than an orangish tint to the sunshine I haven't noticed anything too unusual.

I know the fires are going down in southern OR where my brother lives, and there are some big ones in southern ID.

It's been a hot dry summer for the most part. I hope they get them contained without loss of life.

Westerosies works

 

[digitS']

Okay Heather, you made me look . . .

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ridge2/fire

Looks like southern Idaho is the most vulnerable right now because of weather - gusts above 20mph so not terrible, terrible. Red Flag, tho' :/.

WS says something about "monsoonal" weather tracking north. I'd like to know where that moisture is falling! I checked their weather station at Bliss down there. It is a 10% to 30% chance of rain. Their rainfall totals haven't been more than a "trace" for nearly a week. 90+ temps!

We had just tremendous lightening a couple of nights ago! Smattering of rain - sometimes it takes days (weeks) for a lightening sparked fire to show up.

Steve

 

[897tgigvib]

Heather, my baby sister Shannon...she's a gramma...moved to Reno last year and she is simply covered in smoke there.

Where I live is mostly west of those sierra fires and am not affected.

 

[897tgigvib]

Shannon my sister says the sky got blue today in Reno. At least she said it was a few hours ago.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Wow, good to hear Marshall, i bet they're really sick of the smoke!! We had a wicked rain/hail/wind/thunder and lightning storm come thru yesterday. It was kind of violent, but sure did blow away the smoke. My garden is pretty protected, doesnt seem to be any damage even from the hail. Today is gorgeous, breezy, blue sky, and NO SMOKE! :coolsun

 

[digitS']

From my garden and looking to the Northeast, just before sunrise yesterday, Heather:

I'll say that it is in your direction . Due east was a very heavy cloud and what was left of the rainstorm. It took awhile for the sun to put in an appearance. I was out there just a few minutes after 5 and waiting on ol' Sol.

We have had lovely clouds up until today. Now, robin-egg blue and the heat is rising. May be 95f tomorrow afternoon when I'm out in that same garden!

Steve

 

[NwMtGardener]

Wow, what a nice shot Steve! Don't work too hard on this awesome Labor Day weekend!!

 

[digitS']

I used to like summer Sundays: my pest-control plan is the only thing that is afoot . Unfortunately, the dahlias now need their hot weather bath on Sunday mornings. That spray-down is an important part of their care. Takes me about 90 minutes and I emerge as wet as they are ~ grumble, grump ~. Any insecticides go on just as close to sundown as I can do it. There's the day . . .

The dahlias are getting another little shower this morning! Just sprinkles that began well before sunrise and should continue for half the day. I've got to get the dry beans in then before they get too wet over the next few days.

I am afraid you are going to miss this sprinkle, Heather. Still, you should get some more fresh air before thunderstorms move in later this week. I hope none of us have too much lightening!

Steve

 

[NwMtGardener]

Woke up this AM and HOLY SMOKES! Valley was filled again. Went up in the mountains to pick berries, and it sprinkled! I dont think we got anything here at our house, i think it was an effect of being on the "backside" of the first mountain the clouds hit after coming across the valley. Didnt slow us down with the berry picking at all, very successful!! A gallon of huckleberries, and another mixed gallon of elderberries, gooseberries and thimbleberries. Hucks are on sheet pans in the freezer right now, and the mixed berries are on the stovetop turning into juice. I will let them drain overnight, then make jelly tomorrow. Woohoo!