Fires In Western United States (Combined Topic)

[Lewis]

All that carbon dioxide from those fires being released into the atmosphere isn’t helping much either. Just read an article out of nature that said the fires from the arctic circle had 244 megatons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as of the end of August, thats up 35% more than last year, hitting the records books.

Edited September 12, 2020 by Lewis

[CHecker]

Not to be too hyperbolic, but on top of the political chaos, the economic collapse, and the worst pandemic in modern times, it seemed more than a little apocalyptic.

 

While fires in the west are not unusual or unexpected, these fires are different: they’re earlier, bigger, and hotter than usual. They are expanding explosively, overwhelming towns and firefighting resources. And there’s no getting away from them. As of Thursday evening, five of the ten largest wildfires in California’s history are burning. Seven of the 10 largest fires have occurred in the last four years. This isn’t normal.

[rocket]

13 hours ago, bagwell1987 said:

So glad its Friday,  I don't need to back to Oregon till Monday afternoon. 

I'll bet the people living on the coast were never so glad to see the offshore fog rolling in and the wind pushing the smoke back.

[CHecker]

4 hours ago, rocket said:

I'll bet the people living on the coast were never so glad to see the offshore fog rolling in and the wind pushing the smoke back.

Umm, more like pushing the smoke back that was sitting off shore! Horrible smokey here on the beach.

 

Just to let you know how smokey it is I was outside reading my latest novel on my tablet and had to keep wiping off the ash! Forced to go in the house, I wanna be outside!😡

Edited September 12, 2020 by bagwell1987

[CHecker]

 

 

[Sequoia]

As of two days ago, 500,000 people have been evacuated in Oregon and at least 14 have been killed on the West Coast.

 

https://www.npr.org/2020/09/10/911389505/at-least-7-people-killed-in-west-coast-wildfires-dangerous-winds-forecast-to-eas

Edited September 12, 2020 by JW2017

[Lee49]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fires-raging-west-kill-nearly-30-dozens-missing-n1239962

Sept. 12, 2020, 3:26 PM CDT / Updated Sept. 12, 2020, 6:49 PM CDT

 

Wildfires raging in the West have killed nearly 30 people with dozens of others missing and tens of thousands more in California, Oregon and Washington forced to flee their homes.

The death toll is likely to climb, with one Oregon official warning of a "mass fatality incident."

[rocket]

The death toll in Oregon from the fire has risen today from 3 to 10 as the recovery stage begins. Much higher number of fatalites expected to be revealed when the ashes are literally sifted through. Dozens still missing.

To my knowledge none of the friends have lost their lives. Homes yes, lives no.

[Old]

4 hours ago, JW2017 said:

As of two days ago, 500,000 people have been evacuated in Oregon and at least 14 have been killed on the West Coast.

 

https://www.npr.org/2020/09/10/911389505/at-least-7-people-killed-in-west-coast-wildfires-dangerous-winds-forecast-to-eas

Apparantly the 500,000 ws a miss quote, the number is now posted as 40,000 to 50,000. That is still astronomical for Oregon.

Edited September 13, 2020 by Old
Stupidity?

[Old]

Today after the fog lifted we were still surrounded by smoke.

From our house we couldn't see the RV park where Rocket usually visits. That is less than a half mile. 

During a brief moment we actully had shadows, short lived but enough sunshine to make shadows.

[CHecker]

Yes, I had views of the sun as brighter than a rosy glow this afternoon. Hope to see more clearing tomorrow.

[Lewis]

West coast of USA and Canada have the worst air quality on earth right now.

 

https://www.iqair.com/us/earth?nav

[Old]

1 minute ago, Lewis said:

West coast of USA and Canada have the worst air quality on earth right now.

 

https://www.iqair.com/us/earth?nav

Gasp, gasp, I think I agree with you!

This too will pass.

Choke , choke, gasp, wheese, cough, cough ... ...

 

[rocket]

11 hours ago, Old said:

Apparantly the 500,000 ws a miss quote, the number is now posted as 40,000 to 50,000. That is still astronomical for Oregon.

And if you count the people that lived in the "Level 2" zones it would be not over 200,000 as Woodburn, Silverton and Stayton were in those Zones. I think I heard that Woodburn and Stayton are now Level 1 as of yesterday.

 

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/oregon-said-500000-people-have-been-evacuated-because-of-wildfires-the-numbers-dont-add-up.html

 

************

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/13/us/us-west-fires-sunday/index.html

 

I wonder if the fires would have gotten so out of control if they would have had as many airplanes to fight fires and they do to kill people in war. Can you imagine 500 B-52's flying in triple high formation dropping their payload of water balloons from 10,000 feet. OK, so iv'e inhaled too much smoke and am delirious. 

Edited September 13, 2020 by rocket

[CHecker]

This morning when I opened my eyes I see fog. Fog is moisture so I think that's good. Not so good, the stagnant fog has wrapped around the smoke and it's even harder to breathe. Add to that its muggy, sweaty warm. The weather hasn't turned its stopped.

[Old]

3 hours ago, rocket said:

And if you count the people that lived in the "Level 2" zones it would be not over 200,000 as Woodburn, Silverton and Stayton were in those Zones. I think I heard that Woodburn and Stayton are now Level 1 as of yesterday.

 

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/oregon-said-500000-people-have-been-evacuated-because-of-wildfires-the-numbers-dont-add-up.html

 

************

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/13/us/us-west-fires-sunday/index.html

 

I wonder if the fires would have gotten so out of control if they would have had as many airplanes to fight fires and they do to kill people in war. Can you imagine 500 B-52's flying in triple high formation dropping their payload of water balloons from 10,000 feet. OK, so iv'e inhaled too much smoke and am delirious. 

Sorry, I can't. 

Interesting but the biggest drawback to using aircraft is they need visibiliy. The leading edge of these fires was alway shrouded in smoke. Fire bombers and their spotter aircraft must see the fire and fire lines to be effective.

Having been on the fireline we were made conscious of the danger of being in line of a retardent drop. If you heard the drop run approaching lay flat on the ground next to a tree if possible. A B-17 coming in low, and out of sight was a scarry moment. it was good they for our crew they were always lining up for the next ridge over. It was no fun doing cleanup after a retardent drop. The retardent now dry just added a pink cloud of fine dust to the grub hoe work, masks were not provided in those days. Itchy, itchy, choke, choke.

[CHecker]

I really value the experience of our older ones. (That was meant in a kind way)

[rocket]

I heard today that 5 families in the Stayton, OR Congregation lost their homes in the Santiam Canyon fires. The family staying in our RV from Mills City found out today that their home survived the fire but will have smoke damage. The Branch is already helping those who lost their homes get with their Insurance Co. to get the rebuilding going as soon as it is safe to return to the area. Because of looters only home owners can get in to check on their homes. At least 6 of the communities are still in level 3, mandatory evacuation.

[Tortuga]

5 minutes ago, rocket said:

The Branch is already helping those who lost their homes get with their Insurance Co. to get the rebuilding going as soon as it is safe to return to the area.

A brother in our area is a public insurance adjuster, so he is an advocate for the insured. The DRC used him a lot in the Paradise fire. So the DRC has access to brothers to help the friends navigate the insurance red tape.

[hatcheckgirl]

I’m so sorry for ones who have lost everything. Their community is also gone, so it’s more than just home and possessions. We thank Jehovah the friends will rally around our brothers and sisters so the shock is lessened somewhat. 
 

Even when this is not newsworthy anymore because of the next disaster, Jehovah will still look after these ones. Big hugs all! 🥰

[Qapla]

Isn't it ironic that the water needed to put out these fires is about to hit the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Sally   -   an area that has already had more rain than they need     

[Hugh O'D]

16 hours ago, Qapla said:

the water needed to put out these fires is about to hit the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Sally   -   an area that has already had more rain than they need     

A concise summary of Satan/Imperfect Human rule.

[Qapla]

I chat with Lynn ( @rocket ) quite a bit on our Zoom chats. He has been keeping us updated on the fires in his area. Right now, as I type this, he is having to deal with the smoke and other issues related to those fires while it is raining here - again! 

 

Our driveway is getting so muddy that FedEx almost got stuck when they delivered here today and I am having difficulty finding a way around some of the holes the rain has caused.

 

My girls are having to park up near my brothers house so they can get their heavy vehicles in and out for work.

 

Still, I'd rather have the rain than the fires

Edited September 14, 2020 by Qapla

[Old]

WE GOT SUNSHINE!

After the morning fog burned off. Typical afternoon sun with partial clouds.

[Hope]

Portland smoke progression from last Monday - Friday. We're still pretty much at that bottom pic... 😬 😉