Fire Weather
Saturday, November 15, 2008. The day started with skies of brilliant deep blue, scrubbed clean by the hot dry winds from the desert. It was not to last.
This is the plume of smoke from the fires in Brea, a few miles to the north of us. Fortunately, the wind is blowing the smoke in the other direction.
The same plume, seen from the soccer field where Anna’s game was scheduled for 1 p.m.
They played two quarters before smoke from the fires to the east — Corona, Yorba Linda, Chino hills, 8 to 10 miles or so from us — overtook the field and the game was called. A shame, really, since it was the last game of the season. Placentia is sort of sandwiched between all these places that are on fire — we’re not at risk from the fires ourselves, but we are getting a good dose of smoke and ash … and tension too!
This is a view to the east, on the way home from the game. It’s only 1:30 p.m., but it feels like evening, because of the gloom.
And then there’s the grim sunlight. My crappy camera wasn’t capable of capturing the dull, hot red as it sank into the west, but it reminded me of Sauron’s eye, watching out over Mordor.
Where there was no smoke, the sky was still amazing blue. A view from my house, again … in the top of the picture is the smoke from the eastern fires, in the bottom is the smoke from the northern fire.
I’m unfortunately not keeping up with news and such, but are these fires normal at this time of year? Why’s the world on fire? *throws water toward it and frowns*
-Kalle.
Comment by Kalle Alm — November 16, 2008 @ 3:47 pm*posts comment to check the notify button* Sorry — forgot. Feel free to remove this post.
Comment by Kalle Alm — November 16, 2008 @ 3:48 pmThanks again, Staci. You’ve been my eyes for everything going on down there. We’re still keeping you, your family and many, many others in our thoughts and prayers.
Comment by Kelly — November 16, 2008 @ 3:56 pmIt’s pretty normal, Kalle. Late in the fall, we’ve been a good six months without significant rainfall, so everything is crispy and ready to burn. All it takes is hot wind and low humidity and something, somewhere is southern California is going to burn. It’s always just a matter of where. This year, it’s a little closer to home than usual. Last year, it was closer to work.
Comment by Stace — November 16, 2008 @ 5:46 pmWow… now that you mention it, I knew there were “wildfire seasons” and such in parts of the states, and I think I’ve seen it in the news occasionally.
Hope they get them fires put out quickly.
-Kalle.
Comment by Kalle Alm — November 17, 2008 @ 2:10 am