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The smoke and fire situation in SW Oregon is dire. A state of emergency has been declared and the Grants Pass Daily Courier is calling the situation a "full-blown catastrophe." Nearby Grants Pass' air quality has been deemed "hazardous" and I'm pretty sure the thick smoke that's stuck in our part of the valley is the same. Respirators/masks are recommended for anyone who has to be outside.
How do I look? Wearing the mask is a lot easier than holding my breath. |
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| This is the view across our country road today. The hillside behind the smoke is less than a half mile away, so our air quality here is officially hazardous, according to DEQ standards. |
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This is the same general area (same trees) photographed two days ago.
Then, the smoke made pretty colors. No more! I didn't have trouble
breathing air that looked like this. Today. Trouble. |
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The garden looks sad. It isn't getting any love except for admiring
glances from behind windows. |
The weather forecast includes dry lightning and thunderstorms, which would make a terrible situation worse. We can expect more smoke from the out-of-control blazes for several days, possibly weeks. One positive: such conditions are a wake-up call for all who take for granted our fresh air, abundant clean water, healthy forests, and beautiful rivers and lakes. I can't wait to take my next gulp of the clean, clear, crisp air to which I've grown accustomed. And that I once took for granted.
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| Pretty, but I hope never to see sun and sky like this ever again from our garden. |
Oh, Mary, how awful.
ReplyDeleteThings are looking a bit more clear out there right now. Hoping for favorable winds and successful firefighting!
ReplyDeleteegads! hope the air inside is much better. i assume no one's taking the morrow heights residents outside. suppose this means no biking or hiking 'til there's an all clear. i use anonymous 'cause i don't know what all the other stuff is asking for.
ReplyDeleteyes, inside air is fine. except it gets a bit stale not being able to open windows. you're correct about no hiking or biking. i saw a guy on a bike today wearing a white respirator mask, and the center was black! the fires are still growing with some being around 15 percent "contained," and others not at all. this could go on for many weeks. i hope it is all cleared up by mid-september when you're going to be here.
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