California burning

For anyone who hasn't heard, wildfires are ravaging California. Although our little corner of Northern California has been spared for much longer than the rest of the state, we're starting to see some evidence of the burning elsewhere. Air quality alerts have been issued for many places, but so far, Crescent City is OK. Our county's southern town of Klamath is expected to have an air quality alert issued this week though. I can see the dirty smoke and haze from fires hanging around the coastal mountain range. But today I saw the strangest sight. A gigantic plume of smoke was rising to the east, very visible, even from my house. Apparently it happened when, from about 3-5 p.m., fires were stoked from the dry heat in the Siskiyou Wilderness area. You can see it in this photo our photographer took.



I'll be happy to escape this burning state come August, but I still worry about it. I don't really know how folks can live with these wildfires year after year. So many people south of me are evacuating their homes, then returning, then evacuating again. And the air is so poor that people are urged to stay indoors. It seems like fires are a big a factor every year.

The heat here is also mild compared to the 100+ temps elsewhere in the state. Crescent City is topping out in the mid-70s or so. Hot for here!

Well, I'm enjoying the lovely parts of Del Norte County for my final month. Last weekend, a co-worker and I went beachcombing, but it was so windy we couldn't last longer than a half-hour or so. We also did an inland hike, which was much better.

Rick started his job on Monday, and all is going well. I miss him though :(