Smoke sits over the city, a haze that settles on everything. Not sure I will ever get used to the smell or the feel it leaves in my throat. A jogger this morning mentioned it was hard on their throat to run in this smoke. I read this mornings fire report and they do not expect to have containment of the Cameron Peak fire until October 31st. That’s a long time for us to deal with the smoke. I must admit the smoke has presented some nicely colored sunrises and sunsets. However, we are done with it already. I think the squawking magpies are done with it, also.
Seeing a lot of fire trucks from out of town as there are over 800 firefighters battling the fire. This past week I saw a school bus full of tired firefighters taking them to a hotel for a refreshing shower and comfortable bed before heading back to the front lines. Most of their tactics are to create barriers to limit the expansion of the fire and working to protect any structures. Sadly, part of the burn area has been a great location for aspen fall colors for many years.
Almost no wind this morning so the water on Dixon Reservoir was glassy smooth. The sun was bright orange through the smoky haze. Very quiet and still when I first arrived. After about 20 minutes a gentle breeze began to sway tree branches, leaves began to rustle while the grasses and sagebrush begin to dance along. The day begins to awaken. It’s going to be 90 degrees today and for the next two days then drop 65 degrees by Tuesday and possibly give us our first snowfall of this season, for sure our first frost. That will help with the fire. Hope you have a great weekend!
4 Comments
Cedric
We had a nearby fire this past week. It was contained relatively quickly but it lasted long enough to fill the air with smoke for several hours. Along with bringing back memories of last summer, it made me think of you. I hope the fires end soon and the air clears quickly.
Monte Stevens
I just finished reading you post. I want to digest it more before responding. Loved it!
The smoke has drifted south over the mountains, blocking the sun, so everything now has this eerie golden hue to it. Glad they got that fire out quickly!! I hope the fires end soon, also. Maybe the cold weather and some snow would be the answer.
Tom Dills
We’ve been seeing a lot of smoke between Billings and Missoula, in fact saw fire on a mountainside near Bozeman. But we haven’t really smelled it – it has been more like a haze. The sunset was pretty this evening but we viewed it through a restaurant window. Hopefully seeing some clearing over the next day or two, even though it is going to get a little chilly! 🙂
Monte Stevens
We can see blue sky this morning but that only means the wind changed directions. The fire grew more than 10,000 acres in the past 24 hours. The aspen colors you captured last year are now gone. Today is going to be another hot day and adding to the fires growth. Our new hope is the cold front and snow expected on Monday evening into Tuesday. They are talking 3-6 inches and it will be a wet snow. It’s what we need! Stay safe and enjoy the trip!