Our lovely mountains are obscured by smoke from forest fires.
The smoke lays like fog amongst the trees and on the pastures.
I minimize what I do outdoors, and don't work the horses or encourage them to run and play.
However, that didn't stop Pistol at turn out time yesterday!
The mares have the changing of the guard down pat. I halter Coulee, lead her to Belles' gate and take her in. Belle and Pistol exit, and Mesa saunters in to be with her mama.
Pistol and Mesa visit a lot over the fence, I think she likes having him across the fence and not in with her because he can be a real pest!
Last night, the gibbous moon was red from all the smoke.
It was impossible to get a sharp photo because of all the smoke blurring the outlines.
This morning, a dawn wind cleared some of the smoke, I can at least see the mountains now, even if they are hazy. The light breeze continues, and I sure hope it isn't hampering the efforts of the firefighters, even though it is clearing the air for us.
The forest service has shut down the bush to all off road vehicles, and even highway vehicles such as jeeps are not allowed to drive off road.
Conscientious horsemen are staying out of the bush with their shod horses. People who need to cut firewood are staying out of the bush until the danger is past. This is a long weekend here, and there are plenty of campers who are going to be upset that they can't have campfires or ride the ATV's that they brought with them. There is an $1100 fine for fires, and if it is proven that a campfire started a forest fire, the offender has to pay all the costs of fighting the fire. I hope that is enough to deter those who feel entitled to do things their own way.
It seems strange to read of all the rain and flash floods that are going on in other places when we would be so thankful for some rain.
6 comments:
Just got back from the Shuswap. It was smokey, but bare able. Kamloops was about 1 km viibility. Glad we were just passing through.
That moon is freaky! Love, love, love the pic of the two babies at the gate!
The smoke made its way down here and has been stuck. It's pretty bad. Of course, this has become an annual event around here. When I grew up I don't remember this happening and it makes me wonder if we have bad forest management practices.
I hope you get rain soon. The air is smoky here too, my husband has a special respirator that he bought after last years fires and smoke:(
It has been so wet here in central NY that it smells moldy outside. Nasty year. Still preferable to wildfires and so much heat.
Love the pictures and video of the babes, so stinkin' cute!
I sure hope the area visitors listen, they can always have a campfire or ride their ATV's another time. Wildfire destruction & loss should be taken seriously. Hoping the smoke quietly clears. Pistols got some moves!
Post a Comment