Fall 2015: California: First the Drought, Now the Wildfires
The blog has been silent for a while as we have regrouped and taken care of the various tasks called home ownership. Additionally, Marilyn has enjoyed visiting with her new grandson and 22-month-old granddaughter, so it has been time well spent.
We embarked on a major landscape project: removing our front and side lawn, replacing it with drought tolerant plants, and converting the sprinklers to a drip system.
Side yard conversion from lawn to drought tolerant plants.
We also have been watching as the Rough Fire grew to over 140,000 acres in the area around Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks near our home.
The Buck Rock Lookout featured in the last blog was finally wrapped in aluminum foil to protect the building should the fire get near.
Fortunately the fire was stopped shy of the lookout, but it turned a lot of the area into charcoal.
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The camp at Hume Lake was also spared yet only with Herculean effort by the fire crews.
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The fire was able to get within 200 yards of the General Grant Tree, known as the Nation’s Christmas Tree. This Giant Sequoia is estimated to be over 3,000 years old and is the second largest tree in the world.
Fire is necessary, yet this year, the fourth of a major drought, coupled with the massive amount of tinder on the ground, allowed a lightning strike on the steep Kings River Canyon to quickly grow out of control.
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It was only stopped after many professional firefighters and support crews gave their all. Fortunately, none were killed, though 12 suffered injuries. Hopefully all will now be able to enjoy some relief as we await the winter's snow to properly put the Rough Fire to bed.
We embarked on a major landscape project: removing our front and side lawn, replacing it with drought tolerant plants, and converting the sprinklers to a drip system.
Front yard conversion from lawn to drought tolerant plants.
Doug getting another trailer-full of mulch at the county yard.
We also have been watching as the Rough Fire grew to over 140,000 acres in the area around Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks near our home.
Billowing & rising clouds of smoke from the Rough Fire.
The Buck Rock Lookout featured in the last blog was finally wrapped in aluminum foil to protect the building should the fire get near.
Firemen & -women wrapping Buck Rock Lookout to protect it from Rough Fire.
Fortunately the fire was stopped shy of the lookout, but it turned a lot of the area into charcoal.
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Rough Fire raging near Buck Rock Fire Lookout.
Rough Fire in Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks.
The camp at Hume Lake was also spared yet only with Herculean effort by the fire crews.
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Rough Fire looms behind Hume Lake.
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Helicopteres battling Rough Fire.
General Sherman Tree, largest tree in world, being wrapped with foil as was General Grant Tree.
Fire is necessary, yet this year, the fourth of a major drought, coupled with the massive amount of tinder on the ground, allowed a lightning strike on the steep Kings River Canyon to quickly grow out of control.
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Firefighters battling the Rough Fire peaked at 3,700.
It was only stopped after many professional firefighters and support crews gave their all. Fortunately, none were killed, though 12 suffered injuries. Hopefully all will now be able to enjoy some relief as we await the winter's snow to properly put the Rough Fire to bed.
Buck Rock Fire Lookout shuttered for the winter. (Photo Buck Rock Foundation).
And you were grinding on Smith and I for being busy in retirement?
ReplyDeleteOh, well, you know...
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