I don't know if today marks the driest conditions I've ever seen in my lifetime of living in these parts, but I'm guessing it would come mighty close.
Sundance Fire historians (1967--more than 55,000 acres of fire raging in the Selkirks overnight) may differ, but that fire took off on Aug. 31, 1967.
This is JULY 31, 2021, and who knows when we'll ever get enough rain to slow down the constant wildfire potential.
Our iphones are saying that maybe tomorrow we'll get some rain.
That would be nice.
It is nice to know that today's predicted triple-digit inferno marks the last of extremely hot weather, at least for a while.
The phones are also saying that, except for two days next week, we'll be in the 80s and even down into the 70s.
Tuesday and Wednesday show 93s each day.
I told Bill this morning that we'll earn every ounce of relief promised as we navigate through this already surreal and warm day.
I broke a sweat first thing when I went outside at 4:45. We both agreed that it never really cooled down last night.
And, like so many in this area, the first inhalation of morning consciousness included the smell of smoke.
We had no cigarettes.
A warm and brisk breeze has been blowing steadily this morning, making me wonder what it's doing in the mountains where a series of fires are stubbornly staying alive.
Yesterday afternoon, to beat the heat, we drove up the West Side Road north of Bonners Ferry.
We had heard that a fire had broken out near the Ball Creek Ranch where we like to hike Nature Conservancy land.
As we passed the ranch headquarters, a caravan of pumpers was coming our way----the first one being from Inland Forest Management where Bill works.
Turns out the crews had mopped up the fire just above the road and were headed to check out another "smoke" that had been observed.
The Ball Creek fire, fortunately, was tiny and manageable.
Nobody has any idea how bad this is all gonna get, but the consequences of no appreciable rain in at least six weeks is taking its toll on pastures, the forests and the patience of humans wondering whatever happened to those wonderful and beautiful summers we used to enjoy at least through July.
Instead, for weeks most folks have spent their morning hours, scurrying through whatever chores and projects can be done and then settling inside for the afternoon where shades are drawn and fans cranked up.
Thank God for the Olympics. At least they've provided a distraction.
I'm thinking and hoping that if we can make it through this surreal, sure-to-be brutal day of 100-degree heat, just maybe that promised cloud of rain will come over and drop its load.
We can all get back to living, including the fields that supply much needed nourishment for our animals.
If that doesn't happen, OUCH!
Happy Saturday.
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