Perhaps you've seen something about the wildfire near Jacksonville, Florida, and thought, Hmmmmm, isn't that where Janie Junebug lives? I wonder if it's close to her.
On Friday I told Favorite Young Man that I would pick him up that evening and he said I'd better check online to make sure 95 was open. Part of it had been closed because of a wildfire.
Wildfire? What wildfire? My lack of awareness should assure you that I'm not threatened by the fire.
It turned out that a little stretch of 95 was closed from Thursday afternoon until Friday morning. When I drove through that area a bit of ash fell on my car. It looked like snow flurries. I couldn't smell smoke.
The fire did cover 600 acres but according to a headline yesterday, firefighters have 50 percent contained.
I read an article about the reasons we have more wildfires in these here United States. Because of improved engineering, people can locate buildings/houses in "wild" areas not used in the past. These buildings and their landscaping provide brand-spanking-new fuel for fires along with new opportunities to start fires because of people in the area who do things such as light charcoal grills or burn leaves or start bonfires or whatever it is that folks do. It's also been pretty dry here (no precipitation for 12 days), and the humidity is low.
No one knows how this fire started, but I heard speculation about a spark from a train because the fire started near some tracks. We've also been warned not to toss lit cigarettes around. If I ever start smoking (not gonna happen), I'll make sure I put out my cigs in an appropriate container.
The temperature was 101 yesterday when we shopped for groceries. It won't cool off for months, but sooner or later, our summer thunderstorms will start and it will rain almost every afternoon.
Or not.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
I've lived in "ON FIRE," "NIGHTMARE TORNADO ZONE," "SNOW-COVERED MOONSCAPE," and "AIR MADE OF HOT SOUP" with a side of "HURRICANE TERROR AREA." How about you?
Sadly fires are a fact of our summer. Some carelessly lit, some natural (lightening strikes) and too many deliberately lit. Each and every year homes are destroyed (human and animal) and lives are lost (human and animal).
ReplyDeleteI hope the one near you is brought under control completely soon.
The saddest are the fires started deliberately. Do the people not comprehend what they're doing?
DeleteI can only assume not. Or that they are psychopaths and delight in the pain of others.
DeleteSometimes it's kids. I feel pretty certain that they don't understand what they're doing.
Deleteawwww they know what they are doing and the don't care. We have already had several small wildfires all man or kid made. Crappy cigarette smokers are the worst.
DeleteI'm glad you weren't in danger, Janie! Thanks for the explanation about why there are more wild fires. We have another one raging in Alberta. Nice to see you!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see you, too, Debbie. I miss blogging. I read the information about wildfires when I learned about "our" fire, which doesn't affect me but I care about it because of the people and animals who are affected. Of course, it's very hard and dangerous work for the firefighters, too.
DeleteI had no idea about the fires. I don't watch TV news and didn't see anything online either. So glad it's not near your location. We haven't had a lot of rain in Alabama either. It's super hot too so we could use some.
ReplyDeleteI rarely see local news programs so I am blissfully ignorant of what goes on in my city. It was 101 yesterday.
DeleteI live in fire-prone area, and even the smell of smoke sends us into panic mode. Today, Memorial Day, I need to remind myself it is likely barbecue...
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone is very careful with their barbecues. I've heard some fireworks go off, which I don't understand. Fireworks on Memorial Day is not a tradition--at least not to me. And fireworks with danger of wildfires is just plain stupid.
DeleteI don't have regular TV with news programs. Had to choose between the internet and cable TV (can't even get broadcast TV in this building) because I couldn't afford both--so I miss a lot of stuff. I just heard about a whole bunch of tornadoes in the midwest yesterday. Had no idea there were fires near you! Good grief! So glad you are okay.
ReplyDeleteBut you do have that heat--OMG!! Isn't that awfully hot for May? Right now this morning it is 54 degrees up here, clouded over and windy--so it feels colder than that. 101--awk!! Stay cool, lady. I'd never leave the AC. ;)
It is extra hot for May. I really hate summer in Florida, but it's usually not this bad until July. I love October to May or June, depending on when the heat gets worse. This year, of course, it's May. The humidity isn't as high as usual. I went out in the backyard last night when the sun started to go down. The humidity was quite low and a nice breeze was blowing. Penelope had a dandy time playing Run In Circles Around The Big Bush.
DeleteHaving lived through the worst fires last summer, in my county and town - I am now certifiable FREAKED out and phobic in regards to fires. But it's the way things are now and we just have to learn to live with it. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right. I need to pay more attention to the local news so I'm aware of these things. A couple of years ago there was a bad wildfire in Georgia. I could smell the smoke when I went out in my yard. This time, no smoke so my senses didn't alert me to the fire.
DeleteThat is scary, Janie. You be safe.
ReplyDeleteI promise I'll start paying more attention to what's going on in the area, and I'll be careful.
DeleteYou stay safe over there, my hot friend.
ReplyDeleteLove you.
I shall, my cool friend.
DeleteSnow covered moonscape am me. I'm glad to leave the rest of you to your particular bits of USA.
ReplyDeleteFavorite Young Man was here on Saturday. He spent most of the day working in the heat. He mowed and trimmed everything in sight before bathing the dogs. While carrying large armfuls of trimmings from the big bush in the backyard, he said, Vegetation didn't grow like this back in Maryland. My answer, But the snow grew.
DeleteGood to know the fire wasn't in you backyard and just in the area and you were not in any danger.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for more news about the fire and haven't found it. I hope that means it's completely under control.
DeleteAww man...I love that map! I've lived in "air like hot soup" and "hurricane terror zone" my whole life. It's supposed to be 101° here tomorrow. We haven't had rain in weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if we had wildfires too. Take care and stay cool.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked when we suddenly had a big thunderstorm with heavy rain this afternoon. We needed the rain. I'm sure it helped get rid of whatever is left of the fire.
Delete101? Ugh! I'll take our snow! It's rainy and cool right now. Our summer monsoons are already here, and we've had some good thunderstorms and tornado warnings. That map says it all. Stay safe from the fires, Janie!
ReplyDeleteAfter it stormed this afternoon, it was a bit cooler but more humid. At 11:24 p.m. the temperature is 78 degrees.
DeleteI hope those fires stay away from you, Janie! Who else is going to teach us to spell properly? Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI'll do whatever it takes to continue to serve my loyal subjects.
DeleteI hope you will be safe,
ReplyDeleteThe map is a hoot !
parsnip
I'm glad you liked it. We're fine.
DeleteSo many times my family has called because they were concerned about a natural disaster that was reported in my area. I keep telling them it's no big deal. The news hypes it up more than it is. Glad it was no big deal for you.
ReplyDelete