Articles from: August 2007

Compassion on holiday

Date: Aug 28, 2007  Author: Richard  Category: Life on Earth

Tonight I made a trip to the grocery store to pick up cat food, and made a loop through the produce section to pick up some fruit. I bought a variety of goodies and was looking forward to savoring them over the next few days.

On the way home, I was listening to NPR radio since I had taken my iPod into the house this last weekend. Typically whenever I start my car, my iPod serenades me with all my favorite music, but for the past few days it has been NPR.

About half way home, All Things Considered came on with a report by Julie McCarthy titled, River’s Bounty Bypasses Families, Feeds Businesses.

The report centers on an area in northeastern Brazil along the Sao Francisco River where produce is grown, not for the people in the area, but for consumers in the US and Europe. According to the report (my emphasis):

…the bounty of this great waterway passes by thousands of poor families. In the area around the city of Petrolina in the distressed state of Pernambuco, 90 percent of the water from the river goes to large-scale agriculture, according to officials from the federal agricultural research agency. And the agriculture is not for for local consumption but for export.

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Bone Creek fire 8/24/07 PM

Date: Aug 24, 2007  Author: Richard  Category: Wyoming Fires

Just a little while ago InciWeb posted a report on Bone Creek, and unless it changes or flares up significantly, it will be their last posted report. It is listed at 40% contained and at 4027 acres, the same as yesterday.

Fire Behavior: Minimal fire behavior today with occassional showers and high humidity over the fire. Fire behavior has moderated from previous days, but is expected to increase as the weekend approaches.

Significant Events: No significant progress made today due to poor roads due to the weather, high humidity, and the high moisture content of the fuels. The team is preparing to transition to a Type III management organization at 0600 on 8/24/2007 who will monitor the fire over the next few days.

Planned Actions: Transition to the Type III organization. Monitor the fire for an increase in activity while reinforcing containment efforts begun earlier this week to reinforce the natural barriers around the fire.

Hopefully this weekend will not be too extreme and the fire will not grow, or grow minimally. According to the National Weather Service, both Saturday and Sunday are are supposed to be in the low to mid 90′s with winds in the range of 5 to 11 mph.

Bone Creek Fire 8/23/07 AM

Date: Aug 23, 2007  Author: Richard  Category: Wyoming Fires

InciWeb this morning reports the Bone Creek fire as 40% contained and has risen to 4027 acres. The rains yesterday helped considerably and dropped around an inch of rain on the fire. Total personnel on the fire is today listed at 264, down from 365 yesterday

Fire Behavior: Isolated torching with minimal fire behavior.

Significant Events: Aerial ignition in Wiley and Cedar Creek drainages was not completed due to weather. Secured some perimeter through hand ignition, cold trailing and direct line construction.

Planned Actions: If suitable weather, continue burn out operation to limit fire spread east of Road 10. Continue direct line and mop up operation. Try to secure west flank. Assess structure protection needs along Highway 14.

I had tentatively planned a trip up to Little Goose Canyon today, but due to the rain last night I will wait for a few days. The last thing I want to do is cause any sort of damage to the now fragile burn areas.

Bone Creek fire 8/22/07 Noon

Date: Aug 22, 2007  Author: Richard  Category: Wyoming Fires

InciWeb has just updated the status of the Bone Creek fire which is now at 25% containment and 3759 acres. The number of personnel assigned to this fire is now at 365.

According to InciWeb:

Fire Behavior: Moderate behavior with single tree and group torching. Fire behavior has moderated from previous, but is expected to increase as weather clears, RH drops and temperatures rise.

Planned Actions: If suitable weather exists, continue burn out operation to limit fire spread east of Road 10. Try to secure west flank. Assess structure protection needs along Highway 14.

Little Goose fire 8/22/07 Early PM – UPDATE

Date: Aug 22, 2007  Author: Richard  Category: Wyoming Fires

InciWeb is now listing the Little Goose fire as 100% contained, which is good news for all of us. There is no word yet on whether the evacuation orders are still in effect or not, or whether the roads have been opened. As soon as I can get any information, I will post it.

Once again, a big thanks to all those who worked so hard to save property and extinguish this fire, and all those still working on the others.

UPDATE: Red Grade road is now open, but only cabin owners are being allowed into the cabin areas.

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