The Rim Fire wildfire is burning on the edge of Yosemite now. It started west of Yosemite but exploded in size Thursday night to spread into the western edge of the park. Seems like something so far away from me, but I just read that it could directly affect us right here.

Yosemite is a couple hundred miles from us in San Francisco, but I was just reading that the fire is threatening both the electricity and water supply of San Francisco. The fire has already damaged power lines, prompting a shutdown of some lines but no blackouts so far.

And the fire is only 4 miles from Hetch Hetchy, which is the primary water source for San Francisco. Not sure exactly how it might affect the water quality, but it can't be good if the fire reaches the reservoir.

Anyway, it's been sort of a wake up call. It's not just big earthquakes that we have to worry about here in San Francisco and prep for.

really hope they get that fire under control. that's some beautiful country going up in flames right there - some of the finest in the lower 48 states.

did they say what caused it?

Pete2

I have not heard any official reports, but I read one report by someone out hiking that suggests it was a lightning strike, perhaps a double lightning strike. He reported that the peaks on both sides of a deep valley were burning at the same time while the fire was still small.

I just read that even the City of San Francisco is part of the governor's declaration of a state of emergency due to the risk to the electrical and water supplies to the city.

You will be surprised by how fast the forest will recover. I was in Yellowstone a few years after their big fire in '88. IIRC you could tell where it had burned but it had recovered a lot. About ten years later, you would have had to know where to look and what to look for to tell it had ever burned. Some species of pines only release seeds from the cones when triggered by the heat of a fire.

normally I am a believer in the recovery of forests after fire. and you are right that some trees release seeds as a result of being burned.

but I am more concerned with the next 20 years than in past history. I do believe that the general set of data showing that CO2 content in the Earth's atmosphere is steadily rising. there is no disputing that data - it is rising and so far is not leveling off. I do also believe this will result in increasing amounts of "climate change". I am not panicking about the change. but a combination of factors, including rising air pollution, changes in precipitation and moisture cycles, habitat encroachment by people, and warmer temperatures - these combined affects are putting pressures on the wilderness.

therefore, what I'm saying is that the overall environmental "change" can overwhelm the ability of nature to respond in the short term. hence ... long-lasting permanent damage can occur. it's worthwhile for us to become actively involved in restoration of the Earth's environment ... if we sit back now - we may fall behind in the ability to preserve what we've got.

Pete2

The following link will always display the most perimeter of the Rim Fire straight from the GeoMAC server. This is the same server that also provides data to the crews on the fire line. Sometimes the data on the InciWeb site is not as current as the data that comes from the GeoMAC server. (The InciWeb site gets its data from GeoMAC.)

For more information about this map, you can follow the “About” link in the upper left corner of the map.

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/fires/2013_rim_fire_map.html

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

Post fire erosion is a large factor in a decline in water quality.

Actually, I am counting on technology to solve the problem artificially.

We are nowhere close to being able to control our environment, yet. But I think by the end of the 21st century, we will be forced to do develop and implement CO2 atmospheric scrubbers that will remove and sequester CO2 on a HUGE scale.

IIRC, that was prophesied in Seaquest, DSV, after we had killed the oceans.

Ok practical question - is there a place where I can donate money to help the 2800 firefighters who are working on the Rim Fire. I'm thinking of donations that help them with food, drinks, and basic necessities.

Pete2

Benjamin ... again another very good call. I agree with you. By the end of 2100 the world may need giant facilities that effectively purify the atmosphere for the planet. I have to say that it seems unthinkable to attempt something on that scale - but we may not have a choice. Essentially we will be "terraforming" our own planet. We will probably need to make adjustments to the oceans as well.

cheers,
Pete2