Well, We had our big wildland drill yesterday. The drill went really well but it was yet another reminder of how bad the fire season will be this summer (at least here in AZ).

For those of you who live where your homes can be threatened by wildfire, take some time to build a defensable space around your property. Take a good look at your home and spend a little time preping it for the fire season.

Don't forget to plan an escape route out of your neighbor hood (your community may already have something in place) and be prepared for you family to be away from your home for a week or more.

Ah, the fire season in southern CA! Accidental fires, pyromaniacs, the Santa Ana winds, roofs designed to catch and hold burning debris, and those wonderful shake shingle roofs that everone loves so.

The memories of that heavy, acrid smell of smoke that you can't seem to escape, climbing up my father's ham radio tower in the dark to see how far the flames had moved since the previous night...

Sigh.... I doubt that much has changed, except the houses are closer together, and most people wait to be told to evacuate because they're not bright enough to get out of the way by themselves. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

There are many things that I DON'T miss about SoCal! I wonder if there's a single orange grove left? Probably not. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Sue

I don't envy the fire crews this year.

A month back my nephew and I were practicing firecraft in the desert north of Phoenix. The dry grass we used for tinder went up like gasoline, and sticks burned in minutes. Everything burned so quickly that I'm not sure the two of us could have gathered fuel fast enough to keep the fire going.

It was scary how easily everything burned. We had picked the rock bed of an arroyo for our experiment, but I found myself wondering if the 10 feet between our fire and nearest plant was enough. We didn't leave until I could squeeze the ashes in my hand, and I used some of my drinking water on the ashes to be sure. I don't want to end up on the evening news, and I really don't want the firefighting bill.

Even here in the east, Wildfire season is starting NOW. Plan, prepare.

With all the rain we've been getting in CA. all that green is gonna burn when it drys out and turns brown this summer.
Gonna be a long bad fire season I'm afraid.

Dave

Wayne,

Welcome fellow desert dweller. Have you checked out the Phoenix Park Ranger programs? Phoenix Park Program <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I've bookmarked the link, Craig. Thanks!

I was hoping the Northern Rockies were gonna get spared this year, but we just had a fire that when 150+ acres in two hours. Very erratic fire behavior for this time of year.

Just another heads up...

Nice little link that. Infomation is clear and easy to understand. In terms of housebuilding it reminds me of the tale of The Big Wolf & The 3 Little Pigs.....

BUMP... it is that time of the year again.