Yesterday when we went to Flagstaff we had decided if I was finished by noon we would stay and have lunch and then drive around to get some pictures. But, as soon as we had lunch, we came home. Here's why! They were doing controlled burns. For forty or fifty miles it was smoky and smelly. It was hard to breathe at times and there were caution signs on the highway that you would be driving into smoke. It isn't easier on allergies or lungs if it's controlled instead of a wildfire. It went on for as far as we could see on the other side of Flagstaff too. There was no getting away from it. So we came home. dooley
I was actually glad to get home. I was tired and had a tension headache. I'm feeling much better tonight. dooley
Are controlled burns something they do often? I've heard of such techniques before, but I've never heard of it actually being done, I don't think.
They do controlled burns in Arizona quite a lot. They usually have a lot of wildfires in the summer. Most are started by campers and hikers, or dry lightning. I guess controlled burns helps save towns and homes but it is still hard on people who have allergies or breathing problems. dooley
I'd imagine it takes quite a degree of skill to map out a controlled burn. It's a good thing that Sweden is up north as with the amount of forest here a wildfire would be a scary prospect for those that live beside them.
We have controlled burns on our hillsides here in Scotland every year. Not to stop fires being started by stupid or careless people but to allow new heather growth for the grouse and other birds to feed on. So sorry the burns affected you so badly Dooley but I'm glad you're feeling much better now.
They are burning undergrowth and scrubby brush and dried grass. Things grow quickly here and it dries out just as quick. It doesn't take much to start a fire. I have a particular dislike for the people who just toss a cigarette butt out the window of their vehicle with no regard to where it lands. Or hikers and campers who don't make sure their fires are out before they leave. dooley
