The sun rose blood red this morning. Smoke in the air has that effect. The summer monsoons have arrived. Yesterday afternoon we had a giant thunderstorm. The lightning struck all around us and the thunder was like a war zone. Chance stood at the front window and barked back, trying to chase it away. There was no rain at first and with the tinder-dry grass and brush that is dangerous. Finally the rain began, mixed with hail. It was heavy enough to totally flood our lower back yard. Everything got well watered. We left for Prescott Valley during this storm. Somewhere just beyond Poland Junction, there was no rain and Prescott Valley was dry. Mayer was the only area with this heavy rain, and not all of it. Coming home we saw fire in the distance and the closer we got to Mayer, the more evident it was that it was close to Mayer. It would seem to be out g Goodwin Road, a gravel and dirt road that runs from Mayer to the old ghost town of Goodwin. This morning all is lush and green in our neighborhood but there is smoke in the sky. Dry lightning is a summer danger. We will not go near the fire location. I am sure the fire crews are busy right now. More storms are predicted for today as it is the time of fire and water-the season of the smoke. DR
Stay safe DR and Dooley. Chance Security Systems can keep a lot of stuff away but unfortunately fire is one of their weaknesses.
Please keep yourselves safe!! I know those fires must be really scary!! I will keep ya'll in my thoughts!!
I love how poetically you write, DR - even your title. You could almost make this report on weather and fire into a ballad!
As of eight o'clock this morning the fire had burned or was burning 3,550 acres. It's now near l8 pm and it's no where under control and has burned all day. All afternoon hotshot fire crews have been arriving. So far it hasn't burned toward Mayer. It is burning toward Crown King. Crown King is an old mining town with a population most of the year less than 100. In summer however it is a popular getaway for Phoenix and has some million dollar homes tucked away in the pines. They have evacuated people from there. It is several miles from us and unless the wind changes we will be okay. But, because it is in the mountains, Crown King is over 8.000 ft., you can see it burning. We went to where you can see it better from the highway. It is a long fire. It stretches miles. There was more thunder and lightning tonight for awhile. It looked to be in every direction. Slurry bombers have been attacking the fire all day. I hate it when they get so close. It could change with the wind direction and moves very fast. I hope the lightning doesn't start any more. Dooley
Dooley, I will be keeping you and DR in my prayers. I pray everything will be ok for y'all. We are still in severe drought, no rain at all. We have lost one big oak and 2 more seem to be in stress. It scares me with the 4th coming up and the fireworks. That is all it would take to start a fire. Our parish council would not ban them bc so many of them own firework stands and it would cut into their income. My yard is like a tinder box waiting for a spark to ignite it. I pray we all stay safe.
I'll keep you in my prayers, too. This is the first real rain we've had in awhile. There are fire danger signs all over with fire restrictions and there are still people who build campfires right on the ground and then go for a hike. Prescott and Prescott Valley both have fireworks permits. I guess they think if they are controlled by the cities and the fire departments are on hand it will be okay. But, sparks fly. Doolely
My gracious, how very frightening for all of you - may it be under control soon, and God be with all the firefighters out in that heat.
Me and my sister were talking about the fireworks and lack of rain here last night. We agreed to not shoot off any until we get a good soaking. Even my usually lush green grass is brown and I water it everyday. I just cant keep up.
