If a FIRE burns a couple of hundred square miles of range land and it is not reported on national news, does it matter? Even if it is the biggest wildfire burning in the nation?
Well, maybe some national news picked it up, but I didn’t see it. If those flames were torching mansions and tennis courts the world would hear about it. But families of antelope, rabbits and varmints are not newsworthy. And I guess the acres and acres of farm crops that would be toast except they are too green to burn are not as important as golf courses and lah-te-dah estates. But just as well. If people seeking uncrowded places, with clean water and air knew about this part of the world they would promptly crowd it and fill it with pollution.
Tuesday afternoon I looked up from my desk and saw the sky was filled with really weird clouds. I stepped out on the porch and took some photographs--
of smoke rolling across the sky.
Within minutes the sun was darkened and finally blotted out.
Wind was bending the trees and carrying the smoldering clouds in from a fire blazing across the wide open grassland of the Idaho National Laboratory reserve 30 miles west of here.
Around 300 firefighters using fire engines, a helicopter, bulldozers and air tankers went to work on the blaze.
Even now on Thursday the fight goes on, although the smoke around here has cleared. On my walk home I saw a car full of fellows dressed in range fire fighting gear looking worn and grimy coming out of Taco Bell. They climbed in their car and drove west.
Satellite view of the plume of smoke. It flows from the middle of Southeast Idaho and up into Wyoming and Montana
10 comments:
OH! MY! HEAVENS!!!!! That is terrible! Awful! Your photos are good, but fire...
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
What a heartfelt post Leenie, this type of event makes my blood run cold - how little value is put on the natural world by so many who expect all the convenience without any responsibility.
that breaks my heart. i hope it rains soon.
I SAW THAT! it was INTENCE! thats really neat that it blacked out the sky where you were at. Kind of ominous and kreepy. ;) neat stuff
I hadn't heard or read a word about it.
That sounds pretty newsworthy to me! How frightening it must be for humans and animals alike. The photos are really dramatic and give a little feel of what it must be like.
Thanks for your comments on the drawings-The Grease song just drifted into my head as I was doing the last one!
What a terrible thing to happen - if it was started deliberately I hope they catch the villains, lock them up and throw away the key!!
Oh My Goodness, Leenie.... I hadn't heard about this. I am so sorry... Hope the fire is out by now...
Your pictures are beautiful ---but I hate to think of all of that smoke.... Unbelievable...
We finally got a tiny bit of rain today... Hope you all get LOTS of rain soon.
Hugs,
Betsy
Great photos, sad subject. Too bad some of the ash doesn't land on a place that could use some back burning. Wait. We won't go there. Keep breathin!
Smokey is SO pissed off now- He is going to turn in his shovel and hat and move to the dessert! That fire is too close for comfort- but not for roasting marshmallows- It's the old lemon lemonade thing.Stay damp and safe, dear Leenie- If your house gets too warm come over here, OK?
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