On most summer
evenings a sunset from the hill above our town looks like this:
A view across
the valley toward a landmark extinct volcano.
Yesterday
evening the same view looked like this.
Smoke has settled into the valleys and really messed up the visibility .
(news photo of fires in central Idaho)
August 22, 2012--Salmon/Challis National Forest, Idaho (KMVT-TV)
The fires continue to burn in central Idaho today. The Halstead fire near
Stanley has burned 96,235 acres and remains at 5% contained. Meanwhile
the Mustang complex fire near Salmon has burned 99,450 as of
this time and is 9% contained, according to officials at the scene.
Both fires were lightning caused.
According to the
local news, “Air quality in Idaho
There are fires
on both sides of us in central Idaho and western
Montana
“Due to the lack of moisture throughout
the park in the last several days, the fire danger level in Yellowstone
has been elevated to Extreme.”
The smoke has
produced some spectacular sunsets.
Sometimes the
air is so murky the sun looks like a magenta hole in the sky.
Another factor
is probably field burning after the harvest of grain crops. Farmers usually
burn their wheat stubble as an inexpensive way to help control volunteer
plants, weeds and disease. Permits are
required for burning and it's been banned in some locations. But, just like in many areas of conflict, the
wheels of change turn slow.
All I know is the air is toxic. I have Christmas colored eyes—green outlined
in red. My sinuses and throat feel like
they’ve been rubbed with salty sand. A little breeze and some soaking rain
would really be nice.
