Excitement in C'ville
We have had excitement here tonight in town, and a first. A forest fire in January. About 1/4 mile from the house. Not burning our direction, and will be out in another few hours. Fortunately no residences down where it burned/is burning.
Our landlord started a burn pile yesterday. An illegal burn pile. Usually they are legal this time of year, but it has been so dry - very low humidity and windy, so burn days have not been allowed. Landlord is a law unto himself, and he decided he was going to have a burn pile. Started it, and apparently last night it was really hot, and some locals were warning him to be careful. This afternoon I noticed there were 2 piles (or at least, 2 distinct smoke columns), then 3, then 4. Some of our neighbors went down to the canyon and tried shoveling dirt onto the piles, and landlord said, "Oh, don't worry about it. I have everything under control." Only he didn't. And now a whole canyon is burning.
A bunch of us stood on the bluff behind our homes and watched. Close enough to see, far enough away to be out of the way, and not in danger. Landlord, thy name is hubris. At last count there were almost a dozen different trucks from several companies. The local VFD, Grass Valley, and even the Feds got into the act. At least where it is burning is mostly brush and old downed logs. Those may smoulder for a while, We know that someone will be watching it until it is completely out. I certainly don't want to get a knock on the door tonight that we have to leave.
A forest fire in January, when it is 35 out. Only our landlord could be so dumb.
Had to wait to type this entry, because when I came back in, my hands were so cold I couldn't feel anything, and they were bright red and itchy as well. At least now they are skin colored and don't itch.
Our landlord started a burn pile yesterday. An illegal burn pile. Usually they are legal this time of year, but it has been so dry - very low humidity and windy, so burn days have not been allowed. Landlord is a law unto himself, and he decided he was going to have a burn pile. Started it, and apparently last night it was really hot, and some locals were warning him to be careful. This afternoon I noticed there were 2 piles (or at least, 2 distinct smoke columns), then 3, then 4. Some of our neighbors went down to the canyon and tried shoveling dirt onto the piles, and landlord said, "Oh, don't worry about it. I have everything under control." Only he didn't. And now a whole canyon is burning.
A bunch of us stood on the bluff behind our homes and watched. Close enough to see, far enough away to be out of the way, and not in danger. Landlord, thy name is hubris. At last count there were almost a dozen different trucks from several companies. The local VFD, Grass Valley, and even the Feds got into the act. At least where it is burning is mostly brush and old downed logs. Those may smoulder for a while, We know that someone will be watching it until it is completely out. I certainly don't want to get a knock on the door tonight that we have to leave.
A forest fire in January, when it is 35 out. Only our landlord could be so dumb.
Had to wait to type this entry, because when I came back in, my hands were so cold I couldn't feel anything, and they were bright red and itchy as well. At least now they are skin colored and don't itch.