This is topic UT Air Quality in forum The Anywhere Machine at Legion World.


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Posted by Lightning Lad on :
 
These are just a few pics I snapped with the camera phone on the way home tonight. They show what are normally bright, clear, blue skies that are now yellow, thick and smoky due to the nearly 500 sq. mile wide fire going on 100 miles to our south and the intense (107+ last three days) heat. If I get time and don't die from the heat I'll try to take some with a better camera.



 

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Posted by He Who Wanders on :
 
Sorry to hear about that, Scott. Is the fire spreading in your direction?
 

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Posted by Lightning Lad on :
 
It is heading in our direction and is only 10% contained. Over 500 square miles now, was 478 last night. The largest wildfire in UT prior to this one was only 158 square miles. Winds are shifting right now so they've called out more firefighters. Over 311,000 acres have been burned.
 

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Posted by He Who Wanders on :
 
Any idea when or if you'll have to evacuate?
 

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Posted by Lightning Lad on :
 
Hopefully we won't have to. To reach us the fire would have to go through the State Pen. While some of the folks out there might deserve a fiery end I wouldn't wish that on them.

Here are a few more pics, snapped by motorists and those fighting the fire.




 

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Posted by Lightning Lad on :
 





 

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Posted by He Who Wanders on :
 
Man! Those photos are dramatic and sad.

I'm glad that you're probably out of harm's way, though. Looks like those state pens are good for something.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
The fires are bad this year. I just moved from Albuqerue to Tucson. Both areas struggle with fires. We have a big observatory with six very expensive telescopes on top of a mountain called Kit Peak that are currently being threatened by a fire which is still about a mile away. We're hoping that the monsoons will start in the next couple of days. They are overdue. Scott, Does Utah get any rains from the monsoons? I've only been in the Southwest for four years now, and never experienced monsoons before I moved to Albuquerque. I'm not sure how far north they go.
 

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Posted by Saturn Girl on :
 
Hi Jerry, This is Scott's wife, and no, we do not have monsoons. We are in a serious draught and they have said we won't expect any measurable moisture until September. This place is a desert, and thankfully it isn't usually this dry and horrible. But we have been in a dry cycle for so many years that this year it's hitting extra hard. Right now there is a fire in Utah County and Carbon County, which is a huge coal mining and natural gas mining area. The fires are threatening the area, and this fire is being given #1 National priority. IF the fire gets to the mines, coal production would be crippled, and who knows how long the fires would burn, centuries???? If the fires reach the natural gas production plants, or major pipelines, the Intermountain West, the western US, and California will suffer. There are only about 250 firefighters available on-scene right now and double that are needed. With so many fires happening at once, it is a nightmare for everyone involved.
 

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Posted by Faraway Lad on :
 
Those are dramatic and powerful photo's. I hope you are kept safe guys and dont have to worry about evacuation and stuff.

Has anyone started to dig fire breaks between the towns and the fires yet?
 

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Posted by Vee on :
 
Those pictures bring back awful memories from a few years ago here. Thankfully we haven't seen anything like that since but this year has been extremely dry and we have yet to experience any tropical weather events (not that I'm hoping for any of those either! )

Fingers crossed and best wishes winging your way. Be safe Scott & Caroline!
 

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Posted by Blue Battler on :
 
Wow.

You guys take care!
 

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Posted by Kent Shakespeare on :
 
best wishes, gang.
 

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Posted by Nightcrawler on :
 
Wow. Flashbacks to the Cedar Fires here in SD.

Try not to go outside more than you have to and take care of yourselves guys!
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
Thanks for responding Saturn Girl. It sounds serious. That's a huge fire. I don't think people understand how overwhelmed the poor firefighters are. Hopefully we will get some moisture down here to free up some firefighters to send your way. Stay safe.
 

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Posted by Lad Boy on :
 
The elevators in my office building have little annoying news monitors that tell us generally useless things like Paris Hilton's incarceration status.

When I saw "Wildfire in Utah" today I immediately thought of (1) your health and safety and (2) "Dawnstar in NV" as the next likely headline.

Hope you're safe and -- like all Marriott hotel rooms -- 100% smoke-free.
 

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Posted by Lightning Lad on :
 
Well the fire is still moving and spreading but they are hoping to have it 30% contained today unless we get the dry lightning storms being predicted. They also think this was man caused and not nature. Someone's campfire or ATV but not intentional.

On top of it I took the day off. Overdid it in the smoke and heat yesterday, against dr's orders and med requirements. Couldn't even get out of bed this morning and I'm still quite dizzy when I stand up.
 

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Posted by Quislet, Esq. on :
 
Scott,

I hope you feel better & that you and Caroline (and her mom) remain safe.

And I hope they get that fire under control before it hits either the coal mines or the natural gas facilities. It is at times like this that I really wish I had the Flash's power (or Green Lantern's)
 

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Posted by Lightning Lad on :
 
Thanks Rob.

That's the other thing. The Mathis fire burning near the gas fields and coal mines. That's on the other side of the Milford fire. It is considered the #1 fire in the U.S. right now because of the potential for disaster.
 

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Posted by Pov on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lightning Lad:
Overdid it in the smoke and heat yesterday, against dr's orders and med requirements. Couldn't even get out of bed this morning and I'm still quite dizzy when I stand up.

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HOW does Caroline put up with you?! PUHLEEEEEZE take care of yourself, Scooter!

The air can't be that good for -any- of you. All three of you take care.
 

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Posted by Blockade Boy on :
 
We don't tend to have such problems up here, hard to imagine. The photos look scary. Take care. Don't be the last one to leave.
 

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Posted by Pov on :
 
How's the air, Scott? RockyMountainNews.com reported the Milford Flat, Jungle and Mathis fires were out as of Wednesday, while the Neola North and Greenville Bench blazes were 80% contained, but it's still 110 degrees out!

How're you guys holding up?
 

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Posted by Lightning Lad on :
 
Thanks for asking Bri!

You don't want to know what my electric bill is running this last month. But even as well insulated as our home is it is still 85+ in the house if we don't run the central air. And try as I might to drive home with the windows down I just can't make it all the way without cranking the AC. Even this morning on the way in at 6:00 AM I had to eventually turn on the AC.

But at least the smoke is gone. Still too hot outside for those with breathing issues but at least they won't die from smoke inhalation.
 

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Posted by Pov on :
 
Glad to hear the smoke's cleared up. s to you guys.

Looks like you're getting out of the triple digits (barely ), with a good chance for rain later next week. Here's hoping!
 

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