Hundreds of miles from the nearest of the worst fires our air has officially put us at the top of the worst of the world list. (This is under some debate, but suffice to say it's pretty crap right now.)
I supply you with photographic evidence.
Last week vs this week: the view from my street (admitting different zoom levels)
But seriously, where did the Salesforce tower go?!?
We are reduced to this when we have to travel outside. This is lunch with the ladies (I'm the second from the right.)
Ours schools were closed today. Sports for the kids have been cancelled after already being postponed. Playoff games were settled with a coin toss. (I had to verify this a few times).
With the fires up in Napa /Santa Rosa we experienced something similar. This is MUCH MUCH worse. Fire season feels like it has become a thing. Our lungs hurt, our eyes burn. Everyone feels a mess.
Anyways. That's what is happening.
So very sorry to hear about all the smoke in SF; that was such a horrible fire in Paradise, more terrible than one could even imagine. We experienced some smoke here this past August, but nothing close to what it must be like in your area right now. I hope that it dissipates soon and that your state gets some much needed rain! Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy, we've never experienced anything like this before either. Thankfully rain looks likely in the next day or two!
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ReplyDeleteDear, lord. When I saw your posts on Twitter I couldn't believe my eyes. This story isn't getting half of the attention it deserves. What horror. I donated to a CA vet organization to help care for the injured wildlife. It all just breaks my heart.
ReplyDeleteStay safe!!!!
Thank you for the donations! It is absolutely heartbreaking so many people have been affected. The Paradise community is just struggling to figure out where to put kids to get them back into classes. Something we take for granted, accessible education in our communities!
DeleteI know your heart is burning too, so much devastation to the land and loss of life. Animals, people, homes and lives, it si so horrible. Wishing you clean air, but also wishing you safety from the fires.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mere, we feel a bit guilty complaining (though the affects of the bad air are very obvious) when so many people have been affected so much more painfully and directly. I see that people and businesses around here are trying to be helpful with the most affected communities. It's nice to see.
DeleteKeep your lungs as clear as possible!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris! Masks were sold out but we got our mitts on a fresh batch on Saturday!
DeleteWow! When you see it on the news, you don't really think about the effect is has on the surrounding areas!
ReplyDeleteI can understand. We have seen and smelled the smoke pushed from various fires before, but never like this. It's literally unavoidable. It is literally making people ill.
DeleteSo sorry to hear it is so bad--be safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks, friend. There is rain in the forecast!
DeleteI'm so sorry. We've been through that a few times here in Oregon, although with us it has occurred in August/September and not in deep November. Such a horrible fire, affecting so many people. Take care and be careful. And if you have a car, be sure to get the air filter changed once the smoke clears up.
ReplyDeleteOh Yes, Oregon is very familiar with fires with all your beautiful forest. The Eagle Creek wildfire made me absolutely angry.
DeleteOh my gosh! We do have a family car and this is GREAT advice! thank you so much!
Sorry to see the impact the smoke is having in your area. Keep protecting yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy! The Kid is in lockdown at home.
DeleteIt's bad here too. We should really be wearing those masks while out and about. My sinuses get really irritated from the smokey air.
ReplyDeleteYes N95. We will probably have some leftover after the smoke has cleared, but we are beginning to think we will need it for the following year at this rate.
DeleteMy husband will order some when the prices go down. Yes, I think you'd like The View from Saturday. It was a good audiobook too.
DeleteOh Ellen, it's terrible, I've been watching it on the news here and I can't imagine how bad it's been for you all to go through that. So much loss of life and destruction. And all that air pollution over such a huge area. You are in my thoughts. Sending you a cyber hug. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteCJ your sympathy is sweet, but really the sadness is for the people that have lost so much if not everything, for those that are still waiting to hear about their missing.
DeleteThe air pollution is no joke, the most vulnerable of us is my asthmatic, allergic child who is at home too much but gets to indulge in his video games. I do not feel sorry for him one. He needs to read more, like when he was small and sweet. LOL.
I'm so sorry you have such rotten air quality, I've been keeping close tabs on the news and the fire(s). Stay safe!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! We are doing our best!
DeleteOh love, I am sorry. That is miserable. Here in Arizona we are getting a bit of the bad air from the fires, but it is small in comparison to what you are having to deal with.
ReplyDeletesending you love.
Thanks Andi! There is always something to weather. Some worse than others. We are still very, very fortunate.
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry this is happening to you. I will keep you in my prayers. The devastation does come through from the reporters, but it cant compare with your living it. HUGS
ReplyDeleteIt was bad, but we were the lucky ones compared to those immediately impacted. And we are even luckier now, because ... RAIN!
DeleteMy heart goes out to all of the communities impacted by the fires. I hope that the air quality improves for you all!
ReplyDeleteFire season has been a 'thing' in Australia's southern states for decades. Everyone needs to have a Bushfire Emergency Plan. Even densely populated and manicured suburbs can become victims of bushfires even though they are not technically "in the bush". We have had some tragic fires here - the financial and emotional legacies of bushfire trauma are profound. Australians saw the news of Californian fires and hearts go out to everyone over there. Within weeks, we had another major fire emergency in Queensland. That is not the norm for Queensland, a northern subtropical state. One Queenslander said "We are used to droughts and floods but not this (multiple major bushfire fronts).
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your loved ones survive intact and that those who have lost so much can receive kindness and generosity from others this Christmas.