It's only 92 here but this is the 4th day of it; it's getting old. I'm contemplating xeriscape as well. I just was outside for a minute, watching the neighbor's sprinklers watering the street. I'll have to get out there later and adjust them. The asphalt just isn't that thirsty. I think they waste more water than I use--the gutter was a torrent. If I could just figure out how to get the runoff to water my property, I would eliminate the neighbor's waste and a lot of my water bill.

It's smoky here in Sacramento, Michael - guess that the wind is bringing the Solano smoke our way. It was mighty hot the last couple of days, about 103 yesterday, but better today. I was gone for a couple of weeks to wet, green Ohio and keep finding plants just fried to a crisp in my yard. The cemetery is looking pretty good, though.
Anita

The Great Dismal Swamp located at the Virginia and North Carolina border has been on fire for a little over two weeks now. The burning is so extensive that the smoke can be seen and smelled as far north as Williamsburg, VA. Reports of respiratory problems due to the smoke has become common in the Tidewater region of VA. The Virginia Pilot newspaper has reported that as of 6-22-08 a total of 3,096 acres have been scorched. What truly amazes me is how CNN and other national news agencies have completely ignored the disaster.

I went and checked this site yesterday after I read your posting, MAT. They should update the site sometime today. I hope it cools down, ya'll.

Here is a link that might be useful: fires and containment around the US

Michael,

One of the many joys of living near the Bay is that we are the first to cool down. By Saturday eve, the fog was creeping inland and the breeze was heaven sent.

I have smelled smoke since yesterday. This morning when I went to walk the dogs at 4:30 am, the air was heavy with smoke.

I am glad for this cooler times, as we can only water every 3 days. I am beginning to put pots under the water faucets to catch water as it warms.

Carol

Dang--that's HOT! I guess we can be thankful here for our amazing five weeks of rain and subsequent hot temperatures that get up in the low nineties. I can see how you Californians would like some moderate, seasonal weather.

Melissa

We have had fires here in the East Bay Area and summer just arrived, we all have many long months ahead to pay attention. There is much we can do to protect ourselves even from arson, but it is very hard work. I wish the eucalyptus (gasoline trees) were removed from our area. We mow our pasture down to dirt and have an above ground pond for extra water. I keep my roses around the house hydrated, but what if they start water restrictions? Wish the roadside easments were paved or gravel, there is always the worry of a ciggarette tossed or a tow chain sparking a fire. The older I get the more difficult it is to do battle every year. All tips, suggestion & ideas are welcome. My heart breakes for anyone that has lossed and may I add, we all know the floods are just as devastating.....

All you smell is smoke in Tracy. Unsure as to the location of the fire, could be 5miles or a 100miles away. The wind is blowing and the sky is gray with smoke.

400 fires started by lighting on Saturday. This will be a long fire season for firefighters!

Hope for some rain!

In the past we've smelled smoke from fires in Kentucky about 120 miles away. And it doesn't go away quickly.
I can't imagine what it will take for the air in California's great valley to clear.
Locally, the state is cutting back the forestry jobs, especially those involved in fire fighting, so there will be fewer folks with expertise for us to send westward.

What are they thinking?

And ITA with Molineaux about the lack of news about the Dismal Swamp.

Meanwhile Pampas Grass is used locally for lanscaping because it's so pretty when it's dry. My FIL has it growing UNDER the plastic fascia on the front of his house. And he doens't want to cut it back because it's part of the landscaping.

The Napa-Solano Wild Fire has been smoking central Sonoma County since Saturday night, when I woke up to the smell of smoke. It is even smokier this morning, but much cooler. I will be leaving for Mill Valley soon for relief from the smoke.

In Southern California, the heat began to break on Sunday.
Near the beach, there was actually a sea breeze.
This morning, there's a light coastal fog here, just a few miles inland.
The sea breeze is cool, and strong enough to sound our wind chimes.
We've set our pantry door open, to let in some of the cooler air. The house is still heat-soaked.
Even the dishes in the cupboard are warm to the touch.

That will fade, until the next time.
I'm just praying we have no fires down here.
The firefighters are spread awfully thin.

Jeri

It cooled down here around 2 in the afternoon Saturday (according to Mark), I was up in Mendocino for the garden tour, where apparently they'd had no heat wave at all, and it was 62° all day there. Since it cooled down, we've held to below 80 for highs, and in the 40s at night, which is normal for us. It'd be nice if that'd be all we get for the rest of the year, usually we only get one heatwave per year, but we've already had two extreme ones so far.

--Ron

When I lived in Petaluma, there was one, but they got it stopped before it came too close to the town.

The temps in Iowa are delightful; that is likely to change as the summer goes on. We have grass fires here when it's very dry, but not as bad as in CA with all the brush and trees (we do have trees! but not the kind that tend to flash ignite or jump breaks, they usually get them under control pretty fast and have the man power to do it because they aren't usually fighting multiple ones at once.

I hope they get yours under control soon. CA seems to be plagued with them the last several years which is a shame. Don't remember their being so bad years ago; only the worst ones probably made the news. Hope the firefighters, your homes and persons stay safe!

It's 10 degrees cooler here today. What a relief! I hope the cooler weather helps get the fires under control.

I can see (parts of)six counties from my workplace. On a good day I can see the GGB. On a really good day I can see the vertical cables.

Not today!!!

I could see up to the edge of the water and that was it.

I'm just glad everyone is OK and boy-O-boy does it look like a long season is upon us. (hope that doesn't sound too presumptuous from a newbie Californian)

M

A newsnote from somewhere on line. Port Arthur Texas has found a way to provide jobs for its citizens. They're going to import PCBs from Mexico and incinerate them at Port Arthur.
There was no mention of what all the folks down wind of them in Louisiana would get from this wonderful new business.

I'm in Sacramento, also (Hi, Cemetery Rose). REALLY smoky. I'm just grateful that the heat didn't completely coincide with this smoke - I would have cracked up, for sure.
I haven't been on the forum for a while, because i am lost in Moving Limbo since May 19. I've been up here in Sacto looking for a duplex, while my sister stayed in Merced to finalize the sale of her house. That is STILL the situation (although I found us an apartment, no little bit of garden, but a great balcony that goes the whole length of the apartment, so container plants will do nicely) - I feel we are trapped in a novel by Kafka... the crash of the housing market and the panic in the loan industry seems to be at the botton of all the dithering. I think we see light at the end of the tunnel, though, so we hope to be settled soon. I'll be so glad to get my own computer set up - I'm on today at the local branch of the library.
I took a day to calm myself at the Sac City Cemetery Rose Garden, but of course, the roses were pretty much Over. Still, it was a nice experience.
Now back into what looks like a really bad day in downtown L.A. (and I know whereof I speak, having worked there for a number of years - no offense to L.A. folks, I hope).
Laura

Still smoky and gray today. All of the state is in a blanket of smoke. We have had over 800 fires start since Saturday.

We need some rain!

At five AM I awoke to the "morning after campfire" strong scent of smoke suspended in the fog. The gentle breeze appears to be north east at the moment. Last I heard, there are 1,022 fires in Northern California. More lightening storms possible in a few days, unfortunately, with warmer temptures and dryer conditions. Not good to hear.......

"Last I heard, there are 1,022 fires in Northern California. "
I am sorry for you guys and gals. I hope there is a break soon.

Carla

Forgot to say, in my previous message: my little tea roses, that I got in bands from Vintage in the spring (and potted up), have moved to Sacramento as well, and are currently hanging out in a beautiful garden belonging to my nephew and his wife. They've survived the move, but, like me, they look a little the worse for the wear. Nevertheless, they made it!!
Laura

Welcome to smoky Sacramento, Laura!

We cancelled yesterday's work day in the cemetery because of the smoke - and may do it again for Saturday, because the forecast is for more of the same. We almost NEVER cancel, but who needs to breathe this yucky air?

Glad you made it out to the cemetery garden - yes, the peak is over, but fortunately there is always something in bloom.

We'll be "Deadheading at Dusk" on Monday, July 7th, at 6:30 pm. They lock the gates at 7 pm normally, so this is a great chance to be in the cemetery when nobody else is there. We work till we can't see what we're doing, then have some refreshments and hang out Hopefully, the smoke will have cleared by then, and it won't be too hot. Hope you can join us, and anybody else who is in the area.
Anita

Is it my fertile imagination or is it just getting worse?

:)

It seem apocalyptic outside.

M

Keep us posted.

Melissa

Here in Mendocino County there are 130 fires burning. It is very surreal in my garden with heavey smoke that looks like fog. The sun is blood red. Yesterday some of my friends were evacuated from a place called Greenfield Ranch. We are not in any danger here. There are more lightening storms predicted.

Hi Pam, you and your beautiful land are in my thoughts! We are in fog, smog and smoke here in the Bay Area and the sunlight looks so strange. This is heartbreaking, and Big Sur burning......what have we done to this beautiful planet!

I saw the lightening storm prediction this morning on television.

I'm happy you're not in any danger at RRR!

Bodi, you guys are taking quite a hit, aren't you?

The sun has just been a faint red disk here too at times.

M

Take care everyone! It's so eerie when the ash colors the hot skies a strange color. Poor California! Soon, only the coastline will be left unscorched.