Natural Disaster Over a million acres burned

[Justmehere]

While some parts of the US are dealing with hurricanes and floods, there are some massive wildfires burning up the west in the US and Canada. Over a million acres burned in Montana alone already. That's about 4,000 square kilometers or about 1,500 square miles.

Zero containment. There are other wildfires in Oregon, California, Washington, Colorado, Idaho... apparently FEMA is about to run out of cash and might have to operate on IOUs soon.

My home isn't currently threatened by of the fires yet, but smoke has filled the sky for two weeks and is expected to last until it snows or rains enough to put the fires out.

Wildfires stir up an old human caused trauma that is linked to wildfires for me. All these natural disasters all at once is also is stressing a lot of people out around me.

It is hard to breathe and go for a run to burn off symptoms and I'm tired. Fires and floods. The US has had enough of both... and they are expected to continue happen for while.

I don't/can't drive, don't even have a car. I know folks in town that if I have to evacuate, they would make space for me and my dog to take us with them. That means trusting others. I'm a very independent person in a very independent culture...

We could use a big snow dump about now to out these fires out. :(

 

[hodge]

I'm so sorry for what you're going through, JMH.

Prayers to you and everyone suffering from this.

If the temp isn't too warm there, can you shut your windows and use a fan or AC? Do you have enough space to throw your dog a toy and like play catch with her? I used to improvise and run in the house with my dog with her toys, but we have a nice long hallway. Also a circular floorplan downstairs. She used to love to run around and play "catch me if you can" around that circle.

:hug:

 

[Justmehere]

The temps are cooling off and that will make it easier. I don't have AC, but I use hepa filtering fan at night to pull in cool air. I might just start wearing a mask outside. :/ my mild asthma hates this.

My voice is scratchy from breathing in so much ick during wh day when I'm out and about. Throat coat tea helps.

I want to run and swim so much. Everyone is sooooo crabby. It could be so much worse for us here though, feels strange to complain.

 

[Kintsugi]

It could be so much worse for us here though, feels strange to complain.

I was in a bitch mood all week due to a massive increase in stressors. It rained some. I complained.

Don't let knowing you could have it worse affect your ability to validate that sometimes you just feel down about a situation.

 

[The Albatross]

Yup, what Simon said, "Don't let knowing you could have it worse affect your ability to validate your" feelings about it. Plus air quality with asthma is such a big issue. Feel better soon and I hope they get a grip on the fires... I looked at the fire map this morning - I didn't realize there were so many.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Breath....our first taste of life...and the thing that keeps us alive without ever having to really think about it. We can likely survive a while without food/shelter/water, given that the external conditions and our bodies allow, but not without our breath. My heart goes out to all the folks having to endure the smoke and struggling to breathe. Sending lots of fire extinguishing thoughts your way.

 

[DharmaGirl]

We got a break here yesterday, with no wind and a limited amount of ash falling. I have to go outside to take care of my hens, so I had a really wheezy week. I am hoping for another moderate air day today.

 

[dulcia]

Thinking about you, @Justmehere. Seems like Mother Nature is really giving everyone a run for their money. I have family in Washington that said they saw a man jogging with a gas mask on recently :eek:

 

[Neverthesame]

It's been bad up here in Canada as well. From the Canadian forestry service map, it looks like a third of the country has caught fire.

I live far enough away from the fires to not have to worry about losing my home. Alot of people aren't so lucky.

The smoke has been really bad here. I honestly don't think there was one day this summer that didn't look like that industrial pollution fog you see in China.

Mother nature is cranky this year. I guess Old man winter forgot about their anniversary again... :facepalm:

 

[Deadman]

On my little island, the fire hazard has been so high that basically, all activity that might cause a fire has ceased: no heavy machinery, no pressure washers, no lawnmowers, no parking cars on the grass. If it might make a spark you can't do it.

 

[Deadman]

It's raining! Not enough to put fires out but it should slow them down and help keep new ones from starting. People may even be able to breathe again.

 

[Deleted member 41765]

We have smoky skies here as well and last week an unprecedented stretch of days in the triple digits. I've lived here for 21 years and it has never been that hot. Of course, no one here has AC. I fear my pre-frontal cortex may have melted!