2021 summer fires

[ponytug]

The article did reference the supply being ok, just logistics. In fire fighting, as in many things, that last mile is important.

There is a shortage of truck drivers generally, but especially drivers trained and certified to haul hazardous loads. The average age of a US truck driver is about 47, life expectancy is 61, (75% of all drivers are over 40), and half of all drivers leave the profession in two years or less.

It isn't an easy job.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Larry Caldwell]

The article did reference the supply being ok, just logistics. In fire fighting, as in many things, that last mile is important.

There is a shortage of truck drivers generally, but especially drivers trained and certified to haul hazardous loads. The average age of a US truck driver is about 47, life expectancy is 61, (75% of all drivers are over 40), and half of all drivers leave the profession in two years or less.

It isn't an easy job.

All the best,

Peter

Yeah, I went with a neighbor on a run once. I have rarely been so beat in my life, and he had an air ride cab. We pulled out of Portland and the next time we shut down was for a delivery in Denver. Then we ran until the diesel gelled up in Kearney, NE. Back on the road we made it to Elkhart, IN. The drive back was easier, non-stop from Elkhart to Portland, swapping off in the sleeper, including crossing Idaho in a blizzard. No way would I do that for a living.

 

[Jchonline]

I'm curious... exactly whose fault is it exactly for not planning ahead?.... The contract air suppression company, the BLM/Forest Service, or the airport's fault?

Whomever owns the airplane, unless it is rented or leased then it would be that entity. Just because they have 8 different hands in the pot doesn't absolve that collective org of planning ahead.

 

[Jchonline]

Yeah, I went with a neighbor on a run once. I have rarely been so beat in my life, and he had an air ride cab. We pulled out of Portland and the next time we shut down was for a delivery in Denver. Then we ran until the diesel gelled up in Kearney, NE. Back on the road we made it to Elkhart, IN. The drive back was easier, non-stop from Elkhart to Portland, swapping off in the sleeper, including crossing Idaho in a blizzard. No way would I do that for a living.

I have a close friend that is a truck driver and has been for 17 years. Hard work, but he is happy doing it and was gainfully employed during the pandemic.

 

[ponytug]

I have a close friend that is a truck driver and has been for 17 years. Hard work, but he is happy doing it and was gainfully employed during the pandemic.

Yup. I know a couple of guys who drive professionally as well, who love it. To them, it seems to be an interesting mix of enjoying change, the challenges the changes bring, being self sufficient, and enjoying the mechanical aspects of the life. Different strokes for different folks.

"If you love your job, you will never work a day in your life"...

All the best,

Peter

 

[bcp]

Wednesday smoke.

Bruce

 

[Jchonline]

Blancolirio talked about it last night. It is basically because the airports love their just in time fuel deliveries (they can order per day instead of keeping more stored on hand). This is the way society has gone. One little hiccup and supply chain crumbles.

 

[bcp]

Thursday morning smoke

Bruce

 

[bcp]

Friday smoke

Bruce

 

[bcp]

Saturday morning smoke

Bruce

 

[Diggin It]

^^^ "5,198.11 KB (5,322,861 bytes)"

Over 5Mb, and 2400 x 2400 pixels.


Try selecting the lower resolution versions.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

That one down by Yosemite looks to be a pretty smoky one. Thanks to the drought, none of the fires are putting out much smoke for their size, but then if it weren't so dry the fires wouldn't be that big.

 

[bcp]

^^^ "5,198.11 KB (5,322,861 bytes)"

Over 5Mb, and 2400 x 2400 pixels.


Try selecting the lower resolution versions.

Saturday mid-day smoke. Does this work better for size?

Bruce

 

[bcp]

Sunday morning smoke

Bruce

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Wow, the Calgary Stampede is getting smoked out! That's this weekend.

 

[bcp]

Monday morning

Bruce

 

[ponytug]

Wow! Great teamwork, and great thinking by the new neighbor.

I was working at home many years ago on a hot still day, and there was a loud crack, followed by a crash. An 18" limb had exploded off of a tree next to the house. As it was explained to me later, it isn't that uncommon under hot, still conditions for too much water to go up a tree trunk and hydraulically explode it. (The sugar in the leaves/needles draws up so much water that everything swells if there isn't enough of a breeze to evaporate some water. Explosion by osmosis.)

All the best,

Peter

 

[bcp]

Tuesday morning

Bruce

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Smoke and clouds, pretty much overlaying. I wonder if the smoke particulates are seeding the clouds? It's supposed to be cooler here tomorrow, but no clouds. A little shade would be nice.