Very good, thank you. I don't read enough of these, but this is really, really relevant right now, and no one knows more about this from true experience than you. Can I share the content to a Facebook post and link to your stack to try and get you more audience or something? I feel like more people need to read it ... or if you've already shared it in a FB post, I could share that.
Well written from someone who has walked the walk and felt the fury and sadness of nature at work. So many people here in the upper mid-west are aggrieved at having 3 hazy days. They throw fault at every direction but understand nothing of the processes of wild fire and weather. Sorry for your pain.
I did look on the midwest angst with a little bit of amusement, not that I wish fires or bad air quality on anyone but this has been our reality for years and is largely ignored outside of the west. Also, I feel I have little to complain about when firefighters are dying. It's all very tragic.
Not sure what you are looking for if you leave, but Vancouver Island, BC, has been under rainfall, low misty, almost fog, clouds, persistent S and SE winds (normal this time of year is a NW breeze), for the past two weeks - while Wallow county burned and was shrouded in smoke. This island - It’s a land of mountains, incredibly beautiful inlets and sounds, whales and sea life and birds abound, few people, kind and warm hearted native Americans/Canadians ( also called First Nation people ).
You know, I spent seven years in the Alaska rainforest. It's beautiful but I need the sun. I don't think we will leave, but 2026 has been not so great.
I feel this so deeply. This past decade of sweeping wildfires, and trying to learn to live with suffocating smoke, has changed me. It feels like a constant veil and worry. It's hard to relax when you know the consequences and inevitable arrival of the long season. My dad worked the fires and I remember him packing his gear but times were different. Life goes on and we adapt, but we also consider relocation options, or as I've learned becoming a 6-9 month nomad. Fall use to be a glory season but now it's more of the same. Hoping things improve.
I agree with all of this. Maybe I was oblivious, but in my firefighting days we did not seem to have this many catastrophic fires and while there was smoke, it did not linger for months. I don't want to be a nomad but if there's no winter and heavy smoke all summer, there's no real point.
Where, indeed, do we go from here? The same question, from the same 'here' of unprecedented wildfires but a different geographical 'here' - France. Thank you for writing this, with the inside knowledge you have. Keep safe, and keep hope. That is all we have.
This reads like a prayer—one I needed. Thank you.
Good, glad it hit. Scary times for all. May we all stay safe while the world burns around us.
I agree.
❤️
Very good, thank you. I don't read enough of these, but this is really, really relevant right now, and no one knows more about this from true experience than you. Can I share the content to a Facebook post and link to your stack to try and get you more audience or something? I feel like more people need to read it ... or if you've already shared it in a FB post, I could share that.
Yes! Please do! Thanks.
Well written from someone who has walked the walk and felt the fury and sadness of nature at work. So many people here in the upper mid-west are aggrieved at having 3 hazy days. They throw fault at every direction but understand nothing of the processes of wild fire and weather. Sorry for your pain.
I did look on the midwest angst with a little bit of amusement, not that I wish fires or bad air quality on anyone but this has been our reality for years and is largely ignored outside of the west. Also, I feel I have little to complain about when firefighters are dying. It's all very tragic.
Not sure what you are looking for if you leave, but Vancouver Island, BC, has been under rainfall, low misty, almost fog, clouds, persistent S and SE winds (normal this time of year is a NW breeze), for the past two weeks - while Wallow county burned and was shrouded in smoke. This island - It’s a land of mountains, incredibly beautiful inlets and sounds, whales and sea life and birds abound, few people, kind and warm hearted native Americans/Canadians ( also called First Nation people ).
You know, I spent seven years in the Alaska rainforest. It's beautiful but I need the sun. I don't think we will leave, but 2026 has been not so great.
But I for one hope you and Jerry don’t leave. You guys are part of the natural beauty of the county. More than the hills and canyons.
I feel this so deeply. This past decade of sweeping wildfires, and trying to learn to live with suffocating smoke, has changed me. It feels like a constant veil and worry. It's hard to relax when you know the consequences and inevitable arrival of the long season. My dad worked the fires and I remember him packing his gear but times were different. Life goes on and we adapt, but we also consider relocation options, or as I've learned becoming a 6-9 month nomad. Fall use to be a glory season but now it's more of the same. Hoping things improve.
I agree with all of this. Maybe I was oblivious, but in my firefighting days we did not seem to have this many catastrophic fires and while there was smoke, it did not linger for months. I don't want to be a nomad but if there's no winter and heavy smoke all summer, there's no real point.
Where, indeed, do we go from here? The same question, from the same 'here' of unprecedented wildfires but a different geographical 'here' - France. Thank you for writing this, with the inside knowledge you have. Keep safe, and keep hope. That is all we have.
Wow! I don't think of France as having fires. Please write about this.
I would like to write about this, and have sent you a Substack DM about it.
May it rain. Soon. 🤞
I hope so. Nothing in the forecast.