FIRE SEASON 2013

************************************************************************

SMOKED SALMON

Salmon Fishing 'Rail Hole'
Rogue River

Smoke rising from the newly ignited
Whiskey Complex Fire
July 27, 2013

As the final days of salmon season approached for those fishing the Upper Rogue River it wasn't just the heat and lack of fish that made the day frustrating.  A sudden dirty gray cloud appearing up river and the increase in air traffic was cause enough to stop and take notice.  Perhaps I should clarify the "air traffic".   I am not referring to airplanes but to the various birds, flocks actually, that decided it was time to fly down river.  In addition to the two Bald Eagles that live in the area there was a large number of geese and even one EXTREMELY large Golden Eagle.





 

By late Saturday afternoon the smoke was starting to make its way down river.
Fire was started at some point on Friday by lightning strikes.

Bald Eagle checking out the local fishing hole

With eight trips this summer to the Upper Rogue River I have been fortunate enough to see at least one if not both of the two Bald Eagles who nest in the area on every trip.  It has been amazing to watch the two of them, especially when they decide to toy with the many Osprey in the area.  Ospreys may talk the talk but when it comes to a mid-air dance the Baldies take the lead.  This past Sunday was especially facinating as four of us standing on the river bank were witness to the Golden Eagle that also decided it was time to head out of the area.  I have seen a handful of Goldens before but never one so close and definitely never one so large.  The Golden swooped down over the bank roughly 20-30 feet over our heads.  While I am not the best judge of distance I base this  on the fact I was standing at the edge of the river and he flew above me but below the highway guard rail. 

This year July 31st not only marked the end to another fishing season it sparked what has been a month long battle with numerous forest fires in our area as well as the surrounding states.  Fires are grouped into "Complexes" which represent certain areas or regions being affected.  Within each complex there are multiple fires burning.  At last count Southern Oregon had at least five different complexes with the total number of fires in excess of 30.  Fortunately they are all at least an hour away. And while that is reassuring from a danger perspective it really has ruined the month of August and the end of my summer plans.

















These first pictures are from the first full day of the fire on my drive home from the river.  Have to admit, the smoke creates some interesting sunsets.





Air quality in the valley is dramatically affected during fire season.  Last year for example we had a few weeks with mixed days of mild smoke.  The smoke was mostly from Northern California fires and a few in Southern Idaho.  This year it has been significantly worse with fires in those areas as well as so many in Southern Oregon.  One last picture on the trip home.  The sky behind me was quickly filling up with smoke.

It's simple really.

No rain = things dry out....really dry out.
Things dry out = good kindling  (trees, brush, grass, etc..)
Thunderstorms on the other side of the mountains = lightning
Lightning = good way to create sparks
Sparks + Kindling = Fires
Fires = Smoke
Three mountain ranges converging on each other (ie: The Rogue Valley) =
A good way to trap in smoke
Trapped Smoke = Might as well hold my head over a fire barrel!

yep, thar be mountains somewhere out there!

Fortunately, fire season is a lot like hurricane season.
You know it can happen,
you know the time of year,
you wait for it,
you hope it doesn't,
 it doesn't get bad all too often,
but when it does,
you take a deep breath (while still inside the house)
and just hold it for a few weeks.

The following pictures are from the last few weeks traveling to and from work and around town.

truck radio antena
mountains in the distance

the foothills just a quarter mile ahead.....
world famous pear orchards on each side of the road....
may daily drive home from work

None of these photos have been altered....simply my i-phone at work again.

With salmon season over, I had planned a rafting trip down the Rogue for August.  Needless to say that was rescheduled, twice....then just cancelled all together.  Maybe next year.  Last summer we went over 87 days without rain.  This year we've had just a few days of rain.  Seriously, just a few days.  And there in lies the problem.  A few days is just enough to spark lightning and create one heck of a mess.  

At the end of the day, I was a little frustrated to have not caught a salmon my last day.  It would have been nice to have had it already smoked by the time I drove home.

enjoy,

bkd

Two songs for your enjoyment.  Note:  I do NOT own any copywrites to the following songs or videos.  Simply borrowed them from YouTube.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4a40FjB_sM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLZm8Avo6iQ

It isn't necessary to imagine the world ending in fire or ice. There are two other possibilities: one is paperwork, and the other is nostalgia.
Frank Zappa 

*************************************************************************