As you can see, we’re having an extreme drought now. So in addition to watering like mad, Andy is starting to assemble the firewood rack we ordered last January.
When it’s finished the wood pile on the porch will be moved to at least 50 feet away from the house as part of our defensible space for wildfires.
April 8, 2018
YES. as you say. contingency plans!
they’re very important. we will cross everything.
it just can’t happen again. I don’t even want to imagine it.
we’re also dry.
haven’t seen the actual view like yours.
only going by what the meteorologists say.
Here’s the map for OK.
Fire is a natural part of the ecosystem — the reason our fire was so bad was because humans had/have suppressed it so long. Now they’re trying to reduce the fuel load by controlled burning so the fires will be less intense and less devastating. We would like to have trees around the house, but it’s not a wise thing to do, especially because the Forest Service has closed Andy’s old emergency escape routes. It is what it is, so if worse comes to worse Andy can shelter in place and be all right.
good to put in contingency plans…it’s been so changeable here, that some rain seems drip upon us at some point during the day. Often quite unexpected…
One has to be prepared. 🙂
Good thinking! A burn break is a handy thing to have.
Before the fire we had a 25-foot cleared area around the house and thinned the trees outside of that. It might have been enough except for the wind and the fire being so intense. Here are a few pictures.
This spring has been cool and wet—welcome conditions for us! It can become dry anytime it’s windy and warm for a few days, even in April. So it’s catch 22 for us…we love the warmth, but not the drought!
Is the drought fairly recent? Historically your area tended to be rainy? Or am I wrong?
I wish both of you all the best so that a fire is avoided.
Thank you.