Ugh! Smoke from all the wildfires covers Portland today

[Tom Kitten]

No one I talked to today has ever remembered a day like today in Portland. The winds shifted to from the east and smoke covered the area. The smell of burning filled the air. Unhealthy air alerts in some ares. Plus it was 87 today. I hope this isn't the new normal.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I hope not too, my dear Tom Kitten...

I do suspect that eventually the fires will be put out........but it might be a while.

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this!

[Tom Kitten]

2. Thanks, Peggy

I appreciate your concern but here it's a comparatively minor annoyance...unless it lasts and people start having health problems because of it. Tomorrow might be better, but who knows how blows the winds of fate?

I'm concerned about the people in the paths of these fires, over 90 homes destroyed in Oregon and Washington. Two of my best friends live in Canyon City, they didn't have to evacuate but the fire came within a mile of their house. With the heat, and the smoke, battling these fires must be like fighting hell on earth.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. The fire crews are really stretched thin right now.

I am worried about the folks in the fire's path too.

[Tom Kitten]

4. Washington put out a general call for volunteers

Which is unprecedented. Over 3000 people have responded! I hope and pray for their safety. Obama has declared the NW fires a federal emergency. Since some of them (including the biggest one the Canyon Creek fire) were caused by lightning strikes I think it would be worthy of a disaster declaration.

I'm reminded of this TV miniseries that came out in 1992 called "The Fire Next Time" that took place in the future (2017), dealing with drought, wildfires, hurricanes, tropical diseases society breaking down, people moving north to Canada, weird cults arising...that sort of stuff. The star, Craig Nelson (remember "Coach"?) has all this stuff happen to him and his family and yet still thinks global climate change is absurd. That film, although hokey in places, seems kinda sentient now.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. It sure does!

[Warren DeMontague]

6. Yeah, I woke up today with a sore throat and a headache.

Looked out the window and was like "Oh, that explains it".

It was bad.

[alfredo]

7. It looks like LA on a pre EPA day.

[Binkie The Clown]

8. It's just as bad down here in Eugene too. n/t

[NCarolinawoman]

9. Really sorry about this. It is horrible!

I have several relatives who live there. Good people.

I'm concerned about EVERYONE and every creature living in that entire area. People on the East Coast and other places feel totally helpless when we see the news and what is going on.