Dog Days

 

After a long cool spring, waiting to see what summer would bring, we are now in the Find Out portion of climate change.

The past week has been high temps, usually only seen in mid-late August.  Yesterday the wildfire situation 'exploded' and the province now has over 300 active wildfires.

Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

I'm staying indoors as much as possible.  So far we haven't had too much smoke pall, but that could change as we enter mid-30s for temps.  Or about 96F.  The bush, already fragile from drought is ripe to be set ablaze if we get another string of t-storms like we did yesterday.  Last year we had about 500 active wildfires by the end of the season.  It's only mid-July and we are already at 300.

For anyone not used to wildfire smoke, a mask is highly recommended.  Wildfire smoke in the density it has been arriving the past few years is very damaging to the lungs.  Not to mention the spike in Covid cases.  In the past month I know more than a few people who have caught Covid  - and the news out of Convergence is...concerning.

We bought a hepa filter a few years ago, not just because of Covid, but because of the increasing numbers of wildfires and smoke filled days.  Looks like that was a good call as things seem to be getting only worse, not better.  And, if the right wing folk get into positions of power, any and all mitigations for climate change will cease - until there is no more petroleum to pump out of the ground.  

In the meantime, I stay indoors as much as possible, wear a mask whenever I leave the house, use the a/c during the day and open the windows to cool the house at night - at least until we get wildfire smoke.

I finished the first article for one place yesterday and today I will write a cover letter, then package up the samples and get them into the mail.  Once that has been done, it will be time to begin processing the samples for the second article.  Since both articles are deep dives at their respective topics, it has been a challenge to cover the ground adequately, and show enough samples to 'prove' the premise.  I hope.  If nothing else, maybe it will stir others to thinking about the topic(s) beyond the 'accepted wisdom'.  TBD.

In the meantime, I think cool thoughts, drink cold drinks, try to stay hydrated, and keep weaving as best I can.