24,000 acres now. Last night I sat on the tailgate and saw flames crest the top in two spots. Idyllwild has been evacuated, cute little town on the other side. The Tram is closed too. Winds are changing direction, so my spot may be smokier tonight. The actual fire isn't so much to worry about where I am. It's the smoke. No ash this morning, but I did find a small piece of burned wood on the passenger seat. I had the driver side window halfway up and a towel covering the open passenger window. It still found it's way in. <br>I seem to have become more acclimated to the heat. I get in the pool before retiring for the night, though not since the fire. Too much black soot in it. I take a bucket of water and soak a hand towel and my t-shirt. I also have a "cool mat". I sleep with the mat under my legs, the towel on top of my legs, and wear the t-shirt. That's for when night time lows are 95*+. Yes, it does look funny. Good I'm single!<br>Dealing with the heat has a certain mind over matter aspect. Wanting to not be hot is not going to make you be not hot. Other than being sensible and getting out of the sun, drink water, etc., just accept that it's hot. Kinda' like child birth! Go with the flow. On the other hand, I do have a really high pain threshold.<br>This fire reminds me of when Mt St Helens blew her top, with ash on everything. I lived nearby that too at the time.
