Fire Dangers in the West - dead end roads

[TravelingZombies]

We came across wildfires in Montana and Wyoming in the last 2 weeks and passed firecrews in eastern Wyoming near the town buffalo.

 

[crofter]

Thanks for the current on the ground update TZ. Its early but I am posting the inciweb for fires to give dwellers an idea of safer areas for this season.
-crofter

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

 

[jacqueg]

I think safety from fire is going to be a moving target all summer. Stay on your toes.

 

[PineyCruisin]

This is an excellent thread. Being from the east coast, having to track wildfires while traveling is pretty rare.

We were planning on heading to Missoula MT from Spokane but had to totally reroute because of 2 fires on either side of I-90 by Superior. We were not only concerned about the danger of the fire itself but the air quality of the surrounding area from the smoke.

We camped 30minutes north of Spokane and still had 4 hrs of heavy smoke that was bothersome to breath and  burned the eyes.

The National Weather Service has incorporated smoke into their weather forecast and were spot on when the smoke was to arrive and leave.

 

[wayne49]

The Dexter fire is currently burning E of US-395, NE of Mammoth Lakes. Ignited by a lightning strike yesterday. USFS moved all campers east of US-395 along Owens River Rd to the west side of US-395 as a precautionary measure.

Image of the plume was taken west of US-395, north of Crestview Rest Area yesterday after moving across US-395.

 

[vgilbert]

Up near the Dells in Oregon right now and the smoke haze is pretty bad.
For tracking wildfire locations I us an app on my Iphone called My Radar, there is a free slider ad on that gives locations for every reported wildfire in the US

 

[LERCA]

The Western US is in a terrible drought hence the unusual fires. Fires are part of the ecosystem in California and I’d never go off-road in the heat but that’s me. I lost everything in one fire including my dog. You don’t have to hit me in the head twice. We have the best firefighters in the world because they get so much practice. Last time we also had support from Canada, Mexico, and Western states but houses are saved first not vehicles.

 

[lab_nomad]

This is an excellent thread. Being from the east coast, having to track wildfires while traveling is pretty rare.

We were planning on heading to Missoula MT from Spokane but had to totally reroute because of 2 fires on either side of I-90 by Superior. We were not only concerned about the danger of the fire itself but the air quality of the surrounding area from the smoke.

We camped 30minutes north of Spokane and still had 4 hrs of heavy smoke that was bothersome to breath and  burned the eyes.

The National Weather Service has incorporated smoke into their weather forecast and were spot on when the smoke was to arrive and leave.

 I took route 12 out of Missoula to Idaho, and I saw signs advising caution. I saw a bit of smoke. When I got here, everyone was talking about the fires. One of the areas that they may possibly evacuate is a place where I almost booked an airbnb. Glad I didn’t.

 

[wayne49]

Dexter Fire is still ongoing. South of Owens River Rd on the east side of US-395 is again open for camping.

I wondered why a nearby group suddenly disappeared on Friday morning.



Images of the fire taken from the north rim of Deadman Dome near the Deadman Campgrounds west of US-395.



@18:58





@18:59





@19:00

 

[wayne49]

Dexter Fire is still ongoing. South of Owens River Rd on the east side of US-395 is again open for camping.

I wondered why a nearby group had suddenly disappeared on Friday morning.

Images of the Dexter fire taken from a position on the north rim of Deadman Dome, near the Deadman Campgrounds, approximately one minute apart. I was resting on the slope, saw the plume, then randomly decided to capture some images.

 

[WILD@HEART]

Fires all over the West...
It's fire season and it's dry.
And sometimes there are official controlled burns.

Lost a sheared off rear axle recently, tire
rolled past down the road, was able to keep vehicle on pavement on the sketchy ride.
Sparks made axle on fire and also set the side of the road on fire. Gas tank was 1" from scraping pavement.
I was able to put out a little of the fire before the fire dept arrived.
Thank you EMERGENCY services!

ID, AZ, OR, CA, MT and Canadadian fire smoke blowing down into MT, possibly others.

There's so much smoke it dims the sun and makes some close mountains almost disappear and distant one can't be seen at all.

Be safe, Plan ahead.

 

[MGfromBC]

Hi,

I'm up here in BC planning a trip that only involves destinations with more than one way out and have a body of water close by. Water bombers have had to stop at a few locations because of drones flying in the area. In other places they have had to send out police in boats to clear boats out of the way on lakes so they can refill. I guess their weight limits don't allow guns on the planes. They'd probably only have to use them a few times.

On the other hand, the small airport about 2 miles from my home was closed today so that emergency responders could practice with jets on the field. There was a CF 18 Hornet and the Snowbirds, Canada's Aerobatic Team, practicing above the airport, and my house. I wonder if 10 low flying jets, in formation, with a sonic boom, would clear the lake?

MG