We lost a lot of ground around Flagstaff this year

[crofter]

...
We are wondering what material is burning and what's in the heavy smoke drifting east currently....

Got a geiger counter?

I don't have one - don't even want to know.
-crofter

 

[crofter]

"....we could have hats..."

Got my t-shirt, it says HOWA, also got one that says RTR. Link to crvl store.
-crofter

https://cheaprvlivingstore.creator-spring.com/?

There is also a mug, stickers, hats, and a tote bag.

 

[highdesertranger]

"Got a geiger counter?"

Yes I do as a matter of fact.

But back on topic. It really doesn't matter if everyone follows rules the shear number of people no matter how clean and neat they are will destroy fragile ecosystems. Sure slobs are a problem and we should do everything we can to educate people on minimum impact. But you can't have 10's of thousands of people converge on an area and not expect consequences.

My 2cents
Highdesertranger

 

[WanderingRose]

Exactly.

It’s the volume that brings in the outliers.

 

[crofter]

.... But you can't have 10's of thousands of people converge on an area and not expect consequences....

So true. I witnessed this as a camp host -so pristine in the campground during the week I was getting it opened in the spring, and then the aftermath of the summer holiday weekend crowds, by Labor Day resembled scorched earth.

Natural areas can recover in time though, that is the reason FS uses closures. In the case of really intense damage nature will not be able to recover. At Mount Hood burn area, the fire was intense enough to kill the underground roots: think trilliums and lady slippers, wild rhododendron and blackberry, old growth douglas firs even which can usually survive anything.
-crofter

 

[MrNoodly]

It seems a lot of people go out in the boonies specifically to do the s#*t they couldn't get away with doing at home.

 

[wayne49]

Update on that fire, via Flightradar24 I could see fire fighting aircraft looping in Area 18.
GPS: 37.111026981042365, -116.36590152388914
Interesting crater in satellite view at that location.

 

[crofter]

Link to article about the 2020 fire season, has data on climate change and extreme weather patterns which were a major factor, but also human causes were factored in. Says that 2020 was the hottest year yet.
-crofter

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=6629651002db435d9df188003d790847

 

[crofter]

Update on that fire, via Flightradar24 I could see fire fighting aircraft looping in Area 18.
GPS: 37.111026981042365, -116.36590152388914
Interesting crater in satellite view at that location.

That fire is listed on one site at 3,000 acres, but not on the inciweb yet. Link to inciweb.
-crofter
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/accessible-view/

Link to article on "cherrywood" fire.
https://www.ktnv.com/news/wildfire-burning-at-the-nevada-national-security-site

 

[jimindenver]

HDR

The cats out of the bag so to speak.

 

[maki2]

Burn ban for fiewood and charcoal fires was posted in the Flagstaff forest areas a couple of days ago. I am not that into building camp fires for myself when solo camping although I do sometimes show up when invited to them.

I heard thebranger stopped by the group campsite while I was in town. But I have not yet heard what he talked about. My guess would be making sure everyone knows there is now a burn ban in effect. I already knew about it from the lighted sign board that was beside the road leaving Flagstaff and heading west on hwy 180. I passed by it yesterday on my way back from errands in town.

Got my packages mailed out today. Then stopped in at Joann Fabrics and got a few yards of white marine vinyl. I am going to make a custom fitted, exterior, sun shade for the windshield of my car. It has been on my project list for a while. Fortunately the store was not too busy as it was not the weekend. I was able to get a 40% off coupon to reduce the cost.

 

[MotorVation]

I think it's hilarious when people who are making money on YouTube and the spillage from it complain when people actually do what they're recommending. LOL!!!! I can't get enough!!

 

[MGfromBC]

Reaction ferries, with a capacity of 2 cars or 1 truck, help reduce crowding.  This is one of 5 operated by the British Columbia government and I expect to be on it next week.  This is one of two that cross the Fraser River but I'm not telling which one and I didn't invite anyone and I'm not going to have a fire.  In one 12 hour period this week BC had 995 lightening strikes.  Don't need my help.

 

[user 30781]

Campfires.

I was living out in the boonies in North Idaho for a while. Hippies, drum circles, that sort of thing. One year we had a strict no outdoor burning order. Can't have a drum circle without a bonfire! So we took gallon glass jars, put some sand in the bottom and a plumber's candle in each one and stacked them up as you would for a champagne fountain. We had so many jars stacked that it looked like a campfire.

So the (very unpleasant) neighbor calls the cops who had to come out 18 miles from town. I just happened to be by the cabin when they pulled in. Told me we'd been reported for a bonfire. So I walked them out to the drum circle and showed them what we'd done. They laughed and left.

I know you can't carry 20 gallon glass jugs in a van, but you can put smaller candles in smaller jars and it's a not bad substitution if you want to sit around with co-campers and chat. There's just something about a campfire, even if it's not a real campfire.

 

[user 423]

I think it's hilarious when people who are making money on YouTube and the spillage from it complain when people actually do what they're recommending. LOL!!!! I can't get enough!!

....They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

 

[G0ldengirl68]

I think it's hilarious when people who are making money on YouTube and the spillage from it complain when people actually do what they're recommending. LOL!!!! I can't get enough!!

I think it was inevitable youtube or not, just my opinion.  People are desperate to escape, I kind of feel that way.  In fact I did a lot of escaping since I was very young.  I camped in my car when I was in my 50s, and I sure would have loved to hear of other folks like myself that were somewhat camping together so I didn't have to be alone driving and driving looking for God only knows what for sure.  Those videos help me a lot and what I've learned I can do if I want, or have to.  If people are making some money sharing their stories, experience, and really, how to survive in this sicko world, I sure don't begrudge them.

 

[MotorVation]

....They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

Hopefully not. That's what we're paying the USDA, Forest service, BLM etc to protect.

That said, I've been around quite a few popular sites. It's been my experience that the locals are responsible for a whole lot of the damage. Thousands and thousands of nomads living in a van? Maybe, but if so, they're pretty well spread out. Most of the dispersed sites I've camped are by far populated with RV's and not cheap ones. I'm always the outnumbered by FAR. I've seen one other van where I'm camped right now. One.

I've said it before and now I'm going to say it again. Anyone remember bell bottoms?

 

[bullfrog]

^^^I flared out a pair of my fatigues and I wasn't in the Navy, does that count. Didn't upset the first sargent near as much as my AIR FORCE ribbon I Had changed to AIR FARCE which he didn't notice for months! Airman of the month I was! When we did details we could remove our shirts I always made sure to wear my big Micky Mouse waving hi tee shirt 1969 was a tough year for me and him!

 

[G0ldengirl68]

Bell-bottoms are back, since a few, maybe more months ago. The real floppy ones too. I'm not into them this time around

Thank you for you service Bulldog. My oldest brother was Navy and the next was Army.

 

[crofter]

Reaction ferries, with a capacity of 2 cars or 1 truck, help reduce crowding.  This is one of 5 operated by the British Columbia government and I expect to be on it next week.  This is one of two that cross the Fraser River but I'm not telling which one and I didn't invite anyone and I'm not going to have a fire.  In one 12 hour period this week BC had 995 lightening strikes.  Don't need my help.

That's a cool looking boat. Is that a regular thing or is the bridge out?
-crofter

Don't currently have any bell bottoms. I used to have some button up navy wools and practically lived in them.