Thursday 6 August 2009

Rain!

I don't remember the last time I've seen people this happy to see rain. Last night, some rain clouds rolled in and put down about a quarter of an inch of the wet stuff onto our badly dried home. Given in the last month, we had rain that was measured in the hundredths of inches, this is a significant amount. Hopefully, it'll allow the firefighters to make headway at our billion and a half fires (well, it seems like there's that many), or at least work on the Hardluck Creek fire.

And it wasn't a moment too soon. Yesterday night was, bar none, the worst smoke of any night. Visibility was as low as 25 yards in places, and became just unbearable. The air quality in places was Hazardous, or 6 on a 6 point scale. From the borourgh's website, Hazardous air quality is "Heath warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be effected. Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors."

Now I've breathed air worse than Mexico city's air (which is really, really bad; it's known internationally for being some of the worst air anywhere), and I'm convinced, up down left and right, that yesterday evening topped even that.

2 comments:

flying fish said...

Never thought I'd wish for rain in S.E. Alaska, but I'm envious of your 1/4 inch. We've had less than an inch since April. I hope your air is breathable again?

dragonfly said...

I'm supposed to fly out to Anchorage tonight, but flights yesterday were cancelled due to ash/poor visibility. It's looking better for today. Wish me luck!


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