LONG WEEK

This will be a rather boring post, but it will help explain why I haven't had anything to say for awhile. Last Saturday afternoon we had a series of dry lightning storms come through our area. Since then we have been surrounded by fires and mostly smoke. There are 31 fires in Butte County, hundreds throughout the state. Governor Schwarznegger has declared our county a disaster area and is applying for federal support. There are firefighters from as far away as Colorado trying to help put the fires out. The problem is that the smoke is so thick there is low visibility. They are unable to use any helicopters or tankers and the fires are in tough terrain to get to on foot. The air quality hit a "dangerous" level this afternoon with a number of 340. This morning it was rated as hazardous and was measured between 500-600. It is normally about 10. Needless to say it is ugly outside and they are recommending indoor activities only. Swim lessons were cancelled for my kids this week as was summer school. It is hard to entertain kids inside when all they want to do is go out. Chris Dunlap and I took them to Chuck E. Cheese on Tuesday and we have had friends over and gone to friends' houses. I painted the kitchen last night, but had to keep windows closed. Cole has been at encampment. He was supposed to come home on Saturday but we just got a call that he will be home tonight--they are packing up early! The scout camp at Butte Meadows where they usually go had to be evacuated on Tuesday--about 400 boy scouts! We have fires here every summer--job security for Rob, but usually not until August or September. There is a new evacuation in Magalia tonight which is just up the Skyway above Paradise. This will be a long summer!