If you have been outside lately, you have probably noticed there is a distinct mesquite-y smell in the air. Due to the unexpected antics of Zeus this past weekend and other less natural causes, much of California has been blanketed in smoke for the past few days. This means taking a walk, or just breathing in general, might not be the best idea, but boy are the sunsets pretty.There are about 800 wildfires burning in California so far and the fire season is still yawning and stretching it's limbs for the main event later in the brutal heat of July and August. So be careful if you are out in the hills, or anywhere really. A carelessly tossed cigarette, your beloved, backfire prone jalopy, or a ill conceived 4th of July fireworks display are often all it takes to start an epic blaze. And while it is their job, I'm sure the firefighters who have been run ragged these past few weeks wouldn't mind a couple days off.
Perhaps he is a bit of a relic, but Smokey the Bear's words of wisdom still ring true: Only you can prevent forest fires. Okay, so maybe that's not entirely true seeing as you haven't the power to harness or control lightning, but outside of that...
posted by jw
