My Poor Forest

When we were at the cabin in June, it was dry, dry, dry. Not unusual for that time of year, but the stream was running lower than normal: way lower than normal. Unfortunately, it hasn't changed. No rain has fallen since early June, the snowpack is already melted, and with the high winds, the forest floor continues to dry out.

Add to that people and electric lines, and conditions are nicely set up for a forest fire. There's already been one fire up the canyon, caused by a downed power line. Fortunately, the fire chief came upon it rather quickly and was able to assemble the volunteer fire crew in time to take down the fire before it spread very far.

Another fire has been burning for a week outside Santa Fe. Although it is no threat to our cabin, it is too close. The plumes of smoke from the fire are readily visible up the canyon, and one errant wind from the wrong direction could send the fire up over the ridge and down into our side. The meteorologists are not predicting that to happen . . . I hope they are right.

In the meantime, the Forest Service has closed the forest. That means people who have cabins may go to their cabins but they cannot take walks up the roads or in the hills. They can't go fishing nor can they gather and have get-togethers. That means the July 4th celebration that has been held since 1959 (with the exception of 2000 when the forest closed) will be canceled for the second time. It is very sad, but it is better to be safe than sorry. We cannot risk a fire.

It is a grim time in the mountains. We are doing a rain dance on a daily basis, and the meteorologists actually have put rain in the forecast next weekend. That would be a good thing.