# 2021 US West drought and wildfire thread
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [June 10, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991 "2021-06-10T18:17:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 13
### Author:  [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/241 "2021-09-06T17:13:42Z")
How’s the valley and the lake right now? I mean is it all covered in ash?
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### Author:  [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/242 "2021-09-07T14:56:34Z")
There have been outbreaks of blue-green algae all over around here. Not good for trout and our swimming dogs.
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### Author:  [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/243 "2021-09-07T18:21:32Z")
It has been widely reported in Arizona that there are fewer hummingbirds this year. The reason I was looking into this is because despite our yard having flowering plants, water and feeders, I am seeing about half the hummers we are used to. In summers past, we were feeding half a gallon of syrup a day this time of the year. This summer it’s closer to half a gallon a week.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/244 "2021-09-08T05:11:41Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#):
>
> …, I am seeing about half the hummers we are used to…
Geez, I’d kill for a 1/3! 😉
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### Author:  [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2021, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/245 "2021-09-08T05:26:19Z")
We moved into this place 4 years ago, so I’m still working on the garden. I’m trying to tell myself that the hummers aren’t using as much syrup because they are playing in the flowers, but I’m really not seeing them.
I’m also missing Praying Mantis, Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies and blue tailed Skinks. The bird population has changed somewhat as well, the Turkey Buzzards are fairly rare this year and I used to enjoy watching them making kettles over the desert. I haven’t seen that this year and its just about time for them to be flocking up and flying south.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2021, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/246 "2021-09-08T05:32:37Z")
I read your posts, and have to remind myself _you are talking about birds!_
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### Author:  [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2021, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/247 "2021-09-08T23:28:14Z")
Caldor Fire is 50% contained now, and Lake Tahoe residents are being allowed back.
The Sierra in general and Tahoe in particular are like my most favorite places on earth. This is heart-breaking – it feels like when Notre Dame burned – but it looks like at least the Tahoe basin is spared, this time.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/248 "2021-09-09T18:15:09Z")
> [@jsc1953](#):
>
> Caldor Fire is 50% contained now
Gonna have Red Flag winds starting this evening, so this figure may change, although they claim to have the perimeter fully contained. I couldn’t possibly see how, but that what they say.
The rain predicted for this afternoon have been pushed back to overnite.
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### Author:  [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2021, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/249 "2021-09-09T18:23:39Z")
Yeah. I heard them say “dry lightening” as well. That does not sound good to me. At all. The danger is not over yet, by a long shot.
I hope you and family are doing OK thru all this.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2021, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/250 "2021-09-09T18:49:45Z")
> [@snowthx](#):
>
> I hope you and family are doing OK thru all this.
Thanks! Think Snow! It’s not too soon.
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### Author:  [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2021, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/251 "2021-09-11T14:19:53Z")
Smoke-free air in southern Oregon today! 😃 First time in weeks!
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### Author:  [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2021, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/252 "2021-09-11T15:00:43Z")
Good news! We got a very light mist yesterday that knocked the particulates down enough for us to air the house.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2021, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/253 "2021-09-12T14:14:45Z")
Caustic, CA:
> **[Correction: Western Wildfires story](https://apnews.com/article/fires-environment-and-nature-california-weather-wildfires-f7c21368ec324ca393f60965a9f73c4c)**
>
> In a story published September 12, 2021, about California wildfires, The Associated Press erroneously reported that U.S. Highway 50 is a state route.
> [@](#):
>
> The fire, known as the Route Fire, reached 392 acres, or a little more than half a square mile, as of 6:28 p.m. and forced the shutdown of a section of Interstate 5, the Angeles National Forest told KTLA-TV.
>
> KTLA reported that the Route Fire is threatening structures, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Santa Clarita Valley station.
>
> The fire was uncontained as of 6:30 p.m., authorities said.
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### Author:  [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/254 "2021-09-13T15:45:38Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#):
>
> Caustic, CA:
Not sure if you meant to do that, or spell checker made the adjustment. Seems sorta accurate. Sorta.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/255 "2021-09-13T16:11:56Z")
Ah, synchronicity: how I love thee. 😃
I didn’t notice it or I would have corrected it.
Here’s an update:
> **[Correction: Western Wildfires story](https://apnews.com/article/fires-environment-and-nature-california-weather-wildfires-f7c21368ec324ca393f60965a9f73c4c)**
>
> In a story published September 12, 2021, about California wildfires, The Associated Press erroneously reported that U.S. Highway 50 is a state route.
> [@](#):
>
> Officials said the fire was about 63% contained Sunday, adding that firefighters made progress overnight with the help of water-dropping aircraft and an aggressive ground attack, Mitchell said.
>
> He said crews would take advantage of the beginning of a cooling trend Sunday to build containment lines.
>
> The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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### Author:  [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/256 "2021-09-14T16:01:03Z")
And now there’s a fire in Sequoia National Park and the park is closed. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in the Mineral King and Three Rivers areas.
[California’s largest trees threatened by fire in Sequoia National Park](https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/California-s-largest-trees-threatened-by-fire-in-16457762.php)
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [September 18, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/257 "2021-09-18T19:58:11Z")
Still threatened:
> **[California wildfires make run toward giant sequoia groves](https://apnews.com/article/fires-environment-and-nature-forests-california-environment-43cae98d06ca3c3e299fae24998f0928)**
>
> THREE RIVERS, Calif. (AP) — Two lightning-sparked wildfires in California merged and made a run to the edge of a grove of ancient sequoias, momentarily driving away firefighters as they try to protect the world's largest tree by wrapping its base in...
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/258 "2021-10-21T17:21:14Z")
Good news, everyone!
> **[Fire that threatened Lake Tahoe region is now 100% contained](https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-fires-california-south-lake-tahoe-2624a27d6dcbb9c88417333cdd676ba6)**
>
> SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — The 2-month-old California wildfire that threatened the Lake Tahoe resort region over the summer has been declared 100% contained, officials said. The fire, which scorched more than 346 square miles (896 square...
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### Author:  [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/259 "2021-10-21T17:24:12Z")
Plus…it’s raining! (Any rain in California is a good thing, and rain in October is unusual.) So I would imagine that any active fires are going to soon change from “Contained” to “Out”.
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### Author:  [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991/260 "2021-10-21T17:24:31Z")
Relief (of a sort) is on its way…
> **[Atmospheric river storms to soak Bay Area, Northern California — biggest in 9...](https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/10/19/atmospheric-river-storms-to-soak-bay-area-northern-california-biggest-in-9-months/)**
>
> The storms are forecast to bring the most rain to the Bay Area since January.
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