Lazy J Bar C

Lazy J Bar C

Friday, June 1, 2012

Wildfire Season In The West

The massive Whitewater-Baldy Complex wildfire burning in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico is over 100 miles from us but we were affected by it Thursday because of the wind blowing the smoke our way. For awhile, I felt like I was back in Los Angeles! There was a health advisory issued for sensitive people and you could smell the smoke and feel it burning your eyes in the afternoon.

Sunrise

Just before 6 A.M. looking south toward the Whetstone Mountains

Early afternoon looking north toward the Rincon Mountains
 
Early afternoon looking north, there really are some mountains in there!

Sunset and the smoke lingers

The good news, for us, is that the wind is supposed to shift tomorrow. Not such good news for El Paso. Some friends of ours have a cattle ranch just to the west of the fire in Arizona. We hope that everyone in the fire area is safe and that the brave firefighters can get this under control soon but it may not happen until the rains come in July. Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

17 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i hate that 'air' that blows in. terrifying and sad.

Joyful said...

Beautiful photos though it is sad that there are fires. I hope everyone will be ok.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Love that last shot. I am your new follower.

My Sky Shot, have a great weekend.

Tombstone Livestock said...

Haven't heard anything this morning about it, last I heard it was zero precent contained, hope they have it better under control by now. Would not have to want to wait 4 to 6 weeks for rain. So sad, because fires are so destructive.

Susan said...

Frightening stuff, wild fires. I hope your friends (and everyone else) is safe. That is some smoke!

Unknown said...

I've been thru that, hack hack, not any fun...

Nancy said...

I have asthma, so I can imagine how tough it must be to breath... hoping your friends stay out of the line of the fire.

Barb said...

I hope for moisture - here in CO, too. The smoke does make the sunrise/sunset photos glorious.

Kateri said...

The haze from the smoke is pretty in photographs--I can't imagine being in place that has wild fires though. Has got to be really scary. I hope you get the moisture you need.

SweetLand Farm said...

Glad you guys are alright. And hope that your friends with the cattle get through the burning alright too.

Carolyn said...

Wildfires freak me out, I'm glad you guys are out of harm's way. Praying that no loss of life occurs and the damage can be minimized.

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Yikes, 100 miles isn't far away as far as I'm concerned! Stay safe! Prayers are with the firefighters and residents till the rains come!!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Stay safe... that last sunset photo is incredible!

Shaun said...

A beautiful series of photos, that last one of the sunset is stunning.
Shaun Valleys ShutterBug

Laura said...

I hope the fire is controlled soon and all goes back to normal for you. Your photos are beautiful.

Tanya Breese said...

i know that smell well...growing up in san diego, every time there was a wild fire we would end up with a pool full of ash...hope they get it under control soon! beautiful sunset!

Marigold said...

But that smoke do make for some pretty sunsets!