1. If you weren’t able to tune in to last night’s community presentation about the Creek Fire, you can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/townofmammothlakes/videos/685327858759647
  2. Its been reported by other media sources that the Creek Fire has burned over 220,000 acres.
  3. Great Basin Monitoring had extremely hazardous air quality conditions for Mammoth the past few days. It appears that best air quality is around the noon hour. See:  https://www.gbuapcd.org/cgi-bin/tabularViewer?siteName=AirVision/Mammoth%20Lakes
  4. For up to date information on the Creek Fire, go online to:  https://on.mono.ca.gov/creekfire

 

Discussion:

Although our air-mass remains unseasonably warm, little in the way of anomalous warmth is reaching the surface in many areas of Mono County. The reason? Smoke. Smoke has extensively limited he incoming solar radiation. Areas under thick smoke, especially the Sierra Nevada are running more than 5 degrees cooler than forecasted.  The smoke will provide for hazy skies once again today across much of
our region.  Light winds will prevail until the ridge of high pressure weakens and shifts eastward, or by Thursday when a low pressure system begins to moves inland over the Pacific
Northwest.  This pattern change will usher in the first fall air of the season. Temperatures are expected to be 5 to 10 degrees cooler through the weekend.

Of concern to everyone, are the winds that are expected to develop Thursday into Friday. According to the NWS,  there appears to be two critical time frames for winds. They are expected to be during the afternoons primarily and last for some 3 to 6 hours each. The strongest winds according to the models are expected Friday with a bit more westerly direction.  They could gust upwards to  40 mph. Winds will diminish Friday night.

Of note, I have heard from reliable sources, that there is a large area of Granite between the fire and Mammoth Lakes. It is hoped that this area of granite acts as a barrier to help mitigate or slow down the effects of the fire.

Other Thoughts:

In speaking with a fireman earlier today, I has asked him questions like, how can one prevent flying embers from starting fires on my property.  Well,  he told me that we are all supposed to create a defensible space around our dwelling. If that has been done, then here are a couple of other thoughts.  If you burn with wood, and wood is stacked on a deck, there are fire resistant tarps that one can purchase and cover a wood pile with.  Also, be aware of vents coming out of a home. It is known that embers can fly into vents, and catch fire in an attic.

Dr Howard and the Dweebs………………….:-)