fire bans?

[Bill n Robi]

A lot of Calif campgrounds already have fire bans in place. We don't use an open fire because of Robi's asthma but even the 'lil red campfire is banned because of open flame. However, I cook with a GMG pellet grill/smoker, runs on 12 volts, was blessed by rangers last year as ok to use when all other fires were forbidden. Had them sign my campfire permit and keep that with me for any future issues. Not sure if other states will agree but it is safe to use, lose power and it dies in minutes.

[noseoil]

In Arizona there are bans in effect for now, at least until the summer rains start. Yesterday in Tucson it was 115 officially (115 nearer our place), with 4% humidity. Any fires that start grow too quickly & the winds push them in different directions. Our fire season is going this year with several around the state.

[GPW]

Another reason to bring the Solar Cooker ... http://www.solarcooking.org http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Cate ... oker_plans

[Dale M.]

No open fires in most of Calif, even open welding requires a permit (in country) .... I don't weld outside or use grinder outside becasue of sparks (we live in sierras foot hills) and am extremely careful with riding mower.... We are in area with so many dead trees if it goes up its going to be like a bomb went off...

Dale

[doug hodder]

Lots of trees up here dead as well Dale. The drought and bugs have really taken their toll. Fires are still allowed for us, but one of my favorite campgrounds was closed down till 7/1 because a squirrel tested positive for the plague. Doug

[doug hodder]

Beetle kill is out of control here. I've got a neighbor that is having nearly 30 trees taken down. I took one down already that was sick....175' high. Firs are also getting hit by a bug as well. That's what mine was. There are huge areas being hit and the drought is stressing them so they are more likely to get bugs. I had a cedar crown come down and punch the roof on the house in Feb. So I've got that tree to split up as well. The upside is....I'm fixed for wood for the next couple of years. Doug

[Dale M.]

Latest number is estimated 66 million trees.... We have lost over half of our Ponderosa pines and more to come... And a lot of lower elevation oaks are distressed, they get weak, mistletoe takes over and both tree and parasite die...

Dale

[Catherine+twins]

Our forests in northern New Mexico show as High Fire Danger, but that is due to standing dead wood from previous forest fires and bark beetle kill. The ground itself is fairly moist, so fires are allowed in improved campgrounds with fire pits. This is the first summer in YEARS that we haven't had full on fire bans in the national forest campgrounds! Monsoons should start soon and further reduce the danger.

Catherine

[jstrubberg]

Y'all are welcome to come hang out in the soggy Midwest. More than enough humidity here to allow campfires.