Using geomac.gov

Yes, there is a small trick to using geomac.gov. To see the hot spots picked up by satellite you have to turn them on.
Steps:
1. Go to geomac.gov
2. Scroll into the area you want to see. Don't get too close or the hot spots will not show up when you click them.
3. Click the box called Data Layers. A menu will show below the Data Layers button.
4. Click the triangle in front of Active Fires. Another menu will show below that.
5. Click the box in front of MODIS and HMS
Tah Dah! The hot spots will come up.
I also turn on the Street Map under Base Data.
Then I click the Data Layers box to make the menu go away.
You can see the fires anywhere in the US and Canada.

Welcome to my world,  Frontier Woman @ frontierlivingtoday.blogspot.com

Winds have changed

The fire jumped last night. It is much closer to the east end of the valley. The county called and put us on a level 3 evacuation notice. That means get ready and leave if you want. I think the southeast end of the valley may be at a higher level. On geomac.gov the fire appears to be about 2 miles from that part of the valley. We are not in harms way at the moment.
The winds were from the south yesterday. Last night they moved to the west and so are blowing a more easterly path for the fire which is good for the valley. There are homes still in the path, but fewer, I think. The fire has already burned where I know there are homes. I have not heard what has been burned or saved. I pray the people are safe!

We have a horse trailer and are available to move animals a short distance. There has not been a place set up to take animals, so those needing to move animals need to have a predetermined destination. They should also move some feed for the animals too. If you know someone needing help with animals, have them call the general store in the valley. I will not post phone numbers on the net.

Welcome to my world,  Frontier Woman @ frontierlivingtoday.blogspot.com

Update for August

Hi everyone,
There has been a lot going on and I have sadly neglected my blogs. So to catch up:
Our boxer was not pregnant.
The wild horses still come by occasionally. There are two babies.

The summer has been a hot one and up to now, there has not been excitement around here, just lots to do.

What is the excitement you ask? Fire nearby. We have taken some pictures and hope that a small update might help our neighbors who are trying to find out more about the fire.
We are in the middle of 4 fires. The first one north of us is not a concern for us, but we have friends in the Oroville area. This fire is east of Oroville and seems scattered. It looks like it is getting put out.
The second one Northeast of us is past Republic and is a large, hot fire. It is named Stickpin and is maybe 20 miles away as the crow flies. The wind is blowing it away from us for now.
The third one just showed up today and is about 25 miles west of us. It is in a populated area, a small resort town named Conconully.
The one closest to us is Southeast of us and named Northstar. The wind today has been blowing the smoke right to us and the fire is of course burning in our direction, too. It is about 10 miles away. Ash has been falling around the valley. I found some as it fell and it looks like burned moss.
The winds are expected to change to southwest for the next 24 hours, pushing the fire in another direction. Not towards us, but maybe towards the east end of the valley. After that, the winds will come from the north and will hopefully push the fire back on itself and help put it out. Rains are expected but with lightning. One of those good new / bad news things.
Here are some pictures from today.
The map shows the valley and the fires surrounding it.

 Here is a picture to the south of the smoke as it covers our house. You can see the mountains to the south. Most of today we could not see them at all.

 Here is a picture of the smoke looking almost north. The sun is lighting up the inside of the smoke to an orange glow. Looks like fire in the sky.