Still Fire Watching

Taken at 8am this morning - smoke got worse within 1 hour

This morning when we got up, we could not see more than 100 feet out the RV window, the smoke was so thick.  And stink!  We are still not 100% from the bronchitis bouts we had over a month ago and therefore we do not want to go outside until the wind shifts and moves the smoke out of this little valley.  As of this morning's 8am update, the fire has torched over 9000 acres, one fireman has been injured, one cabin has been destroyed.  The fire continues to move north and east, evacuations are still in effect for the area, our campground owner has moved all his cattle back down from the grazing area they took them to last week.  The fire destroyed the north and east fences and with the undergrowth now burnt up, the cattle have nothing to feed on and will also wander into the burnt area.  Yesterday they rounded up all the herd, carted back here.  Concerned now that the land here in the valley won't be able to support the herd, will have to now provide feed to the animals instead of letting them graze.  The cows are so noisy!  We think that the cows may be scared, smelling the smoke.  Talk about bellowing!  Today being July 4th, fireworks are not banned but people are strongly urged not to set them off.  There is a parade at 10am this morning with the typical small town concessions and games and food for the townsfolk.  We were going to go to the parade but don't want to venture out in this smoke.  Hopefully by noon the air will be clean and we can walk to the game area.  I love small towns and this town reminds me of growing up in one, everyone knows everyone and their business.