Seems like somebody slammed the brakes on fire season (DIAL-UP WARNING)

[DemoTex]

Yesterday started very foggy and misty with 38-degrees F and high relative humidities. I have been out here at the lookout for nine straight days (with four more 'til I get into town and into a shower!), and there has been no lightning and no fires on my side of the Newberry Volcano. The USFS radio is very, very quiet.

There is no rain or lightning in the NWS forecast for through 8/19 - but, of course, that could change. There will be a warming trend, but that should be short-lived. Methinks fall is almost here. It sure felt like it the last few mornings.

The most exciting things around here this week were Dr. D's visit Sunday through Tuesday, and a big dust devil in Fort Rock Valley yesterday. Sooooo .. I took some photos:


Yesterday's dust devil 25 miles away in Fort Rock Valley. This dust devil stayed up over 10 minutes.


Cropped version


Sunday morning (8/8) it was 46-degrees here.


The lookout tower from "Nick's Woods."


"Nick's Woods" where he chases deer and squirrels. I'm OK with him in the thinned part of the forest in broad daylight, but any other time is scary.


The Lodgepole pine flagpole.


Yesterday (8/11) morning was foggy and cold (38-degrees F).


The official NWS rain gauge bucket has been dry as a bone for weeks.


The Tree House of the August Moon, lacking a moon.


Nick wants to play.


If you have seen the movie "The Ranger, the Cook, and the Hole in the Sky" - set in the Selway National Forest in 1916 - you might recognize this as the type of flagpole up which actor Sam Elliot hoisted the USFS ranger station flag everyday. The movie is based on a story by Norman Maclean, who also wrote "A River Runs Through It" and "Young Men and Fire."

[WillParkinson]

1. K & R

For amazing pictures.

[leftyclimber]

2. Glad to hear you have a reprieve from the fire

and a visit from Dr. DemoTex. Thanks for the beautiful pictures! (And if you would be so kind, tip a Black Butte Porter for me....)

[DemoTex]

7. Consider the Black Butte Porter a done deal!

Now, may I tip a Red Chair NWPA for anyone?



Or a glass of Volcano's fine red blend?


And to think that I must return to the wasteland of South Carolina in two months ..

[A HERETIC I AM]

3. Well done...

As usual.

Trade ya the temps. Although the much of the country has been going through a heat wave, down here in SW Fl, it has been a typically hot, muggy July and August. Lots of rain the last few weeks, with every afternoon bringing showers.

I'd trade you a 38 degree morning for one of my 88 degree/78% humidity mornings any day.

That face on Nick is classic...as if to say

"Well, what the hell are you waiting for? Do something already!"

[John Q. Citizen]

4. Everything has cooled off and been drenched here in the northern Rockies.

The season has been very small so far and lets hope it lasts.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Early fall?

and the East is scorching...

We are increasingly having weird patterns.

Oh and Nick looks great, happy dog.

[pinboy3niner]

6. Thanks for the update and new pics

It's been cooler in SoCal, too, but I doubt that the hot weather or fire danger are going away for long. Still, it's nice to have a respite, and the firefighters sure needed a break!

Give Nick a scratch for me. :)

[roguevalley]

8. we are drowning in alaska. mama was from lakeview. fort rock

is familiar country

[DemoTex]

9. I know Lakeview well.

I wish I could find my photo files from Goose Lake.

[DemoTex]

11. I found the Goose Lake photo files.

These were taken just south of Lakeview, Oregon, on US-395 on October 12, 2009. Goose Lake was an incredible sight.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear DemoTex...

Ah, great pics as usual...

And I LOVE the one of Nick! That is pure playing stance. Great catch on your part...

I love the blue sky, the dust devil and all the great forest views...

Thanks for sharing...

:hi:

[sufrommich]

12. I've said it before and I'll say it again...

you have one cool job.