Drought for the west

[hank4elk]

34 and better than the 18 predicted. And the 40mph+ winds are gone this morning, heading to 70's today. 80 by Thurs.
Maybe my early apricot buds will make it. Blooming 2 months early. Same with plums.
Very dry, dust clouds should depart. Some wildfires going, but nothing close.

80's is June weather. Gotta cut a big branch off the pinion in front. Blew down yesterday. The tree might be a goner with some yellow tips showing. Pinion Ipps. Groves of trees brown in valley now. Mesas turning brown.
5 days of record high temps on way....80's. Maybe 90's.
Small fire going in stove and the AC maybe later this week.............................Bad.

 

[SaskHunter]

We've had abnormally high temps this year with more in the forecast. Precipitations are below average and trending that way for the rest of winter. I hope we get good rain falls this spring and summer otherwise we'll be in trouble. I really hope we don't have a repeat of last year's fire season, or worse...

 

[hank4elk]

Hit a record 80 today. 30 degrees above normal.
At least the winds are down.
Watch your sparks!

 

[Southern Elk]

A wildfire started this afternoon. Not too far from @Hem. I can see the smoke from over 50 miles south.

 

[Nameless Range]

A wildfire started this afternoon. Not too far from @Hem. I can see the smoke from over 50 miles south.

Our department responded to a wildfire yesterday - our fourth of the year. This evening’s VFD training with the state was canceled because all hands are responding to the start you are referring to.

I don’t recall a year like this ever

 

[Southern Elk]

Our department responded to a wildfire yesterday - our fourth of the year. This evening’s VFD training with the state was canceled because all hands are responding to the start you are referring to.

I don’t recall a year like this ever

From the pictures I saw, it’s a spot that would normally be covered in snow this time of year.

 

[Hem]

From the pictures I saw, it’s a spot that would normally be covered in snow this time of year.

South side of the Boulder Cut off road, I think. Its burning up towards Doharty Mtn, though the ridiculous all day West wind blew the smoke right through my jobsite.
Imagine leaning in to a 40-50mph wind, and sucking smoke.
Rotten afternoon.
Im flushing my system currently.

 

[Hem]

I can see flames with binos from my house.
What month is it?

 

[Hem]

They got two choppers on it.
Fortunately, per usual, the wind should die down, now that the work day is over.

 

[D_Walt]

Heading to Big Bend National Park next week, had hoped to be out there before it got hot but looks like it will be in the 90’s.

“Exceptional” D4 drought in the Big Bend country and in deep South Texas. Way down south my wildlife water stations are going through almost 2000 gallons a week; I’m having to have water hauled in and will have to continue to do so until we get some water in the stock tanks, not going to let the deer & quail go dry, but I’ve fenced the hogs out so they don’t tear everything up.

Going to have to brush up on my rain dance skills, average 20” of rain/year but we’ve only had a little over three inches since June 2025 and no rain events since June 2024 big enough to cause runoff to get to the ponds. 15 miles north of us got over 3” just 10 days ago, we got just enough to get the dust to stick to your boots.

Hope some moisture comes soon for everyone!

 

[hank4elk]

New high low of 40. Normal high temp for March. Heading for 83.
Shut the line down to the well tank and sent more to the big tank 1000' away and closed the bleeder. Streambed flooded for 600'. Fenceline road flooded.
Big tank only down 6",fresh water flowing in now. The normal muddy elk tails are dust now.
Going for a couple bales of fresh alfalfa from Yuma today. Along with 6 bags of steer for trees.

Bro called yesterday and he hit 98 in Santa Margarita. Fire insurance canceled and luckily found new one. Fire hardening his house, sprinklers on roof and Hardie board going up on all exterior. 5000 gal storage tank and pump system.
SIL none too happy her travel and other financial plans sidelined.
Daughters house in Olympia WA. has spruce beetles eating bottom plates in basement. He found a guy to treat and repair.

Old friend in Altadena is dealing with 100 and trying to rebuild 4 family members homes. Not more redwood craftsman homes. Steel & stucco now.

Adding stop to get price on water storage tank for my house now.