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(OT) Ca Fires

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(OT) Ca Fires

Hi,

Just wondering how the CA fires are affecting Elecraft?
Jim [hidden email]
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wayne burdick

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

Administrator

No impact that I know of.

Wayne
N6KR

> On Nov 2, 2019, at 12:19 PM, Jim H via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Just wondering how the CA fires are affecting Elecraft?
> Jim [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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marvwheeler

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

I am glad that Elecraft is not affected. I am sorry that anyone is being
impacted by these devastating fires. I can't imagine, other than being
physically injured or killed, anything that would impact anyone more than
being displaced or having your home and property destroyed by fire.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
Sent: Saturday, November 2, 2019 1:12 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (OT) Ca Fires

No impact that I know of.

Wayne
N6KR

> On Nov 2, 2019, at 12:19 PM, Jim H via Elecraft <[hidden email]>
wrote:

>
> Hi,
>
> Just wondering how the CA fires are affecting Elecraft?
> Jim [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> [hidden email]

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Doug Renwick

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

The big question is 'how much longer can Elecraft survive in California and
have to move elsewhere".
Doug

-----Original Message-----

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (OT) Ca Fires

No impact that I know of.

Wayne
N6KR

> On Nov 2, 2019, at 12:19 PM, Jim H via Elecraft <[hidden email]>
wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Just wondering how the CA fires are affecting Elecraft?
> Jim [hidden email]

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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W2xj

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

i think a bit of an over reaction.

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 2, 2019, at 9:37 PM, Doug Renwick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The big question is 'how much longer can Elecraft survive in California and
> have to move elsewhere".
> Doug
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (OT) Ca Fires
>
> No impact that I know of.
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>>> On Nov 2, 2019, at 12:19 PM, Jim H via Elecraft <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Just wondering how the CA fires are affecting Elecraft?
>> Jim [hidden email]
>
>
> --
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-3

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Doug Renwick

I've lived in California for a few decades.

I've evacuated three times due to wildfires, all of them coming closer
than I'd like.

I have never lost a single thing due to fire -- just some sleepless nights.

The power situation (especially in PG&E territory) is a different story,
but one that's manageable.

73 -- Lynn

On 11/2/2019 6:35 PM, Doug Renwick wrote:
> The big question is 'how much longer can Elecraft survive in California and
> have to move elsewhere".
> Doug
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wayne burdick

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

Administrator

In reply to this post by Doug Renwick

We Californians are used to unboring. We love it here.

Disasters? Bring it. Great for KX2/3 testing :)

Wayne
N6KR

----
elecraft.com

> On Nov 2, 2019, at 6:35 PM, Doug Renwick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The big question is 'how much longer can Elecraft survive in California and
> have to move elsewhere".
> Doug
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (OT) Ca Fires
>
> No impact that I know of.
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>> On Nov 2, 2019, at 12:19 PM, Jim H via Elecraft <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Just wondering how the CA fires are affecting Elecraft?
>> Jim [hidden email]
>
>
> --
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-3

On 11/2/2019 7:05 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> The power situation (especially in PG&E territory) is a different story,
> but one that's manageable.

Really? You do realize that PG&E's distribution system has been badly
neglected for decades, and has long been an accident ready to happen.
And most of it is bare copper, making it more likely to start a fire.
All because management CHOSE not to maintain it, instead paying
themselves big salaries and bonuses, paying dividends to investors, and
buying back stock. The result is that correcting the problem requires a
MASSIVE investment and a massive amount of work that will takes decades
to complete, and years to even begin!

As to Elecraft - many of their employees live in areas that WERE
affected by the power shutoffs. Some are my neighbors. Our generators
have gotten a lot of running time in the past week or so.

73, Jim K9YC

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Jim Brown-10

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-3

On 11/2/2019 8:03 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
> The positive part of a power shutoff is the elimination of nearby RFI.

YES! During the shutoff, as I always do, I set the lower limit of the P3
at the noise level. When I turned it on after power was restored, it was
about 15 dB higher!

73, Jim K9YC
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Doug Turnbull

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Whatever about fire and earthquakes, the weather is good and the state has jobs. There are reasons to refer to CA as the "Golden State".73 Doug EI2CNSent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------From: Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> Date: 03/11/2019 05:29 (GMT+00:00) To: Doug Renwick <[hidden email]> Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (OT) Ca Fires We Californians are used to unboring. We love it here. Disasters? Bring it. Great for KX2/3 testing :)WayneN6KR----elecraft.com> On Nov 2, 2019, at 6:35 PM, Doug Renwick <[hidden email]> wrote:> > The big question is 'how much longer can Elecraft survive in California and> have to move elsewhere".> Doug> > > -----Original Message-----> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (OT) Ca Fires> > No impact that I know of.> > Wayne> N6KR> >> On Nov 2, 2019, at 12:19 PM, Jim H via Elecraft <[hidden email]>> wrote:>> >> Hi,>> >> Just wondering how the CA fires are affecting Elecraft?>> Jim [hidden email]> > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.> https://www.avast.com/antivirus> ______________________________________________________________Elecraft mailing listHome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:[hidden email] list hosted by: http://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlMessage delivered to [hidden email]
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NK7Z

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

I do the same thing every power fail, and I see about a 15 to 20 db drop
in noise as well...

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 11/3/19 12:08 AM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 11/2/2019 8:03 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>> The positive part of a power shutoff is the elimination of nearby RFI.
>
> YES! During the shutoff, as I always do, I set the lower limit of the P3
> at the noise level. When I turned it on after power was restored, it was
> about 15 dB higher!
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-3

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Yes, Jim, I do realize that a lot of the problem is PG&E making poor
choices to benefit investors and not provide safe power. They do the
same with natural gas.

SCE is better, but they're hardening their grid, fixing the problems you
mentioned, and we've had lots of maintenance outages to replace poles.

You mention generators, and that makes my point:

The problem is manageable. A small generator can solve a lot of
problems at a fairly low cost.

I don't need much power for lighting, and have a number of battery
powered camping lamps that work great. Candles too.

My internet connection and servers are mission critical to me, but
that's 80 watts total.

If it's below freezing, I want to be able to run the furnace at least
part time.

My refrigerator and freezer are important, but not critical.

I can get by with about 2kw. I think the Ryobi 2300 I have was $600.

I can go a couple of hours without power easily before I need to start
thinking about the generator.

Siphoning gas from the cars works -- and has been tested, new cars are
harder to tap for gas.

73 -- Lynn

On 11/3/2019 12:04 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
> As to Elecraft - many of their employees live in areas that WERE
> affected by the power shutoffs. Some are my neighbors. Our generators
> have gotten a lot of running time in the past week or so.
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Wes Stewart-2

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

I'm shocked to hear that PG&E would actually think to pay dividends to investors
who put their money at risk. The government of CA should put a stop to this
capitalist idea. and turn the management over to the MVD or the bullet train people.

Wes N7WS

On 11/3/2019 12:04 AM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 11/2/2019 7:05 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>> The power situation (especially in PG&E territory) is a different story, but
>> one that's manageable.
>
> Really? You do realize that PG&E's distribution system has been badly
> neglected for decades, and has long been an accident ready to happen. And most
> of it is bare copper, making it more likely to start a fire. All because
> management CHOSE not to maintain it, instead paying themselves big salaries
> and bonuses, paying dividends to investors, and buying back stock. The result
> is that correcting the problem requires a MASSIVE investment and a massive
> amount of work that will takes decades to complete, and years to even begin!
>
> As to Elecraft - many of their employees live in areas that WERE affected by
> the power shutoffs. Some are my neighbors. Our generators have gotten a lot of
> running time in the past week or so.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC

Steve Boles

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

Our son, who lives in Spokane Washington, is a wild land forest fire
fighter. He's on stand-by but has not yet been deployed to California this
time around. He has all sorts of stories he can tell about the lack of
forest management and the consequences of...
Steve
ARS: WB4SED

On Sun, Nov 3, 2019 at 8:14 PM Wes <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I'm shocked to hear that PG&E would actually think to pay dividends to
> investors
> who put their money at risk. The government of CA should put a stop to
> this
> capitalist idea. and turn the management over to the MVD or the bullet
> train people.
>
> Wes N7WS
>
> On 11/3/2019 12:04 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
> > On 11/2/2019 7:05 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> >> The power situation (especially in PG&E territory) is a different
> story, but
> >> one that's manageable.
> >
> > Really? You do realize that PG&E's distribution system has been badly
> > neglected for decades, and has long been an accident ready to happen.
> And most
> > of it is bare copper, making it more likely to start a fire. All because
> > management CHOSE not to maintain it, instead paying themselves big
> salaries
> > and bonuses, paying dividends to investors, and buying back stock. The
> result
> > is that correcting the problem requires a MASSIVE investment and a
> massive
> > amount of work that will takes decades to complete, and years to even
> begin!
> >
> > As to Elecraft - many of their employees live in areas that WERE
> affected by
> > the power shutoffs. Some are my neighbors. Our generators have gotten a
> lot of
> > running time in the past week or so.
> >
> > 73, Jim K9YC
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

W2xj

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

Except in LA and Ventura there is not any forest, just brush and homes.

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 3, 2019, at 8:48 PM, Steve Boles <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Our son, who lives in Spokane Washington, is a wild land forest fire
> fighter. He's on stand-by but has not yet been deployed to California this
> time around. He has all sorts of stories he can tell about the lack of
> forest management and the consequences of...
> Steve
> ARS: WB4SED
>
>> On Sun, Nov 3, 2019 at 8:14 PM Wes <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I'm shocked to hear that PG&E would actually think to pay dividends to
>> investors
>> who put their money at risk. The government of CA should put a stop to
>> this
>> capitalist idea. and turn the management over to the MVD or the bullet
>> train people.
>>
>> Wes N7WS
>>
>>> On 11/3/2019 12:04 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
>>> On 11/2/2019 7:05 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>>>> The power situation (especially in PG&E territory) is a different
>> story, but
>>>> one that's manageable.
>>>
>>> Really? You do realize that PG&E's distribution system has been badly
>>> neglected for decades, and has long been an accident ready to happen.
>> And most
>>> of it is bare copper, making it more likely to start a fire. All because
>>> management CHOSE not to maintain it, instead paying themselves big
>> salaries
>>> and bonuses, paying dividends to investors, and buying back stock. The
>> result
>>> is that correcting the problem requires a MASSIVE investment and a
>> massive
>>> amount of work that will takes decades to complete, and years to even
>> begin!
>>>
>>> As to Elecraft - many of their employees live in areas that WERE
>> affected by
>>> the power shutoffs. Some are my neighbors. Our generators have gotten a
>> lot of
>>> running time in the past week or so.
>>>
>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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>

JP Douglas

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-3

I run a 12 volt Solar system, 4 100 watt panels hooked up to 4 6 volt Golf Cart batteries. I have 12 volt LED lights (look like a regular lightbulb) all over the QTH, run router, wifi, phone, shack all without an inverter. If you end up losing the things in your fridge we’re talking what, $100, so what. We’re in Maine so we have wood burning stove in the basement you can even cook with if need be.
Loose power all the time, no big deal...
73 from Ecuador where we’re on holiday w/my HF radio...
Jose Douglas KB1TCD (HC2/KB1TCD)

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 3, 2019, at 11:53 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Yes, Jim, I do realize that a lot of the problem is PG&E making poor choices to benefit investors and not provide safe power. They do the same with natural gas.
>
> SCE is better, but they're hardening their grid, fixing the problems you mentioned, and we've had lots of maintenance outages to replace poles.
>
> You mention generators, and that makes my point:
>
> The problem is manageable. A small generator can solve a lot of problems at a fairly low cost.
>
> I don't need much power for lighting, and have a number of battery powered camping lamps that work great. Candles too.
>
> My internet connection and servers are mission critical to me, but that's 80 watts total.
>
> If it's below freezing, I want to be able to run the furnace at least part time.
>
> My refrigerator and freezer are important, but not critical.
>
> I can get by with about 2kw. I think the Ryobi 2300 I have was $600.
>
> I can go a couple of hours without power easily before I need to start thinking about the generator.
>
> Siphoning gas from the cars works -- and has been tested, new cars are harder to tap for gas.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
>
>> On 11/3/2019 12:04 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
>> As to Elecraft - many of their employees live in areas that WERE affected by the power shutoffs. Some are my neighbors. Our generators have gotten a lot of running time in the past week or so.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-3

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Wes Stewart-2

All public companies operate to benefit the investors/shareholders.

That means balancing dividends and profits against things that may
impact their bottom line like destroying customer assets and legal threats.

SCE is no different, but they went more toward safety as a way to
maximize shareholder value. Safe, happy customers with homes and assets
pay their bills better than dead or burned-out ones.

73 -- Lynn

On 11/3/2019 5:12 PM, Wes wrote:
> I'm shocked to hear that PG&E would actually think to pay dividends to
> investors who put their money at risk. The government of CA should put
> a stop to this capitalist idea. and turn the management over to the MVD
> or the bullet train people.
>
> Wes N7WS
______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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wayne burdick

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

Administrator

There are at least three factors making fires both more intense and more frequent in recent years:

1. Our power companies (including PG&E) have not been diligent about clearing trees away from residential and HV lines. In my own neighborhood I've spotted many houses with power feeds that are intertwined with tree branches. When I do, I alert the home owners to the existence of a hotline for PG&E trimming service.

2. Due to either negligence or budget problems, they're not replacing old equipment fast enough. Like gas infrastructure, there are transmission towers and poles 50 to 100 years old in active service.

3. Trees in California (and in the west, generally) have seen rapid increases in die-offs due to extended drought, as well as bark beetles, sudden oak death (SOD) and other infections. I travel around California often, and everywhere I go I see patches of brown, dead trees in what used to be pristine forest.

Historically, bark beetle larvae were suppressed by winter freezes. But average temperatures have been steadily rising. (First-hand experience: When we moved to Belmont 25 years ago, we used to have a couple of days every winter with lows below 30 degrees. Over the past three years the lowest I've seen was 39.) As far as trees are concerned, it only takes a couple of degrees to shift the balance. The larvae now survive most winters and reproduce furiously, eating everything in sight. They're also able to migrate to higher elevations, getting into more stands of trees.

Information on this phenomenon abounds, but one particularly good summary, from Yale, can be found here:

https://e360.yale.edu/features/small-pests-big-problems-the-global-spread-of-bark-beetles

Of course we're used to disasters both man-made and natural in CA, and still we persist :)

Wayne
N6KR

> On Nov 4, 2019, at 8:20 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> All public companies operate to benefit the investors/shareholders.
>
> That means balancing dividends and profits against things that may impact their bottom line like destroying customer assets and legal threats.
>
> SCE is no different, but they went more toward safety as a way to maximize shareholder value. Safe, happy customers with homes and assets pay their bills better than dead or burned-out ones.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
>
> On 11/3/2019 5:12 PM, Wes wrote:
>> I'm shocked to hear that PG&E would actually think to pay dividends to investors who put their money at risk. The government of CA should put a stop to this capitalist idea. and turn the management over to the MVD or the bullet train people.
>> Wes N7WS
> ________________

Rick WA6NHC-2

Fwd: (OT) Ca Fires

Plus every time trimming or thinning is required, homeowner and legal processes (including court time in some cases) the utility (not just PG&E or SCE) must follow, take an inordinate amount of time and resources thanks to ‘environmental’ groups failing to realize it is a renewable resource and a fact of living within a wildland urban interface (WUI).

It doesn’t have to be moonscaped, there are methods to manage forests and allow safe access for all, including utilities while lowering the fire risk.

So we can also be more safe while operating our Elecraft products in the woods or at home too. ;-)

Rick NK7I <<<—— was wa6nhc

Smell Czech corrections are inevitable

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]>
> Date: November 4, 2019 at 8:50:38 AM PST
> To: "Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] (OT) Ca Fires
>
> There are at least three factors making fires both more intense and more frequent in recent years:
>
> 1. Our power companies (including PG&E) have not been diligent about clearing trees away from residential and HV lines. In my own neighborhood I've spotted many houses with power feeds that are intertwined with tree branches. When I do, I alert the home owners to the existence of a hotline for PG&E trimming service.
>
> 2. Due to either negligence or budget problems, they're not replacing old equipment fast enough. Like gas infrastructure, there are transmission towers and poles 50 to 100 years old in active service.
>
> 3. Trees in California (and in the west, generally) have seen rapid increases in die-offs due to extended drought, as well as bark beetles, sudden oak death (SOD) and other infections. I travel around California often, and everywhere I go I see patches of brown, dead trees in what used to be pristine forest.
>
> Historically, bark beetle larvae were suppressed by winter freezes. But average temperatures have been steadily rising. (First-hand experience: When we moved to Belmont 25 years ago, we used to have a couple of days every winter with lows below 30 degrees. Over the past three years the lowest I've seen was 39.) As far as trees are concerned, it only takes a couple of degrees to shift the balance. The larvae now survive most winters and reproduce furiously, eating everything in sight. They're also able to migrate to higher elevations, getting into more stands of trees.
>
> Information on this phenomenon abounds, but one particularly good summary, from Yale, can be found here:
>
> https://e360.yale.edu/features/small-pests-big-problems-the-global-spread-of-bark-beetles
>
> Of course we're used to disasters both man-made and natural in CA, and still we persist :)
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>
>> On Nov 4, 2019, at 8:20 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> All public companies operate to benefit the investors/shareholders.
>>
>> That means balancing dividends and profits against things that may impact their bottom line like destroying customer assets and legal threats.
>>
>> SCE is no different, but they went more toward safety as a way to maximize shareholder value. Safe, happy customers with homes and assets pay their bills better than dead or burned-out ones.
>>
>> 73 -- Lynn
>>
>>> On 11/3/2019 5:12 PM, Wes wrote:
>>> I'm shocked to hear that PG&E would actually think to pay dividends to investors who put their money at risk. The government of CA should put a stop to this capitalist idea. and turn the management over to the MVD or the bullet train people.
>>> Wes N7WS
>> ________________
>
>
>
>
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Edward R Cole

Re: (OT) Ca Fires

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Wayne has described the issues with susceptibleness to wildfire, well.

In the last 100 years (or so) wildfire has been suppressed by man
thus providing an increase in "fuel" growth. Only in the last few
years have forest scientist and managers modified this to allow
natural fire to correct the issue. BTW this betters the environment
providing food for many species. So even hunters are realizing the benefit.

The cited paper should give one a good perspective on this topic
though it left out the spruce bark beetle invasion in Alaska. Wild
fire is a normal occurrence up here.

This summer a 160,000 acre fire burned about 50-miles east of me and
closed traffic on the only road from the Kenai Peninsula to Anchorage
with huge impact on truck traffic and tourists. It also burned the
high voltage intertie from Bradley Lake Dam to regions in Anchorage
and north which supplies that low price power for a significant part
of AK. Fortunately most of the burned area was Nat'l forest with
little human occupancy (unlike the situation in CA).

We've improved the fire situation around our home quite a lot by
taking down trees close to the house and converting brush land to
lawn. We have just under 2 acres which is backed by wild forest land
to the south. FD even took out about five tall spruce along the road
right-of-way for free.

My wife used to live in Simi Valley so well aware of the area
impacted in SoCal. I lived on the beach, valley, desert, and
foothill area of LA (long ago).

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
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