Fires in February!?

For a few days in the last few weeks, smoke could be seen coming from the forest above Ashland. A prescribed burn to clear out thin fuels and brush was lit about two weeks prior. Little rain and snow, lots of sun, and a bit of wind kept the fire going for a bit longer than planned.

Last Tuesday, I drove an hour and a half on Forest Service roads and went inside the firelines where the burning was happening.

Usually, it's June, July, or August when I have to put on the bright yellow fire gear (which I love), but I got to get a taste of summer in early February.

If the weather keeps this course, could be a dry summer and an active fire season. And those clothes will be getting a lot more use.