National Tragedy

[Zuma]

I took this picture last evening.
I live 30 miles north of the fire.
This is a big one and only one
percent contained.
Zuma



WDBJ 7 - 19 minutes ago
LURAY, Va. (AP)

Fire in Shenandoah National Park tops 5,600 acres - NBC12 ...
www.nbc12.com/story/31775158/fire-in-shenandoah-national-park-tops...

A fire in Shenandoah National Park has now scorched more than 5,600 acres and closed a portion of the Appalachian Trail.

[Zuma]

I don't think the link will work so I'll
post this pic my buddy just sent me.
Thanks Rich.
Zuma

[tattoo dave]

Wow!! Where have I been, haven't heard anything about this. Thanks for sharing Zuma!

Tattoo Dave

[Ed Brooks]

That is an amazing pic of that fire. Stay safe, & thanks for sharing. Ed

[Stoker]

Wow.. Be safe
Thanks Leroy

[Stixnstones]

Holey crap, that's frightening and beautiful all at the same time. Hope you and your's are at a safe enough distance.

[Zuma]

Thanks folks for your concern and
kind thoughts. I wish I could pass
them on to the folks that may and
will be affected. It's mostly National
Park land.
If you are familiar with Nat Park rules
you know " Leave only footprints and
take nothing but photos" Or some such
nonsense.
And that includes every stinking hunk of
lumber or fire wood. it's like
"Burn Baby Burn"
Zuma
 

[Outbackbob48]

Don, I know burned areas look pretty ugly but are actualy benfical to all types of wildlife, all kinds of new growth, and some seeds need fire to activate them, Big giant trees look cool but not much understory to support other things besides wood.

[stickbender]

     Head for the Caverns!   Been there, when I was stationed at Ft. Lee.

                                    Wayne

[Badly Bent]

I didn't hear any news of this fire either, looks like a nasty one. Hope there is no damage to human life or homes.

[Zuma]

Don, I know burned areas look pretty ugly but are actually beneficial to all types of wildlife, all kinds of new growth, and some seeds need fire to activate them, Big giant trees look cool but not much understory to support other things besides wood.

Thanks Badly
Stick it would be like being Napalmed.
No doubt Bob, but this nonsense is a bit different. I used to help fight these fires when I first moved here. Most were in the Nat Forest where there was frequent
clear cutting and firewood removal for $20 a cord was OK. The fires were never like this one. Besides that, the controlled burns are done when the turkey hen are sitting on eggs. Another thing to understand is that this(worst ever) was started on a day where you could get in the park free. Which should be every day  I'll do my best to keep you all posted.
Zuma

[YosemiteBen]

Thanks for sharing Zman. One of these days you and I should get together over beer and food and have a great discourse about the preservation minded attitude of the circus.

[Parnell]

Oh man!  I just hiked that last summer!
 

[mullet]

Controlled burns are good for the Habitat as long as they are done on a regular basis. When you do them like this, most of the beneficial Habitat is destroyed because of the intense heat. Old growth trees with the canopy you want to shield out the undergrowth is usually killed.

[Tracker0721]

Had over 300,000 acres burn in my county last summer all in just 3 fires. Luckily no homes burned(that I'm aware of) so this year I joined the national park service as a wildland firefighter. Fires are good and even the areas that burn to complete nothing(our whole "kettle crest" mountain range burnt so bad on the road the signs were just melted metal and no sign of guard rails. That was in August/ September. Now there's green grass and some shrubs sprouting up. Deer and turkey are already moving back in too. Hope that one gets contained soon though! You have a way denser population over there