How Bad Is It?

Southern Fires

from JoeUser Forums

Some of us have been reading about how bad the fires are down in Georgia and Florida.  And California.  ut not being there, it often takes on a surrealism that we dont associate with.  Until something hits home.

Here is a letter from my Aunt.  Apparently it is a lot worse than we have been hearing (and why is the MSM JUST talking about Catalina???)

The smoke is really bad here in Tarpon Springs.  Visibility is less than 1/4 mile.  They have closed the courthouse and several other government buildings in Tarpon Springs.  It is bad also in Tampa, St. Petersburg, south to Sarasota and north of Tampa.  There is a smoke advisory, the air pollution is 150%, and they are recommending even healthy people stay indoors.
 
Dad played tennis this morning, and he said there was ash all over the tennis court.  He said he couldn't even see the water when he passed Craig Park.
 
There are fires all over Florida, but all the smoke today is coming from the fires in northern Florida and southern Georgia.

Mason and Donna, how bad is down your way?

I am saying a prayer for all you guys as this is bad for a lot of folks down there. (My Aunt is on Oxygen, so this is especially troubling for us).

4,180 views 28 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I would never have guessed that the pollution could be so bad there. Seems there is little wind or rain to revive the air.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I've been following this one, 1 because, well, it's a disaster, and you know me and disasters... but more than that, I went to high school in Tarpon Springs.  You're right, it's pretty bad down there.  Strange to not have sunshine in the Sunshine State.
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

Seems there is little wind or rain to revive the air.

During the summer, without a tropical storm to clear the air, it gets that bad.  Where I live, they have a saying "Florida Sky".  That is when the sky is a clear blue, and the temperature is in the upper 90s with high humidity.

At least I dont live in florida where that seems to be the norm!

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

but more than that, I went to high school in Tarpon Springs.

Really?  Small world!  I have never been there.  My Aunt and Uncle still have a house here in Virginny, but spend most of the time down in Florida now (they might be coming home now for a spell at least. )

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Lungs?What must this be doing to peoples lungs? Are they wearing masks?
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Lungs?What must this be doing to peoples lungs? Are they wearing masks?


I suspect my Aunt is indoors and using AC. My Uncle, 74 and healthy as a horse, is probably playing tennis with no mask!
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

I too have been following the fires out east, but when you have as many fires as we do in California, it takes a lot of burned acreage to really get my attention.

I have a ton of kin in Flordia {don't all we Jews?} but not just from my side, Colleen also has a ton of kin there too.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

I have a ton of kin in Flordia {don't all we Jews?} but not just from my side, Colleen also has a ton of kin there too.

Psst, Elie.  It is not Jews.  It is old people!  My mother and her 2 sisters live down there.  WHy?  They hate the Virginia Winters (and we are not that bad!!!!).

Before they moved, tho, I will tell you that I did not follow the fires down there, just the California ones (since I have been in them - and they still affect my in-laws).  In all honesty, there is a lot more burning out there than back here - but then you know the song - It never rains (BS!) in Southern California.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
but then you know the song - It never rains (BS!) in Southern California


damn, now that song won't get out of my head...thanks guy, lol  
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
thanks guy, lol


I hate that song too! (having lived there for several years).

Ok, to get it out of your head, here we go.....

I love you,
You love me,
We're a happy family,
with a great big hug,
and a kiss from me to you,
Won't you say you love me TOO!

(Evil leer here......)
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ok, to get it out of your head, here we go.....

I love you,
You love me,
We're a happy family,
with a great big hug,
and a kiss from me to you,
Won't you say you love me TOO!

(Evil leer here......)


on your average man, that might work,,,but unfortunately i have a 2 year old now and went thru the barney years with my 8 year old already...so i'm desensitized to those songs now.

but fortunately, i got a new song in my head...thanks to this post, and one i like..."fire on the mountain" by the grateful dead.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
but fortunately, i got a new song in my head...thanks to this post, and one i like..."fire on the mountain" by the grateful dead.


That one is a good one!

But after 4, the barney song still is nails on a chalk board for me. How else would I remember it?

Kudos to you and the new song! Now if I can keep it in my head...........
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
to me, barney represents an opportunity to get work done if i am working at home. but sesame street is the only show i encourge the watching of.

it does a baby good!
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
but sesame street is the only show i encourge the watching of.


YES! After 40 years, that one is still number one! I am glad to see that as my "baby" is 14 1/2!
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
YES! After 40 years, that one is still number one! I am glad to see that as my "baby" is 14 1/2!


although my 2 year old does ask to watch "hardball" and "news" with daddy, lol


he says "can we watch haaaadbol daddy?"

makes me proud!
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
lol nice barney tangent guys. Weren't we originally discussing fires in Florida? haha this is why I like JU.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
But on a serious note, I saw on the news that there might be a storm brewing, so hopefully it will come and put some of the fires out. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
although my 2 year old does ask to watch "hardball" and "news" with daddy, lol


Sad to say, I use to watch Jerry Springer. WHen my Sister moved in (when she separated from her husband), my Nephew and I use to watch it together.

She hates me to this day for that!
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
lol nice barney tangent guys. Weren't we originally discussing fires in Florida? haha this is why I like JU.


nanananana! Ommmmm!!!!! Fires! yes, fires! Gollum likes fires!

Strange how some topics take off!   
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
But on a serious note, I saw on the news that there might be a storm brewing, so hopefully it will come and put some of the fires out. I'll keep my fingers crossed.


Mason said it was petering out. So I guess the heros are going to have to do this one on their own. I hope for my aunt's sake they do soon. They are real heros.
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
I couldn't comment before...problems logging on...

Anway, it's been some days of thick, bad smelling smoked-filled air for us here because we're centrally located. We're farther away from it not to worry but the windy weather brings it to us. Although there was fire a little closer as of two days ago, still nothing for us to worry about here. The weather has been overcast today so hopefully it will rain. But so far, no rain. The smoke burns the eyes, throat and nose and makes breathing difficult. I kept my son home from school one day last week when it was at its worst but as of today, much better!
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
Suuuuuuurrrre, Doc. We come within a football field's length of losing our town last year, and this year you're all sympathetic 'cuz these folks can't breathe in the smoke. I see how it is! No respect, I tells ya! (LOL!)

But seriously, maybe they'll follow our trend. We have playa lakes again, something we haven't had for a substantial length of time since I moved here.
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
Her description is pretty accurate. It's been really bad here air quality-wise for a few days now. I live just East of Tampa (same county), and today is the first day in a few that I could actually see some of the clouds above the smoke.

The sky was still really hazy but at least I could make out a few patches of blue and a few clouds.

It just started thundering a few minutes ago and putting down a little light rain, but so far it's not nearly heavy enough to wash the smoke and ash out of the air. I'm hoping it cuts loose with a heavy rain for a little while as it will make the air breathable again.

I just hope the lightening doesn't start yet more fires.
Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
smoke burns the eyes, throat and nose and makes breathing difficult


Yes it does. I just called my mom (she was on the phone with one of my other siblings), but I dont think it is getting down that far. I guess I will know when she calls back.

Happy Mother's Day Forever! Hope it is a great one!