• Thursday-What'sUP September 6 - 08:16 pm

Not quite three weeks ago, we reported on the Governor's burning ban in Michigan, with the exception of State Campgrounds that have designated burning areas, along with onsite management in the park. David Subert, took the top photo, from the Houghton RV Park, looking up the Portage Canal. With the sun going down, it gives the impression of a fire off in the distance, reflecting on the water too! Here in the U.P. we've had little rain this summer, not counting the deluge we had a couple days ago, so the fire danger has been high. Our bonus shot today from Paul Roberts, is a prime example of why the burning ban is on. That's the little park just outside of Ahmeek, on the curve where the southern junction of Cliff Drive meets US 41. Those cedar bushes went up in flames in a hurry according to Pasty Cam poster Debi, back on August 25th. Paul's picture shows what's left of those beautiful bushes that bordered the park. Thanks to a quick response, the fire was contained after jumping the road and with very little damage.

So, when you're out and about, please practice extreme caution with anything flammable. Don't throw those smoking butts out your car window or carelessly on the ground. Only YOU can prevent wildfires!

Smokey Bear dropped in for a visit over on the What'sUP page.

Good Morning!!!

But I love the look of a fire in the pit!

I love the campfire picture at the top! Remember everyone's good friend, Smokey the Bear? When I was little, the ads said, "Only you can prevent forest fires!" That was one of the best ad campaigns that I can ever remember. Then, we did not hear much about it for a few years.

Do we know why, when they brought the ad back, they changed it to "only you can prevent wild fires"? When was that? It seems to me that most of what I would call wild fires (not forest fires) are in California. Did it have something to do with that? I guess I still prefer the forest fires line, but maybe it's because that is what I was raised with?

The top picture is great! Looks so peaceful and serene.

Is Smokey's friend, Woodsy Owl, still around?

I wonder if Woodsy Owl was moonlighting with the Tootsie Pop people? Isn't he the owl who was supposed to see how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop? He only got to three as I recall. I'm the same way with a tootsie pop.

To learn more about Smokey Bear, check out this website: http://www.smokeybear.com/vault/default.asp

Lots of fires this year, I didn't have one when I camped this weekend at all.

How did that fire start??

I don't know Mary.... This week of Ursa references on the PastyCam has been almost un'bear'able ;-)

The difference is that "forest" fires (somewhat controlled) can be beneficial for the environment by renewing certain heat-triggered species and clearing out overgrown shrubs and grasses that would normally feed an uncontrolled "wild" fire that rages all over indiscriminately.

Many firefighters died saving tree acreage over the years of "no fire" policy.

I saw this really great documentary on PBS a couple of months ago on the history of the Forest Service called "The Greatest Good."

http://www.fs.fed.us/greatestgood/film/synopsis.shtml?sub2

I received this aerial shot of the Ahmeek fire (the second picture up above), from our resident Pilot/Photographer, Neil Harri...

FJL: I don't know if they ever did find out. I'm thinking it was probably a careless smoker, but that's only my opinion.

Woodsy Owl was/is a Forest Service character who said "Give a hoot. Don't Polute."

I wonder if Neil Harri opens the window of his plane to get those clear photos. They are always vivid and crisp.

Tim,

I don't know about how Neil take his pictures, but I do know that Rick Anderson has a small window (maybe about 10" X 5") that he opens up to take pictures down below. At least he used to. I think he now has a computer operation that takes "vertical" photos too.
I'm betting Neil has some sophisticated equipment and a opening window too! :->

Maude Miller Hoffmeister an artist in Traverse City coined that phrase (Give a hoot, don't polute!) in the early 1950s....I have it on a post card.

I heard somewhere that Fall colors aren't as brilliant following a dry
Summer. If that's true then leaf color in Illinois should
be amazing. Its done nothing but rain on and off for weeks now.

My side window opens.

We've had our share of fires this year and most of them by careless people. Pleease use caution.