Worries about fire

The long, wet, cold spring lured us into thinking that at least it would reduce the danger of a major fire season. Now, it looks as if the opposite could be true.

Wet weather really made the grasses and shrubs lush and higher than some years. Recent hot dry weather with brisk wind is drying the forest quickly. As the lush grasses and shrubs dry out, they will change from green to yellow and become flash fuels. Easily ignited, quick to spread and with wind could more easily expand to a major stand replacement fire. The past big fires from 1988 to 2003 are growing every year and the amount of dry wood not salvaged is now fuel that will make any new fires in the big burns more difficult to fight or control.

We have already noted campers on the river with large, dangerous fires. They have all been built on bare gravel bars obviously without thinking how far a sudden wind could carry a fire starting hot ember.

It is already dry enough for a forest fire to burn. Too many are caused by careless humans. Please be careful with fire!

While we are talking about careless humans I have to mention that same group who have somehow managed to acquire drivers’ licenses.

In the last week I have been passed by vehicles going well over the speed limit on or near a corner in the road. On Friday afternoon, while driving to Polebridge, I met 31 vehicles pulling 15 raft trailers. I don’t know their actual speed but they were going way too fast for the dusty stretches north of Polebridge. In one case the dust was so thick I had to pull over, stop, wait for the dust to clear and hope no one slammed into me from behind. We have already had one head-on crash which totaled both vehicles. Luckily, no one was badly injured. We might not be so lucky next time. I can tell you I will be really upset if a speeder hits my new car and even more upset if I or one of my passengers is hurt due to an idiot’s poor driving. We obviously need some level of patrol by the Montana Highway Patrol. Preventative enforcement is better than after-the-fact investigation. If you agree, call the MHP when you are in town—especially if you have an incident of speeding or careless driving to report.

Ten of us purchased an assortment of pizzas this week at the Merc and everyone agreed they were good. Luckily, we were able to move a table into the shade because it was too windy to mount the umbrellas. Sitting in the sun is no way to enjoy a meal when temperatures are above 85 degrees F.

Also had a breakfast sandwich at Home Ranch this week. The bacon and egg with smoked cheddar on rye was excellent. New manager, Dillon, told me that the HR menu will remain about the same, except no french fries. Coffee is free all day and tent campers can camp free. Also, rib-eye steaks from Perfect Cuts are available every day.

I hope everyone gives all three eateries a try and makes up their own minds. What do you think?

Remember the Interlocal and Firewise meetings on July 18th. Firewise is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free lunch at noon and the Interlocal from 1 to 4 p.m.

Larry Wilson’s North Fork Views appears weekly in the Hungry Horse News.