Chasing Clean Air

Roz Savage Inspiration in a Small Package, On a Small Boat, On a Big Ocean

It's easy to lament the Los Angeles smoke during an extreme fire, and I do lament my decision to touch base during a typical hot month that typically produces fires and hazardous air, but it's refreshing to be indoors with air purifiers and inspiration courtesy of Roz Savage. Roz dealt with breaking from her standard life by ditching the red sports car and rowing across the ocean.

Her adventure put me in touch with my own adventure.

And I pondered the undercurrents that drive a woman to ditch a standard life whole-heartedly or ditch a standard life gingerly, piecemeal, kind of like me.

Smoke Advisory

For those in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties here's the official smoke advisory from South Coast Air Quality and Management District.

Los Angeles Extreme Fire - Tragic Fallen Fire-Fighters in Station Fire

Fire-fighters!

Where would we be without these brave souls?

I can't imagine.

I can't imagine how they risk their lives battling fires, and today two firemen lost their lives in what a fire chief called an "extreme fire". Deepest gratitude and condolences to LA County Fire Dept and their families. What heroes!

42,500 acres burned (7,000 acres burned today) in the Station Fire, and it's growing fast now... northeast Los Angeles County.  

350 law enforcment officers are supporting 2800 fire-fighters, fighting this massive fire (160 circumference miles) burning out of control and ripping up hill toward Mount Wilson and threatening its TV, radio and cellular towers.

Every TV and radio station in LA county, as well as communication towers for most police and firemen are on Mount Wilson.

The raging fire is currently blazing toward communications tower now.

The prognosis for Acton area: Firefighters feel confident they'll keep fire at bay but there are no guarantees as fire can change direction.

Today, 18 structures near Big Tujunga area were destroyed.

Firefighters don't think fire will move east past Mount Wilson tonight but it may, and if not tonight, it may later in week. 

The smoke even on the westside doesn't feel good, tight chest, burning throat, general malaise because less oxygen in the air. Friends of mine without sensitivities asthma or lung issues are complaining too. 

I heard on KCAL9 (they're providing great firestorm coverage) that fire isn't expected to be out before Sept. 8th. 

It's important for those of us in Southland to keep windows closed, air purifiers and a/c on with recycled air, no exercise indoor or out because exercise helps lodge fine particulates deep in your lungs, which can potentially cause long term problems.

Right now, 8:45 p.m. the temps are low to mid-80s F.

Above photos taken from Brentwood and Westwood this afternoon.

Los Angeles Smoke

Timing!

I've been gone all summer, came home to regroup, and now this.

I drove in Brentwood minutes ago, and took these huge plumes of dark smoke photos.

Ships Pollute Coastal Air

If you live in Southern California, when you think of clean air, frequently you think of heading out to the beach.

But as I've cautioned for years, consider 1000s of ships along our coasts coming to the ports. Think fine particulate pollution, sulfur dioxide, dirty bunker fuels.

Ice Sculptures In Beijing Melt Path to Copenhagen Climate Summit

Melting along the climate change path to Copenhagen 2009, Greenpeace erected ice sculptures in Beijing.

Next--New Delhi.

Made from glacial melt waters from the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, the melting sculptures mark the start of the 100-day U.N. Copenhagen Climate Summit, and the launch of a campaign urging governments to a fair and binding climate change deal at summit.