We have blood red sunsets here too, although they are due to some controlled burns that have been taking place in the Jemez Mountains and near Los Alamos. There was an article in the paper today stating that the particles in the smoke scatter the light and enhance the color.

Tonight I heard an interview on the PBS NewsHour with Bodie Shaw who is with the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, the government's mobilizing center for coordinating firefighting efforts across the country in times of emergency.

Part of the interview included statements that some communities in So. California that had put Firewise/Shelter in Place procedures and precautions in place were spared from the devastation of the fires.

Our community, which is in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mtns and borders the Santa fe National Forest, went through this program a few years ago - we had representatives from the Wildland/Urban Interface agency and local fire department come through our community and do an assesment of our risk, make recommendations and help us formulate an emergency plan. I've just sent a note to our homeowner's association board of directors to re-energize this program and education for us.

Here is their mission:

The national Firewise Communities program is intended to serve as a resource for agencies, tribes, organizations, fire departments, and communities across the U.S. who are working toward a common goal: reduce loss of lives, property, and resources to wildland fire by building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings.


Here's a link for more information:

Firewise Communities