i thought the night fire pic was xmas lights.

welcome back 1158

 

Thx

I was gonna write a msg to you guys in the sand and take a pic while I was in Jamaica but I decided to drink instead.

 

Here's another nighttime fire pic

 

that looks less like xmas lights and more like oh lord jesus there's a fire

now i got bronchitis

 

Shouldn't it be snowing out east? It's 37 degrees in Vegas right now.

 

64 this morning here.


Does this meet your "Lord Jesus it's a fire" requirements?


Keep in mind this fire wasn't your typical western fire. It didn't torch the entire forest, it mostly burnt in the ground liter and understory. The make up of east coast forests is quite different from those on the west coast which means entire forests typically don't go up in flames.

 

can you uh, explain in layman's terms?

 

Here is a picture of a torched forest, fire I was at in Wyoming.

This is a picture from the last fire I was on, this had already burned. The smoke you see is from what is called reburn (I'll explain that in a minute).


Out west trees tend to have branches extending all the way to the ground, or at least much closer to the ground and there are a lot more medium to large bushes (because of the nature of a conifer forest vs a deciduous forest). This allows what are called ladder fuels. They allow the the fire to climb from the ground to the tops of the trees, hence the name ladder fuel. Anyway this allows entire trees and forest to burn while fires in the east tend to stay in the leaves, pine needles, sticks, and other forest debris laying on the ground (also called duff). Occasionally the fire will get into the canopy but it tends not to be sustained unless unusual outside forces come into play (60 mph winds for example).

Reburn happens when an area that has already burned burns again. This can happen if a complete burn did not occur the first time and hot spots flare up or, as was the case on this fire, leaves fall into the area that has already burned but is still holding onto heat.

Does that all make sense?

 

well, sure... yeah but...what's ground liter and understory?

anyways i didn't know different types of forest burned all or not all like that. pretty interesting. lots of chatter out here about homeowners not clearing underbrush enough and also not enough controlled burns creating worse fires.

 

ground liter = duff (leaves, sticks, pine needles, other **** on the ground)

Understory is bushes and shurbs and **** that grow under the main canopy

Clearing of **** from around the house is a big issue. Out west most homeowners are good about it. In the east not so much. The campaign is called "Firewise" Home - Firewise

 

maybe it's ground litter?

understory is a new word for me. thanks

 

Yeah I just realized my phone keeps changing litter to liter lol. Ah technology.

 

I was wondering if you really meant "liter" like "a liter o'cola".

 

i'd like a large farva

 

Anyone been to the Rolex 24? Or going this year?

Round trip flight is $220. Seriously considering.

 

What about ticket prices to the race?

 

Best option for 2 days seems to be the GRM package:

 

The Rolex seems like it would be a good time. I think I'd rather go to Sebring doe (mainly because my rents live p close to the track)

 

I've been to both the Rolex 24 and the Sebring 12hr.

Ask me your things.

(Yes I would go again). Rolex 24 is dead compared to the 500. Like still sleepy town. Hooters across the street (for outrun) and a pretty fun karting track (coz duh).

Do it.

 

So this was on the flight to Jamaica from CLT




Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to get out my good camera with nice optical zoom. Still cool to see doe

 

I think that's all I needed to hear. It's been on the list for a while and it seems like this is going to be an exciting year in multiple classes.

Plan is to fly down on Saturday, spend the night at the track (nap in the car when I get tired), then get a hotel for sunday night. Fly back Monday. Only flaw is if (when) my flight gets delayed but it's supposed to land in Orlando at 10:43 so there is plenty of time to get to Daytona before the green flag.

 

I'll be keen to hear your review and I hope you have a blast. I am working that weekend this year but next year I may take it off (if I have too) and plan to go. Use it as a tune up for going to Le Mans in the next few years.

 

I've been to the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. A lot of pros race there for fun. Saw Memo Gidley, Richie Hearn, Andy Hope, etc.

 

39A, 39B, and VAB

many feels

 

A good friend of mine is still trying to snag me tickets thru his yob for $35 a piece. Hoping he comes thru and I can meet you out there.