Some remember Tastes Like Chicken (Ron Gueldner) he has had some health issues that has stopped his muzzleloader building several years back. I got this email from him this morning concerning the fires around him.

Hi Don
Things are going OK for us. The air is really bad...totally toxic. The meter pegs at 400.....we are currently at 415..LOL. Got everything tight in the house (saran wrapped the air conditioner) and running the scrubber. Inside the house ...the faintest hint of smoke. Outside...pretty much how I imagine Armageddon will look like. I picked beans today wearing my gas mask...lol. I never thought I'd do that. It's not a n95 disposable...it's a real 3M cartridge full face mask...put on some hepa prefilters and charcoal cartridges and it's "fresh air". It worked great. I use this for handling/woodworking walnut....so was all set to go...on the breathing dept.

Here's a link to the air quality meter...https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Portland&state=OR&country=USA so you can follow along for yourself.

My friend's place is safe so far. He's been pretty much awake for 4 days (grabbing 10 minute naps when possible)....watching for burning embers and getting any flair ups out. He's pretty sure his place is going to make it....if nothing else happens.

Have not seen the official report...but so far...zero containment on the fire closest to us. The humidity is increasing...and the wind is lower.....so that is very good. We should be safe unless something (high winds) unexpectedly causes problems. We are still in level 1....no big deal...be ready. Level 2....be ready to go immediately. Level 3....get out NOW. So many folks have lost everything...and lots are going to be found dead. This fire moved fast. Imagine less than a minute to get out.....with no warning. 50 mph winds and fires in the trees.....not a happy time. Lots of folks just made it out....some didn't even have time to get their shoes on!

Good news...rain is supposed to come on Monday....even if it is just a bit, or cloud cover...it'll up the humidity...which stops the explosive fires. Normally we're around 50%-60% humidity....we went to 20% with the big wind. Here....you could watch the plants wilt. Even in the garden...everything was feeling it.....and we water everyday. The forest didn't stand a chance.....100 degrees for the past month, 20% humidity and a strong desert (eastern Oregon, Idaho) wind. You can only push your luck for so long....and then eventually... you have to pay...along with the interest.

Just saw on the news...they are telling the evacuees to go somewhere else. All Portland areas are full. It's bringing out the best and worst in some. Already looters. I honestly would consider shooting on site appropriate....but that's just me. I can't even imagine trying to "camp" on the pavement and breath in this. Local people are providing tents, meals, etc. whatever they can. These folks have nothing left..but each other.....and in some cases....not even that...as entire families didn't make it out. I'm afraid the death toll will be going higher.....once the area can be gotten into. Really bad...and then add covid on top of it all. The next month could get "Biblical" with everyone packed in, living in tents, no masks, inept leadership, etc. Not good. We're set, dug in and ready for whatever comes.

So......that's about everything I got on the current situation. In just a couple more days....should improve
Stay safe..................Ron

sent

We are pullin for ya taste like chicken!!!!

Prayers from Va...


Donnie

It sounds almost like living in a war zone.

Prayers sent.

Yes really

Prayers sent Ron....if any one can get through it.....it will be you

Sending prayers

Prayers for you and everyone effected by the fires.

praying

God bless and thinking of all in fire zones

Ron lives up in the Portland area. We've got it bad all over western Oregon. One of my brothers is evacuated from the Holiday farm fire.

The weather forecast has us getting rain by Tuesday so that will be a game changer I think. At least the air will start to clean up.

These west coast Governors are so helpless, all they know how to do is to theorize about a particular condition, they are absolutely at a loss as to how to deal with real world issues; typical Democrat leaders.

Sitting here trapped in the house trying to not breath in the nasty air outside, at least it has cooled down; hopefully rain late on Monday or Tuesday.

Portland, Oregon - he said the riots are not that far. He's not downtown, I think on the edge somewhere.

This is the email that he sent me Friday the 11th. (I know out of order from the original post from this morning's email)

HI Don...
Yes, the fires are really bad. Don't know what you see on the news, but it is epic. My county is on evacuation. We are in level 1. 2-3 miles from my house is level 2. Level 3...get out now. We had a fire just 4 blocks from my house....I think set by transients (bums/homeless)...burnt about 1/2 acre. The county has set up an evacuation center about 3 blocks from my house for the people with motorhomes/tents to stay. It is full. Problem is there are many, many fires....not just a single one. My friend just made it.....his place was still standing yesterday. Hope it is today. He's towards the coast/Lincoln City. Only reason he has somewhere left...is his property was chosen as a staging area for firefighting and they held it. I'm so glad the wind stopped....or this would have set Portland on fire. Most of the area affected has people living in it. Most had livestock that needed to be evacuated. Just a couple miles from my place, they set up the abandoned paper mill as a cattle depot. Imagine a thousand cows in the middle of town....Never thought I'd see that. As a side note....big fire just 3 days before at the end of the road. This is right in town....part of the city park.

The air is absolutely toxic. Bright red...or yellow. If you have lung issues...you're toast. I rigged up a scrubber...about a 3 foot x 2 foot cylinder filled with activated charcoal and a hepa filter prefilter. Coupled that to a 750 cubic foot per minute squirrel cage fan...and I've got clean/smoke free air in the house!!! Without it...about like trying to breathe in your BBQ smoker. Honestly...lethal amounts of airborne pollution.

We're busy putting up pears and Asian pears...drying them. We've done about 200 pounds. Getting ready to make bean pickles, been busy digging potatoes...did about 300-350 pounds. Green beans did very well...still producing. Peas were very good. Been growing lettuce indoors since March. Squash....not so good. Going to have about 40 pounds of keepers...was hoping for 100+. Have laid in all the wheat/beans/rice we need for at least a 1 year....so should be able to ride things out. I tell you...this is getting old. My brother in law told me.....he figured frogs from the sky was next thing up. I just laughed and told him no way....that's a blessing...free "chicken" meat..lol. I really enjoy frog meat!!

Protests....what a crock. I'm not in charge of things...or I could guarantee it would be looked after in a day or two. This is about 4 miles from our place. Riots won't come to my neighborhood...but if they do...not going to happen. If it is anarchy they want....well.....some of us might just have other ideas about that. The drum magazines are loaded and the bayonets fixed. No worries. They also just placed my county under curfew......so we all know only the "trouble makers" will be out roaming...so they should be easy to round up. My county is NOT part of Portland. Our police told them to pound sand....when they wanted to pull our officers to go and "protect" Portland from the "peaceful protesters". They stated...if crimes are not being prosecuted....and property is being destroyed with no consequences....they will NOT involve or endanger our officers. Our Sheriff consistently shows good judgement and common sense in direct opposition to the "Portland Political Elite".

Just saw on the news another town has to be evacuated Beaver Creek...really, really bad. The roads and freeways were absolutely locked down last couple days as people try to evacuate. The good news....rain and wind direction changes coming. Just a couple more days and things COULD improve. It definitely will improve for us.....but many others are going to lose everything. Unless you live here.....the scope of the area impacted is hard to believe. Authorities are saying something like 2 million acres ( if I recall correctly). What it comes down to for me......within 100 miles of home.....honestly...everywhere I used to go hiking, trapping ATV etc.....is more than likely severely impacted..or gone. I'm hoping the landslides this winter will not be too severe. Good side to this.....the mushroom picking should be incredible for the next few years...and my favorite spot got burned out 3 -4 years ago...so it's in the clear. Fire/ landslides and falling trees......these are real hazards here. Almost been taken out by 2 of the 3...but at least we don't have chiggers...lol...still seeing this as a win.

I sure hope the Covid numbers are going down in your area. You two stay safe!!!!

Thanks for the e-mail.....Ron

Prayers sent! Son and daughter-in-law live in CA, not directly affected but it has been close. Daughter-in-law says the air quality in BAD. Wish they would move back here.

Prayers sent TLC

Prayers sent.



Charlie

Sent with prayer.