Flying Snail Ranch ~@~ Fire Watch

The above picture is a panorama of a fire that was headed our way several years ago.

This is the fire approximately five minutes from our front gate. Thankfully, the wind changed and the fire was extinguished.

Every year we prepare for "Fire Watch" and this year (2007) we had to hire help.

For the past three years our weather has changed and this year we are experiencing massive vegetation and minimal rain; which, in our opinion, is a formula for disaster.

before

after

before

after

before

after

There are no "before" photographs of the following because the brush was too thick.

The Mound of Olive - A left turn takes one to the first fire trail below the house

First fire trail below house

Trail by lower water tank leading to Meditation Rock

Meditation Rock Meadow leading to The Point

Gilligan's Island [Waterfall back, left, behind remaining brush and The Point is right and up. Bamboo was removed and will grow back by Spring.].

Lower Large [Empty] Pond.

[Note: Normally we get over 100 inches of rain per year and during the drought years, maintained over 50 inches per year.

This year we had 37 inches of rain and the last 7 inches happened when it 'normally' does not rain, which caused excessive vegetation and brush.

Our next rain is predicted for early October, the neighbor's well, below, is down to 6 feet (normally 35 feet during the Summer), the streams down below are at a trickle (No one remembers them being so low, ever.), and we have enough water to run one sprinkler.]

Third fire trail below house, Dahbud's old place, and Top of Mountain

In conclusion, four major fire trails restored, two major trails to the streams below restored, and multiple overgrown areas and smaller trails cleared.

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