Red Rubber Ball

Canada wildfires are raising heck with air quality around here. 

But amazing sunset….

The Tornado

On this day in history 150 years ago.

On October 8, 1871, the most devastating wildfire in American history swept through northeast

Wisconsin, claiming an estimated 1700 - 2500 lives.  Known as the Peshtigo Fire, history 

doesn’t accord it the same measure of attention as another great fire that occurred 

simultaneously.  Likely a consequence of the other great fire remembered as the great 

Chicago Fire.   

The Wisconsin fire was by far the most tragic. 

It destroyed most of the southern half of the Door Peninsula and adjacent portions of 

Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The largest community in the affected area was Peshtigo, 

Wisconsin. Some incorrectly assume that the fire in Peshtigo jumped across the waters of 

Green Bay – yet the likely cause was a combination of weather conditions and the contribution 

of smaller fires from land-clearing activities on both shores of the bay.

 

 

 

Actually, three separate fires made-up the Peshtigo Fire which occurred on both sides of Green Bay and advanced quickly with the help of a low pressure system and a hot, dry wind.  It moved so fast the vortices of fire were described as a tornado of fire.  Property losses were in excess of  $169 million - about the same as the Chicago Fire.

The wildfire that began south of New Franken spread north through the towns of Union, 

Brussels and Forestville.  In its path was the small settlement of Williamsonville.  Sixty 

residents perished in the conflagration and the settlement was burned to the ground.  Seven 

desperate men sought refuge in a well to escape the inferno with five surviving.  

The firestorm consisted of super-heated flames of at least 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, 

advanced on tornado-like winds of 110 miles per hour or stronger. The diameter of such a fire 

ranges from one thousand to ten thousand feet. 

You cannot outrun it.

Twelve communities were obliterated. Over 1.5 million acres (2,400 square miles) of forest 

burned. The true death toll will never be known as all local records were destroyed in the 

conflagration and bodies were incinerated beyond all recognition.

Remembered locally as ‘The Tornado’- it was the greatest wildfire in recorded history.  

On This Day

The deadliest fire in United States history began on this day in 1871 in northeast Wisconsin.

 Remembered as The Great Peshtigo Fire it is frequently overshadowed by the Great Chicago Fire which began on the same date. 

The Wisconsin fire was by far the most tragic. 

It destroyed most of the southern half of the Door Peninsula and adjacent portions of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The largest community in the affected area was Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Some incorrectly assume that the fire in Peshtigo jumped across the waters of Green Bay – yet the likely cause was a combination of weather conditions and the contribution of smaller fires from land-clearing activities on both shores of the bay.

The firestorm consisted of super-heated flames of at least 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, advanced on tornado-like winds of 110 miles per hour or stronger. The diameter of such a fire ranges from one thousand to ten thousand feet. 

You cannot outrun it.

It is estimated that between 1,200 and 2,500 people were killed during the fire and millions of dollars of property and timberland were destroyed. Twelve communities were obliterated. Over 1.5 million acres (2,400 square miles) of forest burned. The true death toll will never be known as all local records were destroyed in the conflagration and bodies were incinerated beyond all recognition.

Remembered locally as ‘The Tornado’- it was the greatest wildfire in recorded history.

 

Atmospheric Haze

The day dawned sunny and clear enough - yet after 11 AM the skies began to darken.  Not seeing any precipitation on my radar app I asked Jill what was up.

She shared on her own device the news that the smokey haze from the wildfires on the west coast had found its way back.  Air quality conditions had deteriorated once again.

Another slightly hazy smokey sunset later on.  Nowhere near as striking as five days ago - but hazy nonetheless.

Book mark this link if you want to follow conditions where you live..... 

Atmospheric Haze

The sun today has taken-on a weird and spooky color as smoke from the West Coast wildfires spread across the continent.....

Edit to add this was later.

 

Tornado of Fire

On October 8, 1871, the most devastating forest fire in American history swept through northeast Wisconsin, claiming an estimated 1700 - 2500 lives.  Known as the Peshtigo Fire history doesn’t accord it the same measure of attention as another great fire that occurred simultaneously.  Likely a consequence of the other great fire remembered as the great Chicago Fire.   

Actually, three separate fires made-up the Peshtigo Fire which occurred on both sides of Green Bay and advanced quickly with the help of a low pressure system and a hot, dry wind.  It moved so fast the vortices of fire were described as a tornado of fire.  It burned 1.2 million acres with damages in excess of  $169 million - about the same as the Chicago Fire.

The wildfire that began south of New Franken spread north through the towns of Union, Brussels and Forestville.  In its path was the small settlement of Williamsonville.  Sixty residents perished in the conflagration and the settlement was burned to the ground.  Seven desperate men sought refuge in a well to escape the inferno with five surviving.  

 click on images for a better look

Last weekend’s bike ride took us near the memorial park that marks the location.  It’s a sobering experience to reread the story of the incredible tragedy of the Peshtigo fire.  If you like history you can learn more about this catastrophe from UW-Madison.

Consequences of a Scorched Earth Policy

Let's be perfectly clear about one thing.  Prairie habitat is not indigenous to the Door Peninsula.  

Of course, if the world continues to warm like it has for the past 10,000 years it might warm-up enough for these shallow, rock-strewn, clay soils to support the prairie plant species of south and west of here.  I likely won't live long enough in geologic time to see this happen but I have a head start.  Besides, it's cool.

I thought it would be useful to post some photos covering how things are growing following a controlled burn performed on May 3rd of this year.  In only three short months things are doing exceedingly well with a thick, lush flush of new growth following the burn.   

Man’s use of controlled burns is recognized as a suitable surrogate for the forces of Ma Nature's naturally-occurring wildfires that throughout millennia have maintained nature's balance.  Native Americans used fire to both sustain and manipulate their ancestral hunting grounds. Fire acts to reduce the intrusion of trees and shrubs that shade-out warm-season grasses and forbs.   

Following a burn the blackened earth is a nutrient-rich stockpile of charred plant remains that quickly absorb the spring sunlight.  These warming soils are receptive to the germination of dormant seeds and the growth of established native plants with root networks deep underground. 

The girls and I checked it out the other day and we are happy to report that this formerly scorched earth provides both food and cover for everything from birds, to the deer to the pollinators and everyone else - right down to the predators. The 2017 crop of butterflies is going to be memorable.  Check these out...

Gray-headed Coneflower

Black-eyed Susan

Blue Vervain

Compass Plant

False Sunflower

Nodding Pink Onion

Prairie Blazing Star

Purple Coneflower 

 
Watching it all come together

Cool, eh? 

click on an image for a better look

Messenger of the Gods

click on image to enlarge

Meet Iris Versicolor - commonly known as Blue Flag Iris or Northern Iris, Harlequin Blue Flag, Larger Blue Flag, Poison Flag, plus other variations of these names.  Habitats include wet prairies, along rivers, wet woodlands, swamps, edges of ponds and streams and other low-lying areas along rail lines and roadsides.  It likes wet feet.  Where fire has been suppressed there remain some remnant populations in low woodland habitat.  

In Greek mythology iris is a personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods - thus explaining the wide range of colors of this member of the iris family.

It grows naturally along the banks of Silver Creek which runs thru our property.  It takes some work to use prescribed burns as a tool to manage the wildness.

Worth it.  Dontcha think...

This Burn is for the Birds

On May 3rd of this year we conducted a burn on the open area out back between the house and Silver Creek.   

This constitutes the habitat planted with native grasses and forbs almost two decades ago. This is also where my pal Sid manifested his nocturnal powers.  But I digress.  Having established warm season flora it is best managed with periodic burns.  While most individuals might be put-off by setting something afire - prescribed burning is an accepted and ecologically sound mechanism of improving wildlife habitat.  It maintains wet prairies that provide sustenance for pollinators and nesting areas for non-game and game birds as well as cover and food for other critters.   

Man’s use of controlled burns is recognized as a suitable surrogate for the forces of Ma Nature's naturally-occurring wildfires that throughout millennia have maintained nature's balance.  Native Americans used fire to both sustain and manipulate their ancestral hunting grounds.  

Fire acts to reduce the intrusion of trees and shrubs that shade-out warm-season grasses and forbs.  Following a burn the blackened earth is a nutrient-rich stockpile of charred plant remains that quickly absorb the spring sunlight.  These warming soils are receptive to the germination of dormant seeds and the growth of established native plants with root networks deep underground.  

The girls and I checked it out yesterday afternoon - same location.

Before:    

And after:  

click on images to enlarge

In the short period of seven weeks this pollinator habitat has greened-up into a thick and rich growth of green potential with all sorts of good things for the birds, butterflies and everything else populating nature's circle of life.

Raising a toast to the scientific management of wildlife habitat.

Charnel House - Part I

A place or vault where skeletal remains are stored. They are often built near churches for depositing bones that are unearthed while digging graves. The term can also be used more generally as a description of a place filled with death and destruction.

Yesterday I mentioned that something was revealed by the prescribed burn performed earlier this month.  It was this... 

 click on images to enlarge

Even as the field is beginning to green-up with new growth the fire revealed the bones of butchered deer carcasses discarded and deposited over the years.  It looks - for all intents and purposes - like an ancient battlefield with skulls, leg bones and ribs laying about on the surface of the ground.

Slowly everything is returning to the earth.

Circle of life.

This Burn is for the Birds

Two and a half weeks ago we conducted a prescribed burn as a necessary practice to reinvigorate the tall grass prairie planting out behind the house.  

Fire acts to reduce the intrusion of trees and shrubs that shade-out warm-season grasses and forbs.  Following a burn the blackened earth is a nutrient-rich stockpile of charred plant remains that quickly absorb the spring sunlight.  These warming soils are receptive to the germination of dormant seeds and the growth of established native plants with root networks deep underground.  As it would be expected things are greening-up rather nicely.

click on image to enlarge

And some interesting stuff was revealed.

Be sure to check back tomorrow morning to read more...  

This Burn is for the Birds

By the time you read this the fires will have long been put-out.  So no worries.

It has been a few years since the tall-grass prairie acres out behind the house have been reinvigorated. For more than a year this spring's prescribed burn has been on the list of management practices.

While most individuals might be put-off by setting something afire - prescribed burning is an accepted and ecologically sound mechanism of improving wildlife habitat.  It maintains wet prairies that provide nesting areas for non-game and game birds.  

Man’s application of fire is recognized as a suitable surrogate for the forces of nature that throughout millennia have maintained native habitat.  Native Americans used fire to both sustain and manipulate their ancestral hunting grounds.  Fire acts to reduce the intrusion of trees and shrubs that shade-out warm-season grasses and forbs.  Following a burn the blackened earth is a nutrient-rich stockpile of charred plant remains that quickly absorb the spring sunlight.  These warming soils are receptive to the germination of dormant seeds and the growth of established native plants with root networks deep underground.   

It is all good.  

The following photos were from this year’s prescribed burn – taken this week. 

Raising a toast to keeping nature in balance.

Back burn - against the wind...

click on images to enlarge

Head fire - with the wind...

Scorched earth....

You can learn more about this sound, widely-accepted and scientific management practice here.

One of the ever-patient trail cameras caught some of the action.

EDIT TO ADD:

An ATV equipped for firefighting..

And an operator with a drip torch preparing to light the head fire....