"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Wildfire


My rant - never mind.  But, the ranchers that burn off rangeland for their cattle, really piss me off.  So much wildlife and plant life dies in these fires.  Plus, they always get out of control.

We got a call that our mountain was on fire and nearing the cabin.  Of course, we were both in the city, so dealing with the forestry service and local volunteer fire departments by phone is frustrating to say the least.  

They rarely get into trouble for burning, but I have seen the aftermath, and many lizards, turtles and ground nesting birds' nests are killed and destroyed.  Now, multiply that by the wildlife that is killed when they start cutting hay.  Sometimes, depending on the rain, they do it several times during the summer.  

I quit eating red meat for five years in protest.  Guess I need to start drinking/using nut milks.  Eventually, maybe their practices will change, but I'm not holding my breath.

16 comments:

angryparsnip said...


I don't think Arizona does this because of all the wildfires we have around here. They do have some control burns by the USFS in some areas but they are very small I understand why but I don't like them.
When you mentioned the Turtles it made me cry. I was a Grandmother to a Lady Desert Tortoise I was able to see a photo of her with her little camera and her xrays. I learned so much from the study she was in. I miss her she was so very cute.
I would protest some way but it seems no one listens. I have been writing to my so called Democrat congress "people" about Border Problems for over 50 years.... dur !
I have stopped buying lots of items. I Know one notices but it makes me feel like I am doing something

I hope this fire does not get away from them. Good luck breathing today.
cheers, parsnip and thehamish

donna baker said...

The smoke covers many miles and they do have some controlled burns, but are ready for them. It is the individuals that let them get out of control. With our gale force winds and so many forested areas with trillions of leaves and downed limbs, it is an inferno. Plus, we've had drought, so it is a perfect storm. Some young ranchers were killed trying to get their livestock out of the way. It should be banned.

I think maybe the immigrants are leaving as the local news said the nurseries are having trouble finding workers and that we might not be able to find lawn services this summer in the city. Let's hope they don't leave the farms or we'll starve.
I have something for you Gayle. Email me your address. Something to pass on to Mia.

Elephant's Child said...

We often get fires here. And they make my heart ache. The media concentrates on the damage to people's property, but the birds and the animals suffer more.

Out on the prairie said...

Sad to here, they can travel fast. Had on near me recently and it jumped an interstate.

angryparsnip said...

I so agree with everything you said. You are too dry for set fires. When you live in a fire area they should know better or the East or West Coast people who come in and talk down, in their all knowing way, to us natives who know better. I am so sorry your are living through this again !
My Gardener runs a great service. All his help speaks english they are legal or have real green cards and they know what they are doing. He trains them well. I may pay more than my friend but when I tell them what I want done they do it and it comes out right..
He is Hispanic and hires hispanics.
Same with the farms, I was a supporter Cesar Chavez and learner how little they pay the workers, long hours and horrific living conditions picking grapes. And even then the illegals would come in and under cut the strikers.
People have to really have to get act together.

You are so nice to think of Mia !
cheers, parsnip

donna baker said...

Is that how your house burned down Gayle? At first I didn't remember until you started talking about the wildfires in CA. I bet the younger generation don't even know who Cesar Chavez is. Don't forget to send me your address by email. I'll surprise you, but here is a hint. They are both very old.

donna baker said...

And on such a large scale. One only has to look at the Amazon to see what happens when beef production becomes more important that nature. I don't have the answers - except for maybe soylent green.

donna baker said...

It is. I saw a box turtle crawl out of a wildfire with terrible burns. I ran and got my gun to put it out of its misery. Terrible. The fires are so fast and with winds 50 -60mph, you can hardly stop them. They were going to use backhoes and try and make a fire break near the cabin.

Down by the sea said...

They should be fined when the fires get out of control. Why do they do it? Sarah x

donna baker said...

I don't know Sarah, except that they can get away with it. I do know one fact. Thirty years ago there were many quail at the farm. Now, the southeastern part of the state where I live, there are hardly any quail left.

angryparsnip said...

It was in the summer and as usual California was on fire.
It was set by a Fuc&*%%%$^#$@(& ing crazy person. I would have cut him if I ever found out who he was. I will never forgive him ever. Besides destroying so many homes he ruined so many lives of people I knew.
I have only just started buying grapes the last few years. That how strong I felt about Cesar Chavez.

donna baker said...

So many are set on purpose. CA really has bad ones. What a terrible thing to have happen.

Ry @ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards said...

I've been following the fires in Kansas, Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Tragic. Hope your cabin is OK. We had so many fires in California that were devastating. Shortly after we bought our house in the Texas Hill Country, the mailman knocked on my door and said "I thought I should make you aware that the mountain behind your house is on fire!" The firefighters were able to stop it before it came down the mountain. It was started by someone trying to clear land by burning it. So senseless!!

donna baker said...

The cabin is safe, but the woods/mountain are charred. The mountain is covered in pines and hardwoods and it happens every year. The same guy does it. They were going to fine him one year and he refused to pay. Guess it doesn't hurt being a famous country singer's brother.

Frances said...

Donna, I have been hopping back over into blogland today for a catch up. This post really angers me...how is it that so many Americans do not treasure our beautiful country? No answer required.

I will now look at your more recent posts. xo

donna baker said...

It is so tragic that people care so little for the animals and land.