Here we go again. Last year, lightning strikes in mid-August sparked 650 wildfires burning more than 2.5 million acres in Northern California. The late-night lightning and thunder show was quite impressive. Little did anyone know that it would lead to such devastation. In early September skies over the San Francisco Bay Area, and much of Northern California, turned an apocalyptic orange. Day became night almost instantaneously, or, more precisely, night never became day. It is hazy today, but air quality remains good. AQI (air quality index) is top of mind, surpassing, perhaps, positivity rates as the key local indicator. The Dixie Fire commenced on July 13, 2021, and in addition to now engulfing 679 square miles, has now blanketed the Lake Tahoe area with smoke. A rafting trip, a few weeks ago, down the South Fork of the American River, in the Sierra foothills, could not have been better timed. AQI there is now 173 (unhealthy). It is probably a matter of time before this smoke finds its way to the San Francisco Bay Area. Ugh.
Wildfires have become a regular occurrence here since at least 2018, when the Camp Fire engulfed Paradise and polluted the air of much of the northern part of our state. To escape an AQI of 200, one Friday, we drove down to San Simeon, on the central coast, for a 28 AQI. Our motel was a stone’s throw away from the rugged coast. The air was cool and fresh. We enjoyed breakfast in Cambria, one of the most charming small towns in California. It was perfect. A road trip last summer to Gold Beach, Oregon was motivated, in large part, by identifying the county with the lowest COVID positivity rate. I have always been practical, but, seemingly, am even more so now.
It is time to buy masks again, albeit KN95s, to filter out PM 2.5. These will be useful for indoor settings as well, given the new mandates (for indoor settings) promulgated by Bay Area counties. Still, I should be thankful. Some places, like Vietnam, remain on lockdown, with trips permitted only to walk your dog, buy groceries, or go to the doctor. If someone on your floor has tested positive, functionally you are under house arrest, prohibited from leaving your apartment for any reason, unless the local ministry approves. Groceries are delivered to you. Locally, there is talk of booster shots, particularly to those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (now, to be supplemented by a shot of either Pfizer or Moderna).
As intimated in my posts earlier this summer, knowing what is around the corner (namely, the wildfires), we might as well enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. A last-minute visit to Thornton State Beach (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=530) in Daly City, just south of San Francisco was prescient (and enjoyable). The trail to the beach is gradual, in sharp contrast to some of the trails at Fort Funston just north. The beach is long and wide, with the Farallon Islands visible to the west, Mount Tamalpais and the Marin Headlands to the north, and Pacifica and Montara Mountain to the south. It was a warm afternoon, light breeze, unusual for the coast, but welcomed nonetheless. Be mindful of the big picture, but focus on the small opportunities, seems to be the message of the day. Vigilance remains critical, but so does being thoughtful as we continue to try to strike the right balance during these unprecedented times.
Comments welcomed.
The Peninsula Hiking Club 