Hum, I think I smell smoke

SwampFox · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject: Hum, I think I smell smoke

There is a strong smoke smell outside. It is 2 hours drive to the big fire.... This is really something, 3,000 square miles and still burning with no "under control" in sight. Evil or Very Mad

Whole states are not allowed to catch on fire and burn down, it is bad for global warming... Very Happy

Ed

Morax · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Hum, I think I smell smoke

i got relitives that live in south florida, and they were telling me it is hazy and hard to breathe and the smell of a campfire is all over, and they are 8 hours away from anything!!

rdncktink · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: Hum, I think I smell smoke

California burns down at least once every 5 years and we always rebuild. You'ld think the people would learn but NOOOOO they go and rebuild in the same place year after year after year after year......... We got I think that said a 30% snow pack so we're in for a "hot" summer.

glockman55 · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Hum, I think I smell smoke

We drove back from Florida last Sat. Got Re-Routed, I-75 was closed from Gainesville to Valdosta, Ga. about a 2 hour longer drive. Got to see some different scenery though..

Bushmaster · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: Hum, I think I smell smoke

But Georgia and Florida are green...How can they burn? Not to mention that Florida is mostly swamp....Right SWAMPfox?

I just don't understand how you can have a fire that big. I can see it out west where even the trees are volitile. Fur, pine and cedar are like gasoline during a draught. But Florida and Georgia??

Next time they have a major forest fire out west take a close look as to how high the flames are. I fought a fire in the Northwest when I was younger where the fire jumped from tree top to tree top and these were 100 to 150 foot trees. Ever had it rain fire on you?

Hope all are getting out of the way and safely...

ElyBoy · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Hum, I think I smell smoke

I used to fight forest fires with my brush cat for the Forest Service.
I hate forest fires, but I LOVE the smell of the Northern Minnesota woods when the fire is burning.
Swamp fires down South must have an entirely different smell than our big timber ones.
I have sympathy for you guys down there.
Ours is 50% under control, with cool air today.

Eric

keetoowah · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Hum, I think I smell smoke

[quote="Bushmaster"]But Georgia and Florida are green...How can they burn? Not to mention that Florida is mostly swamp....Right SWAMPfox?

I just don't understand how you can have a fire that big. I can see it out west where even the trees are volitile. Fur, pine and cedar are like gasoline during a draught. But Florida and Georgia??

The woods there have a denser pitch in them and sap, more water vapor in the wood itself that turns to steam quicker.
You also have to take in the consideration of the high air heat temps that exist there, that helps in the raising the combustabiliaty of the flash points of the woods that are burning.
The high humidity gives extra oxygen to the fire and makes them burn actually longer and hotter.
Thats why when you live down there they have all the restrictions.

They do smell different than Minnesota woods.
Just like the pine in Texas smells different than the pine here Montana
its been my experience to make a fire back home in the south is easier than here. burns sooo very much longer too.
thought it was the elevation difference, but then I applied physics.

keetoowah · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Hum, I think I smell smoke

ElyBoy wrote:

ISwamp fires down South must have an entirely different smell than our big timber ones.
I have sympathy for you guys down there.
Ours is 50% under control, with cool air today.

Eric

swamps have gases from all the decaying plant matter its more volatile
more flammable

keetoowah · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: Hum, I think I smell smoke

and as I was reminded earlier by my babe

in the swamps one of the most explosive gases is Methane.
that could be why it smells diff huh?