FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Fire near flatiron?

["Ken Reeves" <kreeves@xxxxxxxxx>]

I left home about 7:00 to head out to Flatiron.  On the way out through
Wickenberg, I noticed what appeared to be a thick high cloud, but kind of
looked like smoke.  By the time I got to Wickenberg, it was dark enough that
I couldn't really see what was going on, so I continued on toward Flatiron. 
As I got closer, I could definitely smell smoke and noticed much haze in my
headlights and those of oncoming vehicles.  I stopped at the dirt road and
itwas the strangest phenomenon, the stars overhead were fairly clear, but
youcouldn't see any of the light of Phoenix!.  The smell of smoke was very
strong at this point but I couldn't see any fire.  At this point, I decided
to turn around and head back rather that work through the smoke or try to
find another place closer to Wickenberg.

One thing I really want to emphasize to all us astronomers is be very
carefulwhere you park, especially if you arrive after dark.  All that green
growth is now turning brown, and it won't take much to start a fire from a
hot catalytic converter.

I know all of us are careful and concerned, but it is hard to see where dry
grass is in the dark.

Good luck for anyone going out tomorrow (Saturday).  I already have previous
commitments, so I won't make it.

Ken Reeves

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