haze

Everything smells like smoke and dust. The air is thick with it, pressed down by the cooler air. A flood of 911 calls overloaded the system this morning because everyone left the house for work and immediately smelled the burning. But it was just the ghosts of the other fires. The authorities have issued warnings, telling people to avoid outdoor activities and to stay inside if possible. I walked to the mail box and it was enough to give me a headache.

It was sort of exciting to open the back door this morning and find it was cooler outside than inside. I left the door open until the neighbors behind us came outside with their child who is very noisy.

Two bodies have been found in Bastrop. It's hard to imagine this thing didn't kill more people. They are starting to make some progress containing the edges of the Bastrop fire. There's a lot of political wrangling going on about whether anyone is going to send federal aid, which is depressing as hell. Governor Good Hair took off to resume his campaigning for President.

I am trying to be as normal as I can.

It is amazing how brightly and fiercely the cedar burns. Like the bright burning of a chemical fire. I've been saving photos from the picture feed on the newspaper's site.