Weather

[niemeyjt]

Go East! - to rework the Village People song. Today we are forecast 30 - lower even that the UK.

It is nice - except the bize seems to have picked up - so cannot open windows too far.

[Sparkle]

Temp was rising quite quickly here this morning and at the moment it's 80F and no breeze - too hot for me and guess it's going to hotter during the afternoon - my winter hot water bottle is filled with cold water and in the fridge ready for me to walk around with to cool off - the ice woman cometh

[manonthemoon2]

What a great idea Sparkle

[Sparkle]

@manonthemoon2 actually I have two in the fridge one is to rest my feet on when I sit down and ooooooooh it's lovely cos I do and always have had hot feet even in winter

[Bayleaf]

Deux feux en Gironde: About 1300 ha destroyed already. I always wonder how many fires are started by human "error or design".

Fire en Gironde.jpg

I remember a few years ago, when we had hot, dry, conditions - we were telling any holiday home owners to avoid using any naked flames - BBQ, candles etc. outdoors.

[niemeyjt]

I remember a few years ago, when we had hot, dry, conditions - we were telling any holiday home owners to avoid using any naked flames - BBQ, candles etc. outdoors.

And then the Army conducted a live-fire exercise - literally.

I think many Greek wildfires are set to overcome planning laws certainly - but not sure that applies in France.

Maybe the time has come to undertake similar anti-fire measures as they do in US?

[Blaze]

I always wonder how many fires are started by human "error or design".

A large percentage by all accounts, by carelessness or intent. Some are even alleged to be started by disgruntled or warped pompiers. The problem is that whilst the fire experts can often determine the cause of the fire, identifying the culprit is almost impossible.
The vast pine forests of the Landes/Aquitaine have always been at risk so it comes as no surprise to see there are fires there.

Many years ago, sheep and goats grazed the garrigues in the south, reducing the undergrowth under trees, which apparently reduces the spread of fires. This practice hasn't been carried out for years.
@niemeyjt I don't know whether fires are started to overcome planning laws in France, but with the massive amount of building that's taken place in recent years in rural areas of the south, these properties are going to be hugely at risk of fires in the future.

[niemeyjt]

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/F ... r-wildfire

Not in keeping with "no mow May" - but on the positive side, lots of work for @Bayleaf and her gang!

[niemeyjt]

Having said about mowing, on Radio 4 yesterday morning they mentioned a fire in Essex believed to have been started when a combine header hit a flint and made a spark. A mower hitting a flint would do the same, I suspect.

[ajm]

We have got clouds this morning _ almost forgotten what they look like.