California is burning

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by Boog

After a big burn off how long does it take for the ground cover to grow back and become a threat to fuel the next fires?

It depends on so many factors. Local weather patterns, soil makeup, what was burned & intensity of the fire. Charred remains of partially burned trees are a great source of fuel for the next big burn. Some reforestation takes place but a lot is left to nature, and around here that means most regrowth is just brush. The visible burn scars can remain for decades. There's really no simple answer.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

Need more frequent smaller fires, or some other way to control the fuel load.

From what I've seen in coastal CA, most of those hills are so steep that there's little that can be done. But according to the legends, they used to graze cattle on those hills (?).

Yes, but they don't look like your cattle in the Dakotas. These have different length legs from side to side so that they stand level on the mountain sides.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Yes, but they don't look like your cattle in the Dakotas. These have different length legs from side to side so that they stand level on the mountain sides.

I've heard of those sidehill cows. Trouble is you have to make sure all of your herd has the long legs on the same side so they don't meet each other head to head and starve to death because they can't pass each other.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

I've heard of those sidehill cows. Trouble is you have to make sure all of your herd has the long legs on the same side so they don't meet each other head to head and starve to death because they can't pass each other.

So true! You know how the herding instinct works, they'd walk right up to each other and stay there. When I was in the Navy, one of my buddies (who was from Oklahoma) and I were going over to some mountains to climb. We went over a cattle guard(?) the thing with the pipes in the ground. He told me about being careful driving up on cattle, because they will walk out in front of due to the herding instinct. I grew up in the sticks (well, sagebrush), but hadn't had any experience with cattle.

[1976gmc20]

hadn't had any experience with cattle

Best to steer clear, then

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

Best to steer clear, then

yep, moove over

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

yep, moove over

I feel like I'm being herded into something, here.

[GOPAPA]

I am not giving out names ,.but I was informed last night that a mother who is maybe a what you would call the Montriarc of her family is looking of taking her kids and husbands and wives and moving out of California to another state,, She is looking for acreage of about 10-?? acres to relocate and then each sibbling rebuild on the land she buys .. They all would sell out and move to the new location that they all agree on ..
I was ask for what we have to offer in my local... aint that something ?

[Stocker]

That's big news all right, but probably not a shocker, Larry..... So many people are talking about getting out of California for a variety of reasons. No clue how many will actually make the move. For some of us it's easier said than done, also for a variety of reasons. I say more power to 'em though, I hope they can find a place that makes 'em happy.

[1976gmc20]

Just don't move to Montana. It's awful here

[Boog]

They say the fence building business is BIG in Arizona.

[best view]

Yup N.H. would be bad choice too we skate on our ponds half the year

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by best view

Yup N.H. would be bad choice too we skate on our ponds half the year

Got my woodstove lit. 47 ° outside 73° in the house . Pretty soon the stove will be going 24/7 ,unless you like gathering wood year round NY isnt a good choice either

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Got my woodstove lit. 47 ° outside 73° in the house . Pretty soon the stove will be going 24/7 ,unless you like gathering wood year round NY isnt a good choice either

I bought a semi-load (50K pounds) of pine logs last fall. I'm still trying to get it all cut up and stacked so it can dry out. We got a new stove this fall so hopefully we are 2-3 years ahead on the wood.

[Stocker]

We haven't fired up the wood stove yet. Had some 40 degree mornings, 60 inside the house, ran the Monitor just enough to knock the chill off. Typically once the weather cools off, we'll have a wood fire 24/7 until it's time to clean out the stove and brush the flue.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by Stocker

We haven't fired up the wood stove yet. Had some 40 degree mornings, 60 inside the house, ran the Monitor just enough to knock the chill off. Typically once the weather cools off, we'll have a wood fire 24/7 until it's time to clean out the stove and brush the flue.

Kinda of the same here. Usually I start it on Halloween and it runs near non stop til the end of March.

Ive always scavenged wood. A truckload here and there. Have a half cord of Almond, Acacia and some really dry Doug Fir. A cord of Live Oak still needs splitting and a year of drying. Gotta get a couple more loads to be set for the year.

Hey Mike, what in the heck is a Monitor? Furnace? Kero heater?

[Stocker]

It's a vented kerosene heater, pretty nice unit for what it is. They are obsolete now so parts & service are rare as chicken's lips.
We bought ours in the early 1990s. Had it serviced once several years back.

Pic is not mine, I found it on the 'net.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by Stocker

It's a vented kerosene heater, pretty nice unit for what it is. They are obsolete now so parts & service are rare as chicken's lips.
We bought ours in the early 1990s. Had it serviced once several years back.

Pic is not mine, I found it on the 'net.

Ahh, yes, I think Ive seen them before only way older. Didn't know what they were called. IIRC, my friends dad had one growing up. It vented through a sash window in the living room. Their house always stayed toasty.

[Stocker]

We have the Monitor against an outside wall (required b/c of venting) in the family room -- wood stove across the room near the dining room & kitchen -- and baseboard electric through the rest of the house.
Rarely use the baseboard heaters. If the house gets too cool, it's not for a lack of heat sources.

Woodshed is full, 150 gallon kerosene tank is full.... I think we're set. Bring on winter!

['63GENIII]

Sounds like youre good to go Mike!

Ive gotra make it up to my wood stash in the gills to grab one more load and Im dialed in I think. A couple of properties next to us just sold and will be built up soon. They have at least 20 big Eucalyptus on them that will be coming down. Think ill need to get a log deck ready to receive them!