Shifting winds

Just a quick update on the fires this morning...

Winds shifted overnight to carry the fires more to the north of us, though with things still blowing at 30mph or so (and gusting up to 60mph), the situation is an evolving one. Very smokey today, with a little ash being carried on the wind.

So far, the blaze has burned nearly 2,500 acres, though thanks to great work by more than 500 firefighters, not a single home has been destroyed.

The fire is still classified as "out of control," but they've reduced the warnings to "watch and act," meaning there is no eminent threat in our area. Fortunately for us, the house is in the middle of a residential neighborhood, and the fires have so far been kept from jumping from the scrubby area surrounding the district to where there are buildings. Fingers crossed that holds.

The fire as of this morning. We are southeast of Menai, above the area that says "Bangor Bypass."

Nonetheless, the smoke has forced many folks, including one of the daughters and her family to leave the area. I'm going to follow suit and head into the city, leaving a bag packed at the door in case things go bad and Paul decides to leave the house after he gets home from golf this afternoon.

I will be sure to keep everyone posted, but know that for the next few hours I will be far out of the fire zone.

The view from our street this morning.