So Just How Dry Is It Out There?

[MountainDon]

Dry enough for the entire Santa Fe National Forest here in NM to go under stage III fire restrictions. Stage III is closure to the general public. So with that most of the National Forest lands in NM are closed to all. Some National Parks lands are also shuttered and the State is closing some places too. There are exceptions for fishing along rivers and streams and a couple of capgrounds along the paved highway are still listed as open. But wandering around many of the 4x4 roads is off limits.

It will be unusually quiet up there when we head back to the cabin.

[dug]

So dry here that spontaneous combustion seems a real possibility. Talked to my brother in Tucson and he said the entire Coronado Nat. forest is closed. No camping, no hiking, no driving- nothing!

[peternap]

Unfortunately, it's dry here too despite a really wet spring and recent storms. The storms have been short and spotty and it's been hot enough to wick the moisture up as soon as it hits.

The farmers creed:
Too hot
Too cold
Too wet
Too dry

[muldoon]

Over three millions acres in Texas lost to fire this year in more than 12,000 wildfires 

Here is an article I read a few days ago. 
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7618442.html#ixzz1Pq8TYqZq

How about this for how dry it is: 
"The fire started when a motorist hauling a trailer pulled off the road with a hot wheel bearing, which then ignited dry grass nearby, officials said."


My place in the country has not had any appreciable rain since last August.  The grass which normally would be waist high is not even above ankle.  cattle folks are having a hard time with this. 

[Pine Cone]

About 62 inches of rain since September 1, 2010.  Hasn't rained here since this morning

I'd be glad to send you some if we could work out the shipping

[MountainDon]

It's a dang shame.

[considerations]

Hay and alfalfa just jumped in price - up $55 a ton.  Ouch.  Demand has jumped to supply ranchers who were able to graze their herds previously.  We had a wet, cool spring again but most of the hay and alfalfa comes from eastern Washington and Nevada. There is very little production growing around here.

[rick91351]

If you can find hay at $55 that is a bargain.  Here in the Boise Valley local grown alfalfa hay from the guy I usually buy from told me he is getting $125 a ton,  alfalfa grass mix down around $115 a ton, and mostly grass $100 at ton or what ever he can get for it.  That is small bale price, his small bales are around 100 pounds.  Have not priced big bales at all.

Couple adds of yesterdays Craigslist
http://boise.craigslist.org/grd/2461255144.html
http://boise.craigslist.org/grd/2460323252.html


 

[considerations]

Whoops - I guess I should have been more clear:

Hay and alfalfa just jumped in price - up $55 a ton, I was paying about 245, now 300.  125 a ton would be heaven.

[gandalfthegrey]

Whoa   

I am paying 14.50 per 110# bale that sounds like 290 per ton.  Ship me yours I think it would be less overall.

[peternap]

I'm giving mine away

[rick91351]

Around here south western Idaho and eastern Oregon down low in the valleys and foot hills the grasses like cheat and foxtail have headed out of course and are becoming very dry with the rains leaving.  They might be a couple weeks behind normal.  However because of the rains that would not stop; range grasses are very plentiful and the fuel load appears to be way above normal in most areas.   

Wow Considerations I knew hay costs more up there, but twice as much!  Holy Cow!!  But then it is trucked or imported from exotic places like Moses Lake, Walla Walla, Yakama Washington - Hermiston Oregon and even from Fairfeild, Idaho.  So $300 would be in line with freight and handling.  Around here it is jumping up more now.....