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barkflight.bsky.social
barkflight
@barkflight.bsky.social
820 followers 1.6K following 170 posts
Watch Duty staff reporter. You probably know me from fire coverage at That Other Place. I will post many cats, many of the sports things, and occasionally quirks from the University of Illinois.
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barkflight.bsky.social
barkflight @barkflight.bsky.social · Nov 13
Journalist.
Servant to two cats.
Lifelong Californian.
Lover of casseroles.
Vegan/vegetarian.
Into science journalism.

That’s pretty much me.
barkflight.bsky.social
I wrote a short piece detailing my week learning about wildfires from experts across Southern California with 14 other journalists. This was a somber experience amid so much loss.

firehasnoseason.substack.com/p/ijnr-eyes-...
IJNR: Eyes in the sky, learning on the ground
Aboard a copter and some rickety vehicles, more than a dozen journalists hear from the wildfire experts across Southern California
firehasnoseason.substack.com
March 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by barkflight
craigcalcaterra.bsky.social
This is already coming in handy
Spam text about paying EZ Pass balance. I responded to it by pasting in texts from the Hereth group chat
March 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
I would break no fewer than four bones if I tried to ride one of those scooters. No thanks.
March 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
Also, yes, I know I don't post here much. I have an awful habit of neglecting platforms outside of X/Twitter/whatever it is now. I will try to do better.
March 26, 2025 at 12:21 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
I have a new blog coming out since I lost my previous site in a hosting snafu. Working on the first post now. This entry may have something to do with my trip with @ijnr.bsky.social earlier this month.

Also, did you know giant tour buses can go off road?
March 26, 2025 at 12:21 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
Word choice
March 18, 2025 at 10:50 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
[Actually Grok AI is pretty useful in fact checking.]

- FB comment

As the kids say, we are so cooked.
February 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Reposted by barkflight
Now that DOGE has entered FEMA, I’d like to say something about the importance of alerts and warnings. FEMA has a group called IPAWS, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, which is responsible for making sure you get warnings though all sorts of devices, basically for free. 1/
February 6, 2025 at 11:22 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
February 5, 2025 at 5:32 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
Hopefully February brings us more storms like the one expected next week. Otherwise, we will really need a March Miracle.

But not too much at once, OK? Burn scars need to rest and heal.
February 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by barkflight
sejorg.bsky.social
SEJ has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the MacArthur Foundation to strengthen climate journalism across North America! This grant is part of MacArthur’s $6 million investment in independent newsrooms and organizations dedicated to environmental reporting.

www.macfound.org/press/press-...
More than $6 Million in Support of Climate Journalism
www.macfound.org
January 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
What’s with playing some Trump statement at halftime of the CFP title game? So weird.
January 21, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Reposted by barkflight
infinitescream.bsky.social
AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
January 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
General mood

youtu.be/gGljJfnI7KU?...
Dramatic Cello Music for Peaceful Solitude
YouTube video by Nocturnal Soundscapes
youtu.be
January 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
"New fires in wind-prone areas may be uncontrollable this afternoon through Tuesday morning. High winds will likely reduce or eliminate aircraft capability. Long range spotting will render retardant and control lines ineffective ..."

— South Ops
January 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
Useful as things pick up today:

South Ops weather snooper (filtered, red flag and near-red flag stations):

www.weather.gov/lox/fwmV3?ga...
Fire Weather Snooper
www.weather.gov
January 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by barkflight
edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social
State media. Sad times.
January 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
As PR stunts go, I suppose that one was effective for some people.
January 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Reposted by barkflight
ai6yr.m.ai6yr.org.ap.brid.gy
San Diego also has PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) warnings as of 1/19/2025.

https://www.sdge.com/psps-dashboard

#wildfires #cawx #psps #poweroutages #FireWx
Blotch of orange on a map behind Encininatas indicating power will be shut off probably due to wind 83609 customers potentially affected per long list of communities on PSPS site
January 19, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by barkflight
weatherwest.bsky.social
To those claiming "This is normal for SoCal! It's always like this! There are always offshore winds in January! Vegetation dryness is irrelevant!", please reconsider your misinformation. This is intel intended directly for wildland fire personnel. #CAfire #CAwx #LAfires
weatherwest.bsky.social Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social · Jan 18
A sign of the times: Wildfire Predictive Services (in conjunction with Cal Fire and CalOES) have issued a "fuels and fire behavior advisory" for Southern California. The details are extraordinary, and highlight the relevance of unprecedented antecedent conditions. #CAwx #CAfire
Snapshot of fuels and fire behavior advisory from Southern California GACC. The first portion of the text reads: "Prolonged dry conditions, coupled with extended periods of warm, dry weather and frequent Santa Ana wind events, have caused fuels in Southern California to reach unprecedented levels of dryness The resultant level of fuel volatility would be notable in summer months, and is extraordinary for January. Recent fires have shown high resistance to control, with rapid spread and frequent spotting, with retardant often proving ineffective in the current fire environment. Little to no change in the weather pattern is expected through the end of the month, with warm, dry conditions and periodic Santa Ana winds persisting. Fuels will remain highly receptive to ignition and spread, maintaining the risk of large fires."
January 18, 2025 at 10:05 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
It exists in all of our hearts and our minds, reading to open its yawning maw to all who believe and accept the portal as their master.
January 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
barkflight.bsky.social
"Monday and Tuesday continue to look VERY concerning for the Santa Ana wind corridor of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties."

— NWS Los Angeles area forecast discussion

forecast.weather.gov/product.php?...
National Weather Service
forecast.weather.gov
January 18, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Reposted by barkflight
kalvinmacleod.bsky.social
LAPTOP: battery is critically low
ME: same
January 15, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by barkflight
skiswm.bsky.social
Hey @ai6yr.m.ai6yr.org.ap.brid.gy @barkflight.bsky.social @norcalstormchasing.bsky.social Jimmy Kimmel showing his appreciation for Watch Duty.
January 14, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Reposted by barkflight
lax.nws-bot.us
🚨 Red Flag Warning issued January 12 at 3:38PM PST until January 15 at 12:00PM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 🚨
Additional Details Here.(1/2)
...PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT 4 AM TUESDAY UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY DUE TO DAMAGING NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: WESTERN SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS/ I5 CORRIDOR/ SOUTHERN VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS/ SANTA SUSANA MOUNTAINS/ VENTURA VALLEYS (MAINLY NEAR SIMI VALLEY/MOORPARK/ SANTA PAULA/SOUTH MOUNTAIN)/ WESTERN SANTA MONICAS/ NORTHERN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY (MAINLY HIGHWAYS 118/210 CORRIDORS FROM PORTER RANCH TO SAN FERNANDO)/ VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL PLAIN (MAINLY HILLS ABOVE CAMARILLO/OXNARD WESTWARD TO VENTURA) -- THIS WILL BE A TIME PERIOD OF LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS WITH EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES THROUGH WEDNESDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR THE SANTA BARBARA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MOUNTAINS FROM 10 PM MONDAY UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY DUE TO GUSTY EASTERLY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... ***THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) FOR PORTIONS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES!*** .A long duration Red Flag Warning remains in effect through much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday, expanding into the mountains of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties by Monday night. THERE WILL LIKELY BE DAMAGING WINDS GUSTING BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE RED FLAG WARNING AREA FROM EARLY TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING, LEADING TO THE PDS RED FLAG WARNING UPGRADE. AREAS IN THE RED FLAG WARNING (ESPECIALLY DURING THE PDS TIME FRAME) WILL HAVE A HIGH RISK FOR LARGE FIRES WITH VERY RAPID FIRE SPREAD, EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR, AND LONG RANGE SPOTTING. WHILE DANGEROUS PDS RED FLAG FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY WITH THIS EVENT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING, THIS WIND EVENT IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS STRONG AND DESTRUCTIVE AS LAST WEEK'S WINDSTORM. Due to the more easterly component of the wind, much of Ventura County will likely have stronger winds than the offshore wind events this past week. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty east winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 PM Monday to noon PST Wednesday. * WINDS...Periods of east winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Daytime humidities of 10 to 20 percent common with minimal improvement at night. * IMPACTS...If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including long range spotting, which would threaten life and property. ...PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT 4 AM TUESDAY UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY DUE TO DAMAGING NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: WESTERN SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS/ I5 CORRIDOR/ SOUTHERN VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS/ SANTA SUSANA MOUNTAINS/ VENTURA VALLEYS (MAINLY NEAR SIMI VALLEY/MOORPARK/ SANTA PAULA/SOUTH MOUNTAIN)/ WESTERN SANTA MONICAS/ NORTHERN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY (MAINLY HIGHWAYS 118/210 CORRIDORS FROM PORTER RANCH TO SAN FERNANDO)/ VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL PLAIN (MAINLY HILLS ABOVE CAMARILLO/OXNARD WESTWARD TO VENTURA) -- THIS WILL BE A TIME PERIOD OF LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS WITH EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES THROUGH WEDNESDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR THE SANTA BARBARA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MOUNTAINS FROM 10 PM MONDAY UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY DUE TO GUSTY EASTERLY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... ***THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) FOR PORTIONS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES!*** .A long duration Red Flag Warning remains in effect through much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday, expanding into the mountains of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties by Monday night. THERE WILL LIKELY BE DAMAGING WINDS GUSTING BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE RED FLAG WARNING AREA FROM EARLY TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING, LEADING TO THE PDS RED FLAG WARNING UPGRADE. AREAS IN THE RED FLAG WARNING (ESPECIALLY DURING THE PDS TIME FRAME) WILL HAVE A HIGH RISK FOR LARGE FIRES WITH VERY RAPID FIRE SPREAD, EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR, AND LONG RANGE SPOTTING. WHILE DANGEROUS PDS RED FLAG FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY WITH THIS EVENT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING, THIS WIND EVENT IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS STRONG AND DESTRUCTIVE AS LAST WEEK'S WINDSTORM. Due to the more easterly component of the wind, much of Ventura County will likely have stronger winds than the offshore wind events this past week. * WINDS...Periods of northeast to east winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph on Monday, increasing to 25 to 40 mph with damaging gusts 60 to 70 mph Tuesday into Wednesday morning. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Daytime humidities of 8 to 20 percent common, driest Tuesday into Wednesday. Minimal humidity recovery expected at night. * IMPACTS...If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including long range spotting, which would threaten life and property. ...PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT 4 AM TUESDAY UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY DUE TO DAMAGING NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: WESTERN SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS/ I5 CORRIDOR/ SOUTHERN VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS/ SANTA SUSANA MOUNTAINS/ VENTURA VALLEYS (MAINLY NEAR SIMI VALLEY/MOORPARK/ SANTA PAULA/SOUTH MOUNTAIN)/ WESTERN SANTA MONICAS/ NORTHERN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY (MAINLY HIGHWAYS 118/210 CORRIDORS FROM PORTER RANCH TO SAN FERNANDO)/ VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL PLAIN (MAINLY HILLS ABOVE CAMARILLO/OXNARD WESTWARD TO VENTURA) -- THIS WILL BE A TIME PERIOD OF LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS WITH EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES THROUGH WEDNESDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR THE SANTA BARBARA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MOUNTAINS FROM 10 PM MONDAY UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY DUE TO GUSTY EASTERLY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... ***THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) FOR PORTIONS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES!*** .A long duration Red Flag Warning remains in effect through much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday, expanding into the mountains of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties by Monday night. THERE WILL LIKELY BE DAMAGING WINDS GUSTING BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE RED FLAG WARNING AREA FROM EARLY TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING, LEADING TO THE PDS RED FLAG WARNING UPGRADE. AREAS IN THE RED FLAG WARNING (ESPECIALLY DURING THE PDS TIME FRAME) WILL HAVE A HIGH RISK FOR LARGE FIRES WITH VERY RAPID FIRE SPREAD, EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR, AND LONG RANGE SPOTTING. WHILE DANGEROUS PDS RED FLAG FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY WITH THIS EVENT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING, THIS WIND EVENT IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS STRONG AND DESTRUCTIVE AS LAST WEEK'S WINDSTORM. Due to the more easterly component of the wind, much of Ventura County will likely have stronger winds than the offshore wind events this past week. * WINDS...Periods of northeast TO east winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph on Monday, increasing to 25 to 40 mph with damaging gusts to 60 mph Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Some particular locations of greatest concern include the hills above Camarillo/Oxnard extending westward to Ventura, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Paula, South Mountain, and Highway 118/210 corridors extending from Porter Ranch to San Fernando. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Daytime humidities of 8 to 20 percent common, driest Tuesday into Wednesday. Minimal humidity recovery expected at night. * IMPACTS...If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including long range spotting, which would threaten life and property. ...PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT 4 AM TUESDAY UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY DUE TO DAMAGING NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: WESTERN SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS/ I5 CORRIDOR/ SOUTHERN VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS/ SANTA SUSANA MOUNTAINS/ VENTURA VALLEYS (MAINLY NEAR SIMI VALLEY/MOORPARK/ SANTA PAULA/SOUTH MOUNTAIN)/ WESTERN SANTA MONICAS/ NORTHERN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY (MAINLY HIGHWAYS 118/210 CORRIDORS FROM PORTER RANCH TO SAN FERNANDO)/ VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL PLAIN (MAINLY HILLS ABOVE CAMARILLO/OXNARD WESTWARD TO VENTURA) -- THIS WILL BE A TIME PERIOD OF LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS WITH EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES THROUGH WEDNESDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... ...RED FLAG WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR THE SANTA BARBARA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MOUNTAINS FROM 10 PM MONDAY UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY DUE TO GUSTY EASTERLY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES... ***THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) FOR PORTIONS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES!*** .A long duration Red Flag Warning remains in effect through much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday, expanding into the mountains of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties by Monday night. THERE WILL LIKELY BE DAMAGING WINDS GUSTING BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE RED FLAG WARNING AREA FROM EARLY TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING, LEADING TO THE PDS RED FLAG WARNING UPGRADE. AREAS IN THE RED FLAG WARNING (ESPECIALLY DURING THE PDS TIME FRAME) WILL HAVE A HIGH RISK FOR LARGE FIRES WITH VERY RAPID FIRE SPREAD, EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR, AND LONG RANGE SPOTTING. WHILE DANGEROUS PDS RED FLAG FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY WITH THIS EVENT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING, THIS WIND EVENT IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS STRONG AND DESTRUCTIVE AS LAST WEEK'S WINDSTORM. Due to the more easterly component of the wind, much of Ventura County will likely have stronger winds than the offshore wind events this past week. * WINDS...Periods of northeast to east winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts 35 to 50 mph on Monday, increasing to 25 to 35 mph with gusts 40 to 55 mph Tuesday into Wednesday morning. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Daytime humidities of 8 to 20 percent common, driest Tuesday into Wednesday. Minimal humidity recovery expected at night. * IMPACTS...If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including long range spotting, which would threaten life and property.
January 12, 2025 at 11:45 PM