Which way is the wind blowing this Monday morning? Are we struggling under the densest smoke imaginable or sputtering under the more transparent variety—–that is the question.

...Glory Hallelujah! We’re perched on the edge of the two. It’s a breather! The fires have burned 940,000 acres and destroyed 26 homes as of July 21, 2008. But here in the shadow of Mount Shasta some of us are still hoping for a miraculous end to the fires, even the ones that are 0% contained.

I have to admit, though, Last week was one, tough seven-day stretch of ugly orange air for the State of Jefferson. Driven skyward by unchecked wildfires, particulate matter sent air quality readings off the charts, breaking some of the equipment I’m told. But look on the bright side, folks– at least we don’t have the West Nile Virus breathing down our necks.

I’m not kidding, sad to say. Although I’m not a fan of releasing poisons into our atmosphere, Malathion spraying in Sacramento, California had to be postponed because of concerns that airborne particulate matter from wildfires would bind with this synthetic insecticide, making it ineffective against the offending pests.

In plain language, folks, the air just wasn’t pure enough to handle another toxin–you know, the adulticide toxin that kills the mosquito that breeds in the waters of abandoned swimming pools that host the eggs that hatch into larvae, that become the pupae, that morph into adults that suck on the birds that carry the virus that loves the saliva that breeds in the glands and oozes into hosts during blood-meal feedings. Ugh! What a disgusting thought! Being a southern girl, blood-meal feeding sounds all too familiar.

Nevermind, though. Let’s divert ourselves with the life cycle of a mosquito:

• egg – hatches when exposed to water–water like the kind left standing in the abandoned swimming pools of foreclosed homes of Sacramento and Stockton, California.
• larva – (plural. – larvae) lives in the brackish water, molting periodically, most species surfacing to breathe air.
• pupa – (plural – pupae) does not feed while enjoying the brackish water, just hangs out dreaming of the many wonderful blood-feedings to come.
• adult – flies a short time after emerging from the foreclosed backyards after its body parts have hardened enough to stand feeble, uncommitted swattings.

And so ends and begins another sad tale–The West Nile Virus. The truth is, fatal brain swelling plagues have been around for some time: There’s La Crosse, Northway, Main Drain, and Lokern viruses, as well as Western equine encephalitis. I guess Missouri doesn’t conjure up as much excitement as West Nile, Africa, but St. Louis Encephalitis hits about 160 North Americans a year, killing about 20% of them. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), 4,651 cases of St. Louis Encephalitis were reported throughout the United States from 1964 to 2005. But could we have some current data, oh benevolent controllers?

Moving on. It wasn’t till recently that the West NIle Virus became a large part of our plague-fearing consciousness. The truth is, though, the virus was discovered way back in 1937 in the afore mentioned West Nile district of Uganda. People got more antsy, however, when it started killing New Yorkers. In August of 1999, there were 62 confirmed human cases and 7 deaths. Presently, the virus is spreading across the United States, as determined by the CDC’s surveillance of birds.

Speaking of which, how are those Condors? You know, the practically extinct massive birds made homeless by wildfires down in Big Sur. What did they do in the face of approaching flames and smoke?

“It’s incredible”, says Kelly Sorenson. “They did just what they’re supposed to do. The birds found fresh air, and food: a beached whale and decaying California sea lion at the edge of Big Sur’s cliffs. After the blaze swept through the area, many even returned home.” Sorenson is the executive director with the Ventana Wildlife Society– the only nonprofit in California dedicated to preparing captive-bred condors for life in the wild. The folks of Ventana even use hand puppets to teach the newborns.

This was a test of the highest caliber for these pampered Condors, and they came through with flying colors. Two birds are missing, sad to say: a chick that had been in a nest high in a redwood tree and another older condor that was released into the wild two years ago.

Thanks to quick action by the U.S. Coast Guard, however, seven chicks and the older mentor Condor were saved. With roads impassable, helicoppters airlifted the birds out in two trips through thick smoke and approaching flames.

Can we have a round of applause for these heroes, please!: Pilot, Lt. Harry Greene, aviation maintenance technician, Casey Michaelson and Lt. Brad Donaldson, on loan to the Coast Guard from the Royal Australian Navy. And we shouldn’t forget the Ventana Wildlife Society volunteers, Mike Tyner and Henry Bonifas, a VWS wildlife biologist and intern biologist, respectively.

Let’s have a round of thank-you SendOutCards for everyone involved, including Governor Schwarzenegger for making his vote to save the Condors known. The more cards, the merrier. It’s no big deal on my part. The Great Printer in Salt Lake does all the work. For more information about SendOutCards click here.

But while we’re at it, could we have another round of applause for all the brave firefighters? Thank you, thank you, thank you, for putting your life and lungs on the line for us. We have no words for your valor.

Laura, signing off.