Please post any follow-up that you learn about local bird loss. I follow the air quality numbers and wonder about the impact on the local birds and animals. Clearly they are "sensitive groups" that are being impacted through no fault on their part.
I’ve lived in Portland OR and Vancouver WA for decades, and I remember the heat dome we had and the wildfire smoke that choked us and all of life. Even the plants were affected. The memories of disaster are short when it comes understanding climate change and accepting it as real and urgent. We have been doing the work to make our forests more resilient but we lack the resources to truly make us safe. We are again having fires in Eastern Oregon that have closed roads and businesses. Memory is often short term.
My husband walked our 2 11yr old dogs on Thursday. He decided to stay home, not driving & working from home. I said what about the girls (our dogs), as he walked them wearing an N95 mask? I had such concern for their lungs, especially as they breathe, panting & sniffing while walking. Our backyard feeders & baths were empty. What was happening to all of the birds & squirrels in our neighborhood; they have no refuge to hide in. What are we to do???
Please post any follow-up that you learn about local bird loss. I follow the air quality numbers and wonder about the impact on the local birds and animals. Clearly they are "sensitive groups" that are being impacted through no fault on their part.
Soul crushing.
Bob - Your story is so good! The wildfires are a real thing. For a similar perspective, hop over and read my post from July 20, 2026 https://theasheldon.substack.com/p/sitting-with-the-haze
Great minds! - Thea
I’ve lived in Portland OR and Vancouver WA for decades, and I remember the heat dome we had and the wildfire smoke that choked us and all of life. Even the plants were affected. The memories of disaster are short when it comes understanding climate change and accepting it as real and urgent. We have been doing the work to make our forests more resilient but we lack the resources to truly make us safe. We are again having fires in Eastern Oregon that have closed roads and businesses. Memory is often short term.
My husband walked our 2 11yr old dogs on Thursday. He decided to stay home, not driving & working from home. I said what about the girls (our dogs), as he walked them wearing an N95 mask? I had such concern for their lungs, especially as they breathe, panting & sniffing while walking. Our backyard feeders & baths were empty. What was happening to all of the birds & squirrels in our neighborhood; they have no refuge to hide in. What are we to do???