Arizona Smoke in New Mexico

The smoke is so thick outside here in Albuquerque that it seems like there must be a terrible fire just around the corner. Instead, it is 400 miles away in Arizona. The air smells smoky and the sky has a terrilble orange cast that is very familiar to one who grew up in Southern California. When the Santana winds blow, fires move hot and fast across the brushlands. My parents lived in the hills and I had the pleasure of clearing brush every summer. In spite of that, they were about burned out several times. That orange sky and smoky smell have totally spooked me. One time, I drove my brother, the dogs and the parakeets out thru fire on both sides of the car. I am grateful that their house always survived and I mourn for all of those, animal, plant and human who have lost their homes and lives in those California fires and this Arizona fire.