Seems We Missed the Burning "Window"

 

Open burning wasn't allowed during the Spring of 2020 because of COVID-19, and officials had hoped banning burning would keep air cleaner for victims of the virus.

The prunings just kept piling up and piling up, waiting for the Fall burning period.  Tree damage from storms added to the pile...and a concern began that we were providing a haven for a rodent infestation.

Well, the Fall burning period was announced to begin on Saturday, October 17th (and ending on Saturday, October 31st), but we were still up-limbing evergreen and maple trees so that golf course mowers could pass beneath their branches.  Days and days of hauling prunings over 15 acres to the burning pile and we were almost ready, despite the area having received 2.5 inches of rain over the previous four days. 

Slash burning began in the uplands areas of the Coldstream Valley on Tuesday or Wednesday, but we still weren't ready.

Slash burning in the hills

And our pile continued to grow.

The pile grew and grew, in all directions

The weather forecast on Thursday October 22nd warned of  90%  S N O W (yes, snow) on Friday... today.

So...here we are.  Leaves still on trees, some yellow, some green, now heavy with snow.

And it's still snowing.

Accuweather warns that overnight temperatures Saturday will dip to -11C!  

 

We did manage to get the irrigation water meter and in-line fixtures disconnected after the irrigation blow out last week...all are now in the clubhouse, safe from freezing temperatures.

odd-looking replacement meter installed recently by DoC

So...

 

The view from the family room this morning...

No comment on that dismal view through the window...

Wayyyyyy too early for snow!