Do NOT look directly at this evenings' solar eclipse; it can and will cause permanent damage to your eyes. And, having to wear corrective lenses for the past 45 years, i can tell you that it's not fun. Special eclipse viewing "sun glasses" are available at McGuckin's Hardware here in Boulder - they were the only folks who thought to order, and/or stock up on, these very unusual, and specially-constructed items. These glasses allow one to look directly at the solar eclipse, and are in great demand, as CU has opened Folsom Field, the football stadium, as a viewing and party area. The Field makes a perfect viewing spot, as the sun will sink directly opposite the stadium, behind the mountains. - And, speaking of the mountains, while we had rain and drizzle yesterday, the Indian Peaks and Mount Audubon all have fresh new mantles of snow.
Our wildfire in Poudre Canyon is now about 85% contained, except on the north side... the fire has burned nearly 8,000 acres. Yesterday's light rain helped damp the fire down, but as the fires are in areas without roads, it made travel difficult for those fire-fighters hiking in to try to control the fire - mud, slippery slopes, loose stones, etc. We have had over 600 fire-fighters on the ground, as well as several large tankers dropping water and slurry. Wildfires also have charred terrain in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah.
*In Nevada, a fire grew to 27 square miles and threatened sage grouse and mule deer habitat. No homes were in danger, and no injuries were reported. The blaze was about 50 percent contained Saturday and remains under investigation.
*In Arizona, slowing winds aided firefighters battling three major blazes. The state's largest fire, the Sunflower Fire, continued to burn about 16,600 acres just north of Mesa. Officials say nearly 600 firefighters helped keep it from spreading. A 10-mph breeze helped 900 firefighters get the Gladiator Fire below 13,000 acres and 10 percent contained. The Bull Flat Fire, which has struck more than 2,000 acres in the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, was about 80 percent contained.
*In New Mexico, crews battled a lightning-caused fire that has scorched 545 acres in the Gila National Forest in the southwestern part of the state. No structures were at risk, and no injuries were reported. About seven trails remained closed in the forest and more than 110 firefighters around the state were helping battle the blaze Saturday.
*In Utah, rain and cooler temperatures helped slow a wildfire that burned nearly 2 square miles in the western part of the state. Firefighters contained the blaze late Friday. No structures were threatened, and no injuries were reported. Authorities say the fire was sparked accidentally Thursday by a passing car.
*In Southern Oregon, crews worked Saturday to extinguish a 462-acre wildfire near the California and Nevada borders. The fire eight miles east of Lakeview, Oregon, near Highway 140 was not immediately threatening people or property, but firefighters said they were concerned hot spots could ignite later in the fire season. The fire is believed to be human-caused and is burning on private land and in the Fremont-Winema National Forest.
And, going back to the thoroughbreds.... I'll Have Another has come out of the Preakness in fine shape, and will be heading for Belmont Park (and the Belmont Stakes) in New York. He will try to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978, when Florida-bred Affirmed won it, under teenage jockey Steve Cauthen. Connections for Dullahan, Hansen, and Union Rags have said that they plan to run against the chestnut colt in the Belmont. ... OK, so I picked I'll Have Another - because I like his looks and his pedigree. My other three choices finished 6th, 7th, and 8th - so they weren't good bets. The complete order of finish for the Preakness was: I'll Have Another, Bodemeister, Creative Cause, (4) Zetterholm, (5) Teeth of the Dog, (6) Optimizer, (7) Cozzetti, (8)Tiger Walk, (9) Daddy Nose Best, (10) Went the Day Well, and (11) Pretension. Attendance at the Preakness was 121,309 (another new record), and, during the 13 races on the card, visitors made $80,463,005.00 in bets.
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