“Fires rage in Northern California”

Fifteen wildfires raged across Northern California killing at least 10 people and burning more than 1,500 homes and businesses, authorities said. The fires burned into the night Monday with flames ripping through the lush, picturesque landscape. More than 100 people were being treated at area hospitals for fire-related injuries or health issues, including burns, smoke inhalation and shortness of breath. More than 20,000 people evacuated, some with little notice. Authorities have not said what caused the fires but noted dry conditions made it easy for the fires to spread. October is typically the busiest month for wildfires in California, they said. Complicating firefighting efforts were low humidity and a lack of resources, Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann said Monday. The wildfires have burned more than 119,032 acres in California. The fires ignited Sunday night and spread with explosive speed because of dry conditions. With blazes fueled by strong winds reaching up to 50 mph, firefighters were dealing with "extreme rates of spread and volatile burning conditions," according to Cal Fire.

In Other News To recognize Indigenous Peoples Day — celebrated as a Columbus Day counterpoint to honor Native Americans — the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia invited members of the Mohawk tribe, from upstate New York, to perform a variety of traditional dances. An entire room of the museum’s permanent exhibition is devoted to the Oneida Indian Nation, which sided with the rebel colonists during the Revolutionary War.  The Oneida tribe was part of the Iroquois Confederacy, most of whose members sided with the British. “It was almost like a civil war between our own people,” said Jordan Smith, a Mohawk who performed at the Museum. https://whyy.org/articles/indigenous-people-recount-role-revolutionary-war/ Not everyone in the Delaware Valley is enjoying the summer-like temperatures of late. New Jersey’s cranberry farmers are hoping the weather cools off soon for the benefit of their crop. Bill Haines is a fourth-generation cranberry farmer. His bogs stretch over 1,400 acres of the Pine Barrens in South Jersey. And he would like autumn to hurry up. “From now until the first of November, a perfect day would be a high of 68 and a low in the evening of about 45,” said Haines in a bout of wishful thinking. Cranberries start out pale green, then turn white and finally the characteristic deep red. The cool weather darkens the berries, making them more valuable to growers.