There was no wood smoke this evening, only wonderful fresh air! The reason being that it was too hot to have a recreational fire. The official high temperature at the airport was 97 degrees for the Twin Cities. It was cooler in the eastern metro. I measured the temperature at 88 degrees at 6 PM here in North Saint Paul. It was also windy.
The sweet spot for recreational burning is between 70 and 85 degrees. Within that temperature range, the likelihood of being forced to breathe smoky, polluted air on any given evening absent rain is near 100% in this city. Outside that temperature range, the likelihood of people having recreational bonfires diminishes. As I have said before, when the temperature is nice enough to leave the windows open, many people burn wood leaving the air too smoky to breathe comfortably. When it is too hot or cold to leave the windows open, few burn. Also, recreational burning increases in the summer months. We are still in spring.
Other than the record heat, it was a beautiful evening. As the sun started to sink and the temperature dropped, I sat out on the deck to enjoy the weather. Without wood smoke, being outside was pleasurable and relaxing. The gusty winds changed direction frequently, blowing three different directions. No matter which way the wind blew, it delivered the wonderful aroma of lilacs and tree blossoms.
I pondered how much better life would be in North St. Paul if every evening was without the horrid stench of burning wood--as they should be. A ban on recreational burning and the completely unnecessary pollution it creates would enable one to more fully enjoy life and the little pleasures it brings such as the aroma of spring flowers.