Monday, September 7, 2009

Monday 09/07/2009 Air Pollution

It is a sad day in North St. Paul, MN. One of our police officers, Richard Crittenden, was shot and killed in the line of duty this morning.

12:30 AM: Faint trace of wood smoke continues.

2:15 AM: Faint wood smoke.

6:00 AM: Air is fresh where we live. I passed by Indian Way on Chippewa about this time and noticed a smoky, burnt wood odor coming from the intersection. The smell was strongest next to the house on the northwest corner of Indian Way & Chippewa. They may have had another smoky bonfire last night. They had a smoky fire two weeks ago. Last year, I passed by that house in the evening and saw a guy playing fetch with his dog in the backyard while a bonfire roared. Who needs to have a bonfire to play fetch with his dog? Also around this time I noticed faint wood smoke on Helen just north of Beam.

5:53 PM: Faint wood smoke. On a day of great sadness for our city, the wood smoke is not taking a break. Faint wood smoke at this time. I went out to see if it was the usual suspect burning. It was. He has burned 7 out of the last 9 evenings. You can smell his wood smoke blocks away. 80 degrees, sunny, a little humid, the weather is pleasant.

6:15 PM: Very faint wood smoke in the air.

7:00 PM: No real wood smoke. There is something in the air. I can't say it is wood smoke.

8:20 PM: No wood smoke. Something continues to be in the air.

9:30 PM: No wood smoke. Air is as close to fresh as we will get. 71 degrees and a little muggy at this time.

There was no more wood smoke this evening. Overall, a light day for wood smoke. Other than the smoke from the frequent burner who burns almost every day, there was nothing. Wood smoke should taper off a little as school has resumed. But we've got to deal with burning leaves soon.