Fire Free

I once mentioned that my brother-in-law marks his spring by counting "fire free" days, or "fuel free" days, I can't remember which. These are the first warm days of the season when the wood stove is not required. I know that, during the cold spring of 2010, we burned all the way through April and part way into May before we had our first fire free day. Unfortunately, I forgot to note the exact date. This year, I've got a date. Yesterday, May 7th was the first fire free day of 2011 at Rural Ways. And, was it ever. Our thermometer stopped at 84F. Too hot for me. Of course, we need only wait one day to ameliorate the overheating: Snow is forecast for tomorrow.