There has been a fire burning at the coast of N.C. since June 1st. June-freakin-1. Today however, there was what must have been a major shift in the winds so that the smoke has blown all the way from the coast to l’il ol’ Chapel Hill/Carrboro. The longer the day grew, the worst the smoke.
We are now in a Code Red air quality alert and I am feeling it. I was curious about those winds shifting from the East and John Fleck share with me quite a few links to maps and weather data which only a climate-nerd like John would have (said with the utmost respect, mind you).
My favorite is the NOAA “Fire Hazard Mapping System” image. I guess I didn’t know the NOAA kept such a thing – but its pretty impressive to see the smoke drifts from the current North American fires. Its also interesting to see how many fires are burning too. Amazing.
As any regular reader might imagine, I am quite proud of my state right now. Bringing it home for Obama last night was a great thing in my personal voting history. The first time my primary vote mattered (in a presidential race) and the first time my primary choice is a front-runner/winner… and it all came down to lil’ ol’ N.C.
I was looking at an interactive map of results by county and found it interesting how the state split by West and East. I’m really not sure what that means – both ends of the state are poor. I don’t think there is a higher African-American population on either side (though I could be wrong).
Here is a screengrab of what I’m talking about since its not likely that map will remain active – click to enlarge:
I highlighted Cumberland county because its where Fort Bragg is – all military and it went for Obama.
I don’t love re-posting some other blog’s posts… but its so impossible for me to avoid. I read so many of them in a day.
So there is a good one called “White African” that has lots of interesting perspective on Africa from someone who grew up in Sudan (I think it was Sudan at least). It’s actually been a helpful blog to me as I have been immersing myself into parts of the continent.
Today White African has a post about UNOSAT’s mapping of East Africa’s Somali Pirate problems.
The former GIS operator in me loves the map and display of information but to do so I have to disregard the awfulness of the problem. Its worth downloading the huge pdf of the map to see for yourself.
Its not all Johnny Depp, facebook games, and “Arrrrgh” in East Africa.
Update: Oddly this story of another hijacking made the AP wire today.
Update: That’s hijacking has finally come to and end with everyone still alive.
