Forest fire, 5 or so miles away

A fire broke out at about 3 pm here, approximately 6 miles south-west of us.  An excavator’s exhaust pipe hit some high brush and started a brush fire on or near the Fitterer property.  We are at 3,500 feet elevation and coming out of a very wet year.  Grass was very high this year.  It’s been very hot lately.  Fire danger is very high.  The smoke is getting thick and we are starting to wonder how much potential the fire has.  It would have to travel north over a steep grade and down again to hit the California Hot Springs valley.  Winds typically blow east-west. 

I’ll update later and post smoke pictures should we be able to find the camera.

It's now about 9 pm.  We haven't heard anything solid.   My mom is taking a drive right now to find out how close this thing is.  I packed some clothes and am going to take a shower.

That ain't smog, guys: