Our amazing air ambulance service ...
Stars (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides rapid and specialized emergency care and transportation for critically ill and injured patients. STARS operates from bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. They are replacing their aging fleet of helicopters with the Airbus H145.
From the Valley
Last Days of August
Some leaves are starting to turn. We had a few hot days in August but the average high is 23 C and the average low is 9 C (so far). The extremes ranged from 32.5 to 1 C. I'm thinking I should clean and prep my skis. That's northern Alberta.
Hot Hot Hot
An intense heat wave passed slowly over Western Canada this week; a heat dome of high pressure that extended well up into the atomosphere. We haven't had rain in our area for the last two weeks. The heat wave itself lasted a week. The news, as usual, is full of sensationalism and hyperbole. Yes it was serious, especially for Lytton B.C., but not the dust bowl of the 1930s.
The Fawn
We discovered this little fawn tucked away in our woodshed. Its mum thought this was a safe place, and indeed it is. This spot is shaded all day with good ventilation and the coyotes typically don't stray near our house, especially during the day. We were worried about the +30 Celsius temperatures so put out some water and left the fawn alone. Mum came back last night and the fawn is gone today.
Getting Ready for Summer
Snow has meted away and temperatures are rising. The ground is thawed enough to begin preparation for a new gardening season. Summers are short here in Northern Alberta but the days are long and getting longer, so we need to take advantage of good weather when we can. Start as soon as the ground is workable!
Mild Winter, then February hit
All of Alberta and most of western Canada experienced deadly cold temperatures the second week of February. Extremely cold wind chill values between minus 40 and minus 55 continued until February 19 here in northern Alberta. Then a few days later the daytime temperature actually went above zero!