Warm summertime temperatures returned to our area last week, which did not help the folks battling the Gifford fire that started along Highway 166 last week.

The fire is a huge challenge for firemen and ranchers with their cattle operations located in the hills on both sides of Hwy. 166.

Smoke and ash spread quickly as the fire took off both to the east and the west almost at the same time.

I went out to my truck last Saturday to find it covered in ash. I looked out toward the hills above Tepusquet and saw the billowing clouds of smoke rise up into the sky beyond the hills, as the fire was making its way further east.

I called to check on our employees living on the vineyards we manage both along Hwy. 166 and Hwy. 33. The vineyard along the 166 was under an evacuation order, even thoug

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