I hope everyone had a good fourth. We've been enjoying our 3 night hotel stay in Orofino, about an hour and a half from home. Our hotel had a free cocktail hour yesterday which was fabulous. My son and I walked 5 minutes to a local fireworks show. My wife watched from our riverfront hotel room. It was great although at the 15 minute mark it was ended a little early because a small patch of grass in the restricted area caught fire. Everyone was confused because the technicians were waving at all us and we were applauding but a small patch about the size of a fire pit started burning where one of the rapid fire launchers were. The city department quickly put it out. There was still one station that looked like it was still primed for more fireworks but I think they ended before the finale as a precaution. Still good show. The lights were still off so I think they had intended to not finish yet. But everyone milled around and left before the lights came on. I confirmed the next morning with the fire department and they said it was not planned and the grass did catch fire before it ended. There were also pieces of a fireworks that traveled past the fenced area further than the closest group of people. So next year they will probably change things up. We were much further back. Coming back here next year. Not ready for 105F at home on Tuesday.

108F

Medford at 108 and 6% RH, Redding 117 and 5% RH. Hope people down there did a good job cleaning up their fireworks last night! Had to clean up a pile of them in a park this morning that was still smoldering…

99º at Hillsboro, McMinnville, Corvallis, and Eugene. Salem leading the way at 102º, UHI-corrupted PDX and Troutdale trailing at 97º. 97º IMBY.

Grilled dogs yesterday for the fourth. Not something I want to eat every day but on a hot day with a cold beer they are pretty tasty.