The smoke was obvious this morning as far south as Onion Valley (Independance), but the Mammoth Lakes radio station was saying reports that Aspendell had been evacuated were false. Said radio station also was playing a succession of songs, including Hendrix' "Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire", Blue Oyster Cult's "I'm Burning for You" and a Frank Zappa cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire."
Back to the original prediction question: As of Thursday night, the ranger at Crabtree said the afternoon showers that hit the West Side that day, and which were thunderstorms higher up, were expected to continue. So yes, DMatt and maybe others did see this coming. I kind of wish they'd seen it coming earlier in the five-day forecast ....
Phil
