(no subject)

I was away from the computer from about 3.30 this afternoon, eating liquid-nitrogren ice cream and flying home, so I was a bit startled to get in, turn on the laptop, and discover the Mount Wilson Towercam showing an unfamiliar view of smoke and flames. It turns out that they turned it around to get a better view of the back-burning operation, which is still going well. Containment is at 81%, there isn't a blip to be seen on the MODIS fire detection plots for the last 24 hours, and it looks as though, if all continues to go according to plan, the Station Fire is nearly over. It leaves some horrendous destruction in its wake, but the observatory should be safe.

Meanwhile, I'm back, minus the clothes I traveled in on Tuesday and the spare battery for my camera, but -- unlike one of the meeting participants -- still in possession of my appendix.