SMOKIN’ HOT. Things stay warm into the weekend, and those slow sultry summer sunsets will be heightened by smoke in the atmosphere.  We talk about where that’s coming from and some summer animal observations and yet another hunting season to prepare for in today’s Three Things.

 

Featured Photo: A deep red sunset settles in near Menoken, N.D. Simonson Photo.

DAILY CONDITIONS:

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today: Thu 8/9 – Bask in the heat! Hi 94, Lo 60, Wind N@8
Tomorrow:  Fri 8/10 – Summer sizzle. Hi 98, Lo 65, Wind SE@7

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
6:33AM       9:03PM

Moonrise      Moonset       Overhead    Underfoot
4:15AM       7:58PM        12:09PM      Fol. Day

Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (4% Full)

EDGE HOUR:  7:30 – 8:30PM.  Moonset will kick off a great evening of fishing in today’s Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

 

THREE THINGS

 

AMERICA, BURNING.  This map from Fire Weather Avalanche puts the current state of fires into a scary sort of perspective. You may have noticed a super-red sunset last night, shrouded by the upper-level smoke layer blowing in from Montana and points south and west.  Expect that to continue as the winds flow in from that area of the country.

 

SWAN SONG.  Tundra swan applications for this autumn’s hunt are due August 15.  Hunters can apply via the NDG&F online licensing portal.  The season opens Sept. 29 and closes Dec. 30.

 

HOP TO IT.  Did you know there are five species of toads in North Dakota?  Including the Plains Spadefoot, these rough and bumpy amphibians can be found in drier areas than their frog cousins.  The Plains Spadefoot is easy to identify, not only by its smoother skin and large catlike eye, but also by the little black spade on each of its feet, used for more effective digging.