The largest forest fire in American history burned three million acres in two days across northern Idaho and western Montana. The Big Blowup, as it was called, was fanned by hurricane force winds that caused smoldering fires to turn into raging firestorms. The fires consumed 3 ½ million acres of prime timber. Smoke from the fires turned the noontime sky into night northward into Saskatchewan and east to New York. Ships in the Pacific Ocean were lost in the smoke.

Eighty two people died in the fires, including seventy five firefighters. The town on Wallace, Idaho was nearly destroyed by fire. As the fire advanced, the Northern Pacific Railroad evacuated nearly the entire population of the town.

Idaho’s Edward Pulaski saved most of his fire crew of 45 from certain death by taking refuge in a mine shaft at War Eagle Mine. He later went on to develop the fire-fighting tool that still bears his name today. The official cause of the fire was never determined. An extremely light winter snowpack caused dry conditions at the start of fire season. This was exacerbated by extremely dry conditions throughout 1910. By summer, thousands of fires had burned or were burning, caused by loggers, campers, and by embers for coal fired steam locomotives.

The fires were reportedly under control by August 19th, before the winds came. The fire was not the deadliest in U.S. history. That dubious distinction goes to the Peshtigo, Wisconsin fire of 1871. 1500 people died in the Wisconsin forest fire that occurred the same night as the Great Chicago Fire.

Weather radars have gone quiet across Alabama this evening. That lone storm over Jefferson County weakened fairly quickly and was gone by 7:30 p.m.

Temperatures were still in the 80s tonight with very humid dewpoints in the middle to upper 70s. It will be a sultry evening across the state and another hot day tomorrow as high pressure continues in control of our weather.

The new forecast package will be out shortly. Have an enjoyable evening.

A small, isolated thunderstorm has developed over Jefferson County. At 6:15 p.m., it extends from the Irondale area to near Liberty Park. It appears to be moving to the east southeast. It should move over I-459 and near Lake Purdy. Brief very heavy rain is possible with this small storm.

Elsewhere across Alabama, showers and storms are virtually non-existent this evening.

They are not as big and bad as storms on recent afternoons and most of them seem to be over East Alabama.

The more numerous ones, but still only scattered, were from Tallapoosa County east and SE into Georgia.

Pretty good one also over Central Cherokee County in NE Alabama.

And several in West Alabama's Sumter County around Livingston.

Favored movement is toward the east.

Let's hope the storms stay relatively quiet. I need some R and R (or R and C) this evening, which translates to Rook and Coffee.

Was it Joe Rumore that once said, "all work and no play makes old people older?"

Or was it James Spann?

Life goes on...and on...

The Friday afternoon map discussion video is on the server:

http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb

How about the song "Weekend" by Wet Willie from the summer of 1979?

"One Friday evenin'
What a feelin', feel like singin'
Tired of workin', my mind is buzzin'
Feel like dancin' yes I do

But you gotta make the best of life while you're young
Good people, weekend
Do just what you wanna do, weekend
When those workin' days are through
Weekend, weekend, weekend"

As expected, the storms are fewer in number today and more widely spaced as warmer air aloft makes for a more stable atmosphere. Look very similar weather tomorrow; lots of sun along with widely scattered afternoon storms. Highs in the mid 90s.

AUGUST COLD FRONT: The GFS has slowed the front down a bit, holding the passage off until early Monday. But, the NAM moves it on through Sunday night. One way or another, we still should be in drier air early next week. That means lower humidity and cooler nights, and we still expect temperatures to get down into the 60 to 65 degree range by Tuesday morning. Bring it on.

TROPICS: Former tropical depression ten is hanging in there, moving in the general direction of the Bahamas. If this thing survives, it might begin to move northward late this weekend in response to the deep eastern U.S. upper trough. Or, it could cut under the trough and wind up in the Gulf. We will keep an eye on it.

In the eastern Atlantic another nice wave has come off the coast of Africa.

Have a great weekend... Brian Peters will handle the map discussion video updates over the weekend... I will be back in service bright and early Monday morning.

The Friday morning map discussion video is on the server:

http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb

Sure, I love a good weekend, but I must admit am also looking forward to Monday to see if drier air can really reach us. Sure looks that way with a front passing through here late Sunday. If the GFS is correct, humidity will be lower on Monday and Tuesday of next week, and nights will be cooler. I am using 63 in the forecast package for Tuesday morning; most places should drop into the 60 to 65 degee range. Maybe a few upper 50s in the cooler spots across north Alabama. That indeed is something to look forward to.

In the short term, rising heights should mean that afternoon storms will be a little more widely spaced today and tomorrow. And, temperatures will bump up a degree or two, with mid 90s likely in most communities.

THE LONG RANGE: Watch the video and see the GFS at 384 hours (yeah, I know, voodoo land... but it is fun to see anyway)... it shows not one, not two, but three tropical cyclones! We do indeed expect the tropical season to ramp up going into September.

TROPICS NOW: Former tropical depression ten is still hanging around... near 20N and 64W. Hurricane hunter data from yesterday revealed nothing, but don't write this thing off yet. Seems to be headed toward the Florida Straights... and maybe the Gulf. If it develops a bit the system might turn northward late this weekend in response to the big eastern U.S. upper trough developing.

And, watch the video and see the big wave coming off the coast of Africa.

Will have the next discussion and video posted by 3:30 p.m.... and the world's greatest weatherman, J.B. Elliott, will be here for storm updates later. Enjoy your Friday.