The Alleyway

Runway 09, YXE

After some dodging and diving we flew clear of the thunderstorms that had us flying off course for the past 100 miles. Now in the final decent we could see our destination clearly. Sitting at the end of an alleyway walled between a dark layer of more thunderstorms spouting rain and a gray line of smoke coming off the many forest fires in progress. Looking down out my window I can see spots of orange were the fires rage. The smoke from the fires is less then 3 miles to the East of the airport and the winds are coming from the West. Which means we're going to have to pass through some of the smoke onto final. If it gets any tighter we'll have to reconsider coming into the other runway with more than 10 knots of wind on our tail.

Luckily as we draw closer to the strip the thunderstorms are looking further away than first thought. This gives us the option of circling to the West for the upwind runway. The smell of smoke starts to tickle our senses as we join the base leg for R21. By the time we get to final our visibility has dropped considerably but luckily the runway is still within view. The smoke is stronger now as we drop the gear and go through Landing checks. Lined up on final we all of a suddenly break out of the smoke cloud about 2 miles back.

After we land and begin to unboard the passengers I'm surprised at the lack of smoke in the air. You can just smell the tiniest tinge of burning jack, enough to remind me of a camping trip just a couple weeks ago. A drop of rain lands on my face, the alleyway is getting thinner.