Thomas - your recall is quite correct and, after that experience, the worker bees decided it best to schedule ensuing summer gatherings for August, feeling that the odds for an open forest, with campfires, are much better.

Past USFS decisions about closed/open forests after a very dry Spring (like this one) show that some dispersed rain during the month of July usually is not the key factor. A significant determinant is the accumulation of rainfall to a point where the forest vegetation and earth/duff floor are in a decently wet condition. That accumulation and resultant favorably wet condition normally does not develop until August. Thus, our Aug. date.


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