2021 Fire Season

[Jim]

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7438/

Commence your freakout. Might burn the mountain, might not.

I saw the large smoke plume yesterday around 5 PM in a Satellite image but figured it was so large that it must have been a cloud shield. Nope.

[chumley]

Alamo Fire straddling the Mexican border west of Nogales on the Coronado NF is now over 4,000 acres

[RedRoxx44]

@chumley
Lots of dead oaks to burn down there. Sounds like they are driving out the Summit road to protect that end. That can be a fun drive. Hope there are no accidents off that road. Passing someone can be an exercise in holding your breath and hoping the road edge doesn't give way.

And the feel good/ CYA continues for Telegraph, posted photos show firefighters feeding horses with kittens playing near the firefighter. Great photo op. An additional structure has burned or been reported bringing that up to 52. 180 K acres, no new acreage for several days now.
I predict the next photo op near Dripping Springs showing goats and puppies.

[chumley]

The infrared flight over the Rafael Fire at about 1am this morning showed intense heat over Taylor Cabin as the front of the fire pushes into Sycamore Canyon.

[big_load]

The infrared flight over the Rafael Fire at about 1am this morning showed intense heat over Taylor Cabin as the front of the fire pushes into Sycamore Canyon.

That might be another one that I'm glad I saw before it was too late.

[cw50must]

While this thread is depressing, I can't stop checking in for updates. This also is the best place for updates, you guys are like 3 days ahead of the bad info on IG.

[pixelfrog]

@big_load I have the horrible feeling that most Arizona hikers will be saying this to themselves over the next few years.

[Jim]

[ photo ]

I guess that is why Joe captioned it the way he did.

Piestewa is too hot in summer to be enjoyed, though. I stopped with the 105+ mid day hikes several years ago.

[andrewp]

I have the horrible feeling that most Arizona hikers will be saying this to themselves over the next few years.

That or, "I wish I had a chance to see that before it burned."

Sadly, multiple areas which were on my list to visit are seriously threatened by active fires as of today. No telling what the rest of the summer will bring.

[pixelfrog]

@andrewp

"I wish I had a chance to see that before it burned."

I feel like I've said that way too many times over the last 20 years.

[chumley]

I am often surprised at how nice an area can be even after fire. Some are completely enjoyable, even if different. A few can still be pleasant, while also lamenting what it once was. One or two are just not worth visiting anymore and may take decades for me to reconsider. It is those that hurt the most, but they're a small fraction of the acres that have burned over the past 20-30 years here.

[pixelfrog]

And now for some small GOOD news...

CLINTS WELL, Ariz., June 22, 2021 — The Snake Fire, located about 7 miles west of Clints Well on the northern edge of West Clear Creek is currently 45 acres, and firefighters have lined approximately 80 percent of the fire.

[sam_hikes]

the beautiful post fire moonscape of Mt Ord along slate creek at FR27 and the miles of charred guardrails is quite a memory.

luckily they didn't moonscape FR626, GPSJOE's powerline route, or the Ord highground above 6k ft.

I am often surprised at how nice an area can be even after fire. Some are completely enjoyable, even if different. A few can still be pleasant, while also lamenting what it once was. One or two are just not worth visiting anymore and may take decades for me to reconsider. It is those that hurt the most, but they're a small fraction of the acres that have burned over the past 20-30 years here.

[RedRoxx44]

Well, almost missed the Walnut fire in the Little Dragoons coming off Mae West Peak. Didn't replace that peak register now glad I didn't. Might have to close I-10 if it gets too close. Weird they don't mention the ranch there for evac but looks like the fire is right on it. And there are several nice ranchettes just east of that area.

[chumley]

Might have to close I-10

ADOT reporting I-10 is now closed in both directions.

[cactuscat]

@chumley
It sure is!
This is what Texas Canyon looked like as I drove thru this morning -

And on my way back was just when they were closing it -

Detoured thru Dragoon to the 191.

[chumley]

Snake Fire is burning IN West Clear Creek canyon and is now 71 acres. It is 20% contained with a dozer line built above the canyon outside the wilderness. There is no containment in the canyon.

[andrewp]

Snake Fire is burning IN West Clear Creek canyon and is now 71 acres.

[ShatteredArm]

@chumley
There was a pretty good campsite right below Snake Tank, RIP.

[RedRoxx44]

Protecting Amerind Museum from Walnut Fire. That would be a shame if that burned. Alamo has grown and is approaching Ruby road but it gets pretty rocky and I think part of that already burned not too long ago ( the fire that took out the old lookout on Atascosa). I am listening to thunder outside as I type. Nice bit of rain for about 45 min. Hope it continues.

Looks like rain is putting some of these fires to bed so lets' hope that the forest restrictions will be lifted in a short amount of time.

[chumley]

Though only officially 42% contained, the Pinnacle Fire is in mop up status. A BAER team has been ordered to evaluate burn severity and crews on duty are repairing bulldozer lines and installing erosion controls.