2022 Fire Season

[azbackpackr]

Well, here we go...

A fire out past Doney Park, northeast of Flagstaff, is fairly close to where I spend my summers. I was going to move my car there tomorrow. But I guess I won't be moving it there just yet. I'll park it somewhere else.

And... a friend and I were going to start a little bicycle tour over by Prescott, on Thursday. But part of our route is under a closure, due to the Crooks fire.

[nonot]

Air attack has arrived and an engine is on the way. A helicopter has been ordered as well.

What is air attack if not a helicopter? And how is it attacking? Also, it's gonna be a long rough drive for that engine that's on the way.

I would think air attack is any helicopter or plane involved in fighting the fire. They probably had to come up with a term to differentiate it from aerial observer. And since air fighter could easily be confused with fighter jets they probably went with air attack instead. I'd be curious what you would pick for the name if you got the title of "person who names stuff"?

[LindaAnn]

@chumley Maybe they’re using a drone to dump little cups of water on the fire.

[chumley]

I'd be curious what you would pick for the name if you got the title of "person who names stuff"?

I'd have to know what something does before I could attempt to name it.

[mazatzal]

Assuming it is aerial firefighting, I'd call it, hmm, aerial firefighting.

[Pivo]

I would call it Fire bird.

[joebartels]

SEDONA, Ariz., May 16, 2022 – The Wilson Fire, located 2.5 miles north of downtown Sedona (34°55'42.0"N 111°45'54.0"W), is now at a quarter-acre and 50 percent containment due to aggressive cups of water dropped in an aerial attack.

There's been no change in fire behavior since the fire was first reported at 1:30 a.m. today. The fire continues to minimally creep and smolder on a flat mesa in the Brins Fire (2006) burn scar.

The fire's spread potential is low due to light southwest winds, nearby redrock, the entire state is torched, and it is far far away from the Tonto NF.

Air attack has been released from the incident, but two engines remain on scene. The fire will be staffed overnight.

Smoke will be visible from the Sedona, Oak Creek and Munds Park areas. There are no closures at this time.

The cause of the Wilson Fire is under investigation.

[chumley]

Maybe they’re using a drone to dump little cups of water on the fire.

is now at a quarter-acre and 50 percent containment due to aggressive cups of water

Aggressive cups! Grrrr!

[big_load]

due to aggressive cups of water dropped in an aerial attack.

Hopefully none containing scuba divers.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

Fire just broke out by cave of the winds closing highway 24 blocking family from going home. Hopefully they will get it under control so we don’t get evacuated from the hotel I’m stuck in post surgery. Fire is a couple miles from here and smoke is clearly visible.

[joebartels]

Hopefully they will get it under control

No doubt, crossing my fingers for your area!

[AugustWest]

@chumley
'Attack' uniformly refers to the act of fire suppression most regularly putting water on fire. The National Fire Prevention Association, which has established the standards used in training for firefighters and the various methodologies employed in fire fighting use this vernacular throughout their documents, standards and materials.

[chumley]

@AugustWest I guess my query was rooted in the language in the press release differentiating between an "air attack" and a helicopter on the way. I'm not sure how many aircraft are needed to extinguish a quarter-acre fire.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

@joebartels
They just got it under control apparently they got to it quickly despite terrain and have opened highway. Hopefully no overnight flare up.

[cactuscat]

Stage 2 fire bans going into effect for Coronado NF, BLM, State Lands in Southern AZ ...

[RedRoxx44]

Somewhat related; Reuters headline "U.S. stops controlled burns nationwide after New Mexico disaster". Part of the large fire Hermit Peak/ Calf Canyon the result of a controlled burn which got out of control. The weather forecast was for high winds and the burn was started in spite of the forecast.
Again, I am not against controlled burning if done under proper conditions, and with someone who has a brain as to when to do it; not due to some sort of bureaucratic schedule.

[FOTG]

@RedRoxx44

From the article:

“Lessons learned and any resulting program improvements will be in place prior to resuming prescribed burning,”

Great response from the gov lol ooops lesson learned, we will try to to better, sigh. These forest have enough things working against them, it’s hard to maintain hope for them, when the feds are the ones starting the fires. I mean no irony in the fact that a fire made exponentially worse by federal forest managers is now being used to justify locking the public out of most of national forest in NM.

[hikeaz]

I thought, because of snafu's like this they changed the rhetoric from 'controlled' burn to 'prescribed' burn.

[ShatteredArm]

Again, I am not against controlled burning if done under proper conditions, and with someone who has a brain as to when to do it; not due to some sort of bureaucratic schedule.

They kind of have to be scheduled to some extent, as they can't necessarily have everybody available to start the prescribed burns with no notice when a favorable weather window arrives.

But it seems like there should be some pretty simple rules they can apply to greatly mitigate the risk of something like this happening, like... I don't know... Don't schedule prescribed burns in the early part of the fire season.

[RedRoxx44]

Yes, I understand there has to be coordination. Good management would have a certain number of days to achieve the objective and if need be lesser activities made available for staff in less than optimal conditions ( wind in this case) was present. Just don't go ahead and light it up. If the weather forecast was not going to be favorable for a number of days then staff released to other duties and the primary event rescheduled when able.

[joebartels]

Coconino NF to implement Stage 2 fire restrictions May 26

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., May 24, 2022 – Due to warmer weather conditions, increased fire danger, and for public safety, Coconino National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions beginning 8 a.m. Thursday, May 26.

The forest has been under Stage 1 fire restrictions since May 5, which prohibit campfires across the forest and limits them to developed recreations sites only.

However, with warmer and windy weather, as well as key criteria being met, stricter fire restrictions will be implemented across the entire national forest--including developed recreation sites.

Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following:

Building, maintaining, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes. This includes smudge pots and wood stoves. The only exception is using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.).
Smoking (except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material).
Blasting, welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
During the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire. An exception is allowed for operating generators with an approved spark arrestor in an area barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator.

Visitors should use caution and keep from driving over areas of vegetation to place their trailers or to unload their tents and camping supplies. This is to keep catalytic converters and other sources of heat underneath the vehicle from igniting vegetation. Additionally, fireworks of any kind are NEVER allowed on national forests.

Fire restrictions will remain in place until the forest receives significant precipitation or until Aug. 31. Violation of the restrictions on national forests is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both.