Page 1 of 2
Siphon Fire
Posted: Sep 11 2024 6:32 am
by herdbull
Yet another fire in the western Supes
Not much information on it yet but it's all over FB. Looks like it's right on the Ridgeline trail about 1 mile out from the exit of Siphon Draw. My hunch is it was another man made or man caused fire. Doesn't take a rocket surgeon to put 2 and 2 together. No clouds or lightning, right on a popular trail. Tough place for ground crews to fight it so I would imagine they may try and contain it to the ridgeline and let it burn some vegetation.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 11 2024 7:13 am
by Jim
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 11 2024 7:24 pm
by nonot
Satellite data indicate it's made its way off the ridgeline, moving north, currently burning the area nearing/around First water trailhead
Re: Siphon fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 11 2024 8:46 pm
by chumley
Tonto National Forest wrote: Fire crews are responding to the #SiphonFire burning in remote terrain in the Superstition Wilderness northeast of Apache Junction... There are no values at risk or closures in place at this time.
Don't worry. There are no values at risk. Because the Tonto National Forest doesn't consider forest land to be a value. Just the private land that surrounds it.
Re: Siphon fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 11 2024 10:37 pm
by chumley
Tonto National Forest wrote:FIRE UPDATE: The #SiphonFire is 2350 acres and is currently 0% contained. The cause remains under investigation. Due to the rugged terrain, ground resources cannot safely access the fire. The public is advised to avoid the First Water, Boulder, Siphon Trails and Forest Road 78 while the Siphon Fire is active. Smoke and flames will be visible, but there are no communities at risk. Resources assigned are one Type 2 Initial Attack Crew, one suppression module and 2 engines, along with a Type 1 Helicopter. Resources on order is one water tender, two engines, and a medical team.
Since it's burning in the wilderness and there are no ground crews being used, I think it's safe to say that there is virtually zero effort to slow, suppress, or extinguish this one for now. Good luck to the lone helicopter flying over and taking photos to determine how large it is.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 4:46 am
by Jim
Using the HAZ map perimeter feature, and selecting the 2020 Superstition Fire, you can see this new fire is burning within the fire scar from 4 years ago. Having seen photos and been in part of that area, it is a lot of exotic grasses with shrubs that sprouted. Probably going to be a fairly routine occurrence in that area, now.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 5:36 am
by herdbull
chumley wrote:Since it's burning in the wilderness and there are no ground crews being used, I think it's safe to say that there is virtually zero effort to slow, suppress, or extinguish this one for now. Good luck to the lone helicopter flying over and taking photos to determine how large it is.
We live 10mins from 1st water road. This is our stomping grounds 3-4 days a week. It's sad and I'm thinking most of the trails there will get torched from this. Looks like things like Weavers Needle, Boulder canyon, Black Mesa.....it is what it is unless they send ground crews into 1st water. Looks like we'll have to go to our second and third options this year until it grows back.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 6:58 am
by nonot
This morning the satellites aren't pickup up significant heat from the first water area, or really not even the ridgeline itself and the fire is only actively generating heat down in the west boulder canyon area. Wonder if they put out the hot spots last night?
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 8:53 am
by FOTG
I hope this fire does not impact the spring fox tail bloom.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 9:56 am
by Nighthiker
Fire reported Apache Trail near Canyon Lake, mile post 211.
Re: Siphon fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 12:03 pm
by chumley
Maricopa County Emergency Management wrote:
GO! MCSO is evacuating Canyon Lake/Tortilla Flat area due to Siphon Wildfire. Info at Maricopa.gov. Take prescriptions, water, snacks, identification and pets. Avoid this area & follow directions of emergency personnel.
Does this mean that "values" are at risk now?
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 1:30 pm
by DixieFlyer
Here is a pic of the fire that I took from the Beeline Highway earlier today while on my back from Mount Ord.
[ image ]
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 2:17 pm
by hikeaz
@nonot
If the satellites are accurate this could open up WBC for less-fettered foot travel. At least for a year or so until the catclaw windfall soon-to-come.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 5:08 pm
by nonot
hikeaz wrote: ↑Sep 12 2024 2:17 pm
@nonot
If the satellites are accurate this could open up WBC for less-fettered foot travel. At least for a year or so until the catclaw windfall soon-to-come.
Well, the fire must have flared up, and probably per what Chum's posted they aren't doing anything to control it, as it has burned the entire first water TH area today, moved over to East Boulder Canyon, and it making its way down both first water canyon and Boulder Canyon towards Tortilla Flat. It looks like the area of Indian Paint mine and Second Water trail will go up in flames before end of tonight.
It also burned its way up West Boulder Canyon and is trying to crest the ridge near the Carney springs trail.
The problem with these Supes fires is that I don't think they really burn hot enough to burn away the catclaw, instead they kill the plant and leave these nasty catclaw skeletons, which are arguably even worse since the canes will actually snap off when a claw sinks into you. Then the remaining claws have a chance to grab on as you drag the branch/cane with you.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 6:27 pm
by Nighthiker
@DixieFlyer
Drove down today about 2 hrs later, to much dust in the air.
Re: Siphon fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 12 2024 10:25 pm
by chumley
Tonto National Forest wrote:FIRE UPDATE: Fire officials now estimate the #SiphonFire at approximately 12,000 acres with 0% containment. The cause remains under investigation. Due to the rugged terrain, ground resources cannot safely access the majority of the fire, but crews were able to conduct defensible firing operations on the northwest flank of the fire. Large air tankers were utilized around the north and northeast to slow the fire's growth. High winds contributed to the growth and calmer winds are predicted for tomorrow which will aid firefighting efforts.
SR 88 (Apache Trail) is closed past Lost Dutchman State Park. Tortilla Flat, Canyon Lake Marina, and Lost Dutchman State Park are all closed. Resources assigned include one Type 2 initial attack crew, one suppression crew and ten engines, along with a Type 1 helicopter. Resources on order include 2 scoopers and a Type 1 helicopter.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 13 2024 8:12 am
by big_load
They can't let the ice cream shop burn.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 13 2024 9:46 am
by nonot
The fire pattern today suggests they started backburning along the Apache trail west of First Water canyon in a manner that is designed to protect the dam and power lines.
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 13 2024 11:46 am
by chumley
@nonot
those are called "values"
Re: Ridegline fire 9/10/24
Posted: Sep 13 2024 12:52 pm
by nonot
Yeah, I expect them to protect structures of value such as the dam, power lines, and Tortilla Flat. But they won't likely fight the fire in the wilderness areas.
The fire is now at the Peralta Saddle (with the view of Weavers Needle) and burning the needle, so it is basically picking up where the fire 2? years ago left off. I'm wondering how far they will let it get down the Carney Springs canyon (is that its actual name?) before they do anything related to nearby ranches.
