Aspen Fire Resurrected

[Arizwx]

Mother Nature IS handling things in the way She always does when faced with Human Stupidity (in this case letting the wackos get their way. I was at I-10 and Houghton this evening and could see flaring hot spots and a strong orange glow from the fire-looks to me like one more ridge topping and it's all downhill into Tucson..

Steve

Yes sir...It's all downhill from here.Truer words were never spoken...I sit here at 23:35Hrs watching and waiting and breathing the ilk of the beast of 'Inferno del Catalina de Coronado Oeste'.

[M2]

Well I just caught the late-night news and email bulletins...Pima County
sheriff's walked door to door this afternoon with evacuation orders for
those living in Ventana Canyon! Geezeus! The Ventana houses are just due north
of the Ventana Canyon Resort - fairly frequented by us quite often -
and in the gorgeous foothills with cactus and the Ventana waterfall.
This is really heartbreaking. And it's on the South Side of the Catalina
Mountains too - a short distance and it's in the city itself. DJ, you should
be happy you don't live anywhere near all this; at least you're on the other
side of town on the Northwest, out of harms way. I feel sorry for these
homeowners who can't judge distance - and were surprised by the evac
notice. Remember what Department of Homeland Security and the Red
Cross have said for months - ALWAYS be PREPARED to bug out on an hour's notice.
Not only since 9/11 but with the fires in everyone's pocket too.

They are re-calling the Type I incident Crews back in - the Hotshots who
have left - because the danger and fire have flared back up. These guys
have taken over as we speak.... Good Luck and Godspeed to the Firefighters - - - AGAIN. :o

[Arizwx]

Well I just caught the late-night news and email bulletins...Pima County
sheriff's walked door to door this afternoon with evacuation orders for
those living in Ventana Canyon! Geezeus! The Ventana houses are just due north
of the Ventana Canyon Resort - fairly frequented by us quite often -
and in the gorgeous foothills with cactus and the Ventana waterfall.
This is really heartbreaking. And it's on the South Side of the Catalina
Mountains too - a short distance and it's in the city itself. DJ, you should
be happy you don't live anywhere near all this; at least you're on the other
side of town on the Northwest, our of harms way. I feel sorry for these
homeowners who can't judge distance - and were surprised by the evac
notice. Remember what Department of Homeland Security and the Red
Cross have said for months - ALWAYS be PREPARED to bug out on an hour's notice.
Not only since 9/11 but with the fires in everyone's pocket too.

They are re-calling the Type I incident Crews back in - the Hotshots who
have left - because the danger and fire have flared back up. These guys
have taken over as we speak.... Good Luck and Godspeed to the Firefighters - - - AGAIN. :o

Let me put it this way...I live here..I hurt here.I as well as you have enjoyed for years this riparian visual place of 'DIOS'.I am not that far away,that I am not watching each night...wondering..who is next?It could be a neighbor or myself...yes,I am most fortunate,However...this whole area is my home..it could be NW Tucson next...
BBQing Steaks and Fries..@00:30am PDT..04JUL03

[Aslkahuna]

the UofA webcam a short time ago, I only had two words to say- Holy S***! I have way expected to see a pyroclastic flow coming down the mountains it looked that bad-sort of reminded me of the video showing the early stages of climatic stage of the Pinatubo eruption as seen from Clark AB.

Steve

[Arizwx]

Steve..that Webcam is pointed right at the Pyro Blow out
http://www.cs.arizona.edu/camera/
...it's been going on now for about 1.5 hrs and accelerating...HOWEVER..What the WebCam does NOT show is the 'Swirl' from the throat of the Canyon...this is my view..dead on.It's Blood Red Skies now,as NE winds continue at 10-12..or light but very dominant.The Fire Crossed Catalina Hwy last night in the a different spot..and now it appears the Fire wants to RUN West S West..right at Pusch Ridge,as you know.I am at the base of Pusch Ridge.
The flames are clearly visable now..as high as 200' just poking up on the Left Flank..This is the thickest Smoke I have seen up close thus far...we are under a severe air quality alert now as Pima County Health is very concerned.
Oracle Rd is nearly empty...this is the main arterial Hwy Rt 77 to PHX/Mesa/Roosevelt/Canyon Lakes and The White Mtns. .I have never seen it empty...hundreds of thousand of cars use it each week.esp heavy on 4 JUL for Boaters,etc..there is maybe one or 2 stray cars stopping to gawk at this outrageous disaster.
updated 15:00hrs Oracle Rd traffic now back to abiut 40% traffic as Pima Sherrifs were concerned about smoke vis and gawkers causing wrecks.
OVPD has respirators at hand now as several reports of Breathing Distress calls are jamming the system...howver,OVPD is very prepared,no serious probs thus far.
My Verizon service tho is out about 40% ...Comm Tower probs up on Bigelow and KVOA CH 4 is using Microwave on the Cam.

Smoke/106F NNE9/rh14%
14:50 PDT 04JUL03

[Aslkahuna]

I was going to post the URL myself-everyone needs to look at these images-it's totally unreal-probably much like what Pompeii saw from Vesuvius just before the city went under the pyroclastic flows-people in NE Tucson have got to be near panic about now.

Steve

[Colin]

Man........that is horrific........I just want to kill the morons that started these fires...........just like everyone else in Arizona probably wants to do............I hope these fires are fully contained very soon!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aslkahuna]

is at 68+k acres now and has burned a few cabins in the Willow Canyon area. Last containment figure was 55% and that was mostly on the north flank of the fire which is now headed SE. Little hope of any rain through mid week. The attached is a photo I took of the smoke Plume and pyrocumulus as seen from Sierra Vista last night shortly after sundown. Usually you don't see this kind of Plume so late in the day-especially from 60+ miles away.



Steve
[/img]

[Arizwx]

Steve,
Get a grip..this was in the cards...and truthfully...nobody truly understands or gives a rats azz.'Hope' and 'Be Safe' are nice..but don't address the subject...I'm calling for Larry Humphrey to RESIGN as he has,IMO, BUNGLED this disaster.Period.

[M2]

Another fire has started in our Arizona forest about 150 miles north of Phoenix
- in a nice mountain town (Prescott) - 100 homes have been evacuated.
Lots of dense pine tree growth up there too...

[azsnowman]

Michelle and I had dinner with Jim Paxon and his wife last night, Debbie......we are working on another thinning project along US Hwy 260 and Buck Springs. Jim and his wife Debbie are doing consulting work, Jim....to be blunt said, and I quote, "The Apsen Fire is now unstoppable, there is nothing for man to do at this point but stand back and let the fire run it's course, there will be no homes, structures left in the Ventana Canyon, Soldier Point areas, PERIOD!"

I don't know folks, man has screwed things up beyond repair and Ma Nature is doing *Her* thing! I agree with DJ 110%, this IS Larrys fault, hell..........NOPE, shut up Dennis, you'll only get into DEEEEEEP doo-doo!

OH if the public ONLY KNEW about the politics involved in fighting wildland fires, if you only knew!

Dennis

[weatherlover427]

:o

:o

This is not what you need at all! I hope your homes don't burn and that you don't have to evacuate!

[Arizwx]

Michelle and I had dinner with Jim Paxon and his wife last night, Debbie......we are working on another thinning project along US Hwy 260 and Buck Springs. Jim and his wife Debbie are doing consulting work, Jim....to be blunt said, and I quote, "The Apsen Fire is now unstoppable, there is nothing for man to do at this point but stand back and let the fire run it's course, there will be no homes, structures left in the Ventana Canyon, Soldier Point areas, PERIOD!"

I don't know folks, man has screwed things up beyond repair and Ma Nature is doing *Her* thing! I agree with DJ 110%, this IS Larrys fault, hell..........NOPE, shut up Dennis, you'll only get into DEEEEEEP doo-doo!

OH if the public ONLY KNEW about the politics involved in fighting wildland fires, if you only knew!

Dennis

Well,
I would have loved to have been a 'Fly on the Wall' during that conversation...I hope you had o'plenty of Beef,Pasta and Wine.That's a big meal for Big Subjects!
Humphrey is now so full of it,the Media has trouble figuring out what is what and where is where.The local populace..which is sizeable is also confused...reports of Summerhaven Residents supposedly picking up a Pass to re-enter the area...and then nothing.Meantime..the Pryos keep blowing out every 9-10 hrs and are clearly visable form my vantage point.
Last night,it was so hot,I took a hike in the Desert about 7mi from here next to the 'Ol Ranchita to get a 'backed up'perspective of the outline of the entire WSW Range of the Santa Catalina.What I saw,was the ENTIRE sillouette of the mountain range crowned with orange...I was shocked at the enormous 'scape' of Yellow/Orange against the starry sky at 23:00hrs.
It seems,that the fire is now 75Kacres+ by my estimate..possibly more.
I see very few slurry aircraft and even fewer choppers.Maybe 2 of each .
Now a fire near Prescott,AZ is expected to get larger and one near beautiful Taos,NM(one of my fav spots)is out of control just NNE of the Albuquerque,NM BLM Fire HQ.
I have no doubt we will eclipse 100K acres if the rains don't come soon...hence Jim's theory will verify.

06JUL03 NWTUS/106F/rh 12%/winds WNW 17 G22 Low Hz/Sun
CB+ roaming near the AZ/Mexico Border to my SSE 80nm not far from Nogales...

[Arizwx]

I am amazed that noone mentioned the fact that SUN at 13:00hrs,Pima Co
Sheriff Dept went home to home in the exclusive 'Ventana Canyon' enclave(some homes have a worth of more than 26MILLION$$$!)
Geesus.46 homes..evaced..77more decided to wait it out.
Flames were within 1/2 mile of the Sabino Cyn Visitor Center.
Also,the exclusive N Tucson 'Ventana Canyon Resort' evaced appox 400 Guest..relocated to 'La Paloma Resort' Sun 06JUL by 9pm.
No threat as of now..however,unpredictable winds could fan the fire that has burned 80K Acres+ thusfar.Fire layed down last night thankfully,after rh incresed and dewpoint hit57F
Interestingly,no sight of Mr Humphrey..Mr Jim Paxon(re:Rodeo/Chedeski Fire)is the top Fire Consultant...talk about 'Takin' the Heat'!
Fire is still a paltry 55% contained..hmmmmmmm.
NW TUS 16:00 hrs 07JUL
107F/DP 39F/Winds NNW 12 G 18/Clr

[M2]

You've got it covered. Out of a 400-capacity resort, 100 that were there
were relocated up the road to La Paloma - the Dove. Nice golf course.
Great place to watch fireworks or tornadoes blowing in from anywhere
around the city perimeter since it's up so high and the views are perfect.

[Arizwx]

It's too much fun skinny dipping here in OV at 23:50 and an air temp of 98F with a 51Fdewpt.
Hot Hot...here comes the 'Broiler' aka Heat Blast.110F easy for TUS even at an avg of 2500ft asl.
Progs look ok for the 'Soonal Surge' from the GOMEX by Wed nite...I hope..Oh my I hope!
85K acres burned and a lousy Wx Prog for the WSW Face of the Santa Catalinas near me..upslope winds over 25mph for the 'Feed fan'
Fire made a run my Pusch Ridge...again!

[M2]

I've watched the fires all day via a number of webcams. They may
be getting a handle on it as they've allowed the Ventana Canyon people
go back home and evacuations are revoked. It was interesting watching the
helicopers fly right over the ridge above the Ventana waterfall. Although
the dewpoints have been rising (they were in the high 40s here today, and
67 in Yuma; Sorry Vista was 52 earlier this evening), once the outflows
hit us, they'll bring along that dry lightning. You know how that goes....
I'm expecting a Sandstorm sometime this weekend up here but no rain
until maybe next week (if we're lucky to get a nice outflow boundary
from you or La Chiquita Mexicana). We'd like a nice strong one please....

[Arizwx]

Not sure if they got a handle on it or Ma Nature gave them a Wx break yesterday...higher dews laid her down and allowed Helo-Bombers to drop H2o Ordinance on the Hot Spots..lucky break indeed.BTW..those Chopper Skippers are some cool...right on!
We had 900 deployed here after the 03Jul resurgence of the blaze..now 300 are 'outta here',headed for Pueblo de Taos,NM..good luck crews and Thx!
HOWEVER...worse fire wx conditions could emerge YET AGAIN as the fire retreats into lusher Pine Forests and Canyons...the Beast sleeps.With temps expected 112F here in the Valley of the Lear/Bombadier we have a Major problem.No water..Cutbacks are scheduled,wells are shut down and if the TEP(TUS Elec Power)numbers verify we could have brown outs for grids of high usage.Even at 08:00 hrs,the A/C units are pumpin' major league into the new 'Hottest Real Estate Market in the USA'..yepper..TUS.
The usage is already way above avg for early July..and looks to get more intense......just too many new homes and Biz concerns.
Life in 'ZoniLand is a trip.
NWTUS 08JUL03 13:00hrs

103F/dp 54/wind NNW10/Haze/Smoke/Sun

[M2]

Talk about brown-outs, Apache Junction today had a brownout due to such
high electric consumption. Tomorrow may be worse with 115-117F forecast.
This is the time of year that scares off those without huevos....and even
those with. The humidity won't kill ya, the heat will. Water - isn't that
what they give you intravenously in the hospital when you're brought in
delireous from Heat Stroke\\\\\

My friend in Tucson in Search & Rescue gave me the latest today on the
Aspen Fire. He got to drive up & around the cabins, town, towers, etc. with
the Sheriff's Department. Small areas are intact; others are crisped down
to the nap. He said it's multiple-hankie time up at the top....but ~70%
contained after wreaking havoc. They are wondering if it will be heading
west into Pima Canyon and Finger Rock Canyon - but they think they've
got in under semi-control....That was presumed last time... If it blows into
those Western canyons, there goes the rest of the trees in our lifetime. He
said that the top hiking spots like Butterfly Trail, Green Trail, Esperero,
Romero...all the popular areas - are gone probably for our duration
It's like loosing something important that you can't replace really. Pictures,
momentos, a trail with trees...Very sad. Yes, everything will eventually
grow back, but it's gone for all intents and purposes for us and maybe our
kids lifetimes... Those areas will be closed permanently.

A part of Tucson is gone. How everything up there and downstream is
affected by any rain that we get remains to be seen.