Just Got Back From The Aspen Fire

[M2]

I spent Saturday/Sunday up close & personal with the Aspen Fire on Mt. Lemmon with my
cousin – drove almost fully around the mountain range & let me tell you – it’s mesmerizing.
Took pix from the North, South and West faces of the fire…

The fire grew by 30% to almost 12,000 acres. The 5% containment is due to a
rock outcrop that prevented the fire from advancing in one spot - it’s not shrinking
but enlarging. Many spot fires have begun several ridges to the Northeast of the
main fire line because of airborne embers that dropped on thick, high-fuel mountainsides.
...moving Northeast toward San Manuel as I mentioned Saturday morning.
Last night (Saturday night), we were about 2miles from the southern most fireline and
were watching the flames leap from tree to tree just north of the Biosphere property.
At times the flames were higher than the height of the actual transmission towers themselves.

Sheriff’s Deputies were standing with us along the dirt road explaining that they may
evacuate the Triangle Y camp, which they did this morning. We were IN Oracle,
and the orange/brown smoke turned the sun blood red this afternoon –
but the smoke deck it was high above the town and not engulfing it
although you could smell smoke from time to time. We had to take a break
and get some ice cold sodas to quench the heat and dryness running
around… Oracle has a fire break and 2 ranches between them and the
fire’s fontal edge. The ‘fire break’ is an area that previously burned and
there are no fuels to keep the blaze going, so they will probably be OK.
Firefighters and law enforcement don’t want anyone in there except those
firefighters who do that for a living because of insurance/liability issues.

We were watching 5 or 6 helicopters plus planes buzzing in and out very
low on several sides – some carrying equipment OUT (from the
radio/communications towers) and some were water-droppers going IN.
When flames would find an area of thick, heavy growth, it would flare up
with bright orange flames – but it was always silent except for the sound
of helicopters and aircraft. The wind was also blowing the sound away in
the same direction of the smoke.

We toured through the actual Biosphere today since it was so close to the
main fire and we wanted to ensure that we had a chance to walk through
the grounds and inside the steel & glass structure just in case the fire
would have made a run at it – a great place if you’re interested in any
Earth Sciences, or Astrophysics. Steel & glass don't burn but they can be
damaged as a result of high heat & the historical property could have
been destroyed. From there we headed to Oracle then on to San Manuel –
up on the high bajadas overlooking the San Pedro Valley (where the
smoke veered). It WAS hazy and smoky there, but officials do not think
that town is in any danger, again due to previous fires that burnt the available fuels.

And all this fire chasing wouldn’t have been complete without spending
some time in Oro Valley – at the El Conquistador itself where the briefings
are held, and the staff is kind enough to take care of the evacuees. As a
matter of fact, several Hilton properties are calling in offering aid and
funding to this resort in order to contribute and keep all the evacuees safe
and fed while the details are worked out.

As we left this evening, the fire is still growing, moving Northeast and may
keep on burning for 3 more weeks or until the monsoon arrives and
possibly dumps some rain on the main fire fronts.

[wx247]

M2... sounds like you got a look at the wrath up close and personal. I am glad that it isn't immediately threatening any communities. Hope it stays that way...

[isobar]

Thanks for the report M2. What a terrible time for the evacuees, but glad they're being well cared for. I pray that the weather will cooperate in bringing this fire under control.

[Guest]

M2 Thanks for the upclose and personal updates. Even though this is such a tragic event - having eyewitness accounts of the action here on Storm2k is appreciated. Keep us updated if you see or hear anything new. God Bless all those in the path of these fires.

Patricia

[Stephanie]

Thanks M2 for your report on the situation. I hope that line by Oracle does help to hold the fire back!

[Colin]

Thanks for that report, M2... sounds like quite an impressive and dangerous fire, even though it's not threatening any communities, and thank god for that! Hopefully it'll stay that way...

Is there any way you can share the pics that you took with us?

[ColdFront77]

I agree with Patricia... It is nice to hear your personal accounts of the situation with the fires you witnessed firsthand, M2.

Good luck to you, Steve and Dennis and others in Arizona experiencing these fires in some way.

[Arizwx]

Quite a trek M2...you logged some miles.Impressive.
Next time you might want to holler hello.God Forbid there is ever a next time here.

[Colin]

C'mon Arizwx... you can't be like that... you gotta have HOPE! Things are going to get better, don't worry...

[Arizwx]

C'mon Arizwx... you can't be like that... you gotta have HOPE! Things are going to get better, don't worry...

I'm Ok Colin.I just hope we don't witness anymore MegaBlazes,esp of we can all learn how to manage our national treasures and resources properly...K Bud?

[Guest]

However tragic this fire is - time moves forward - I have followed alot of wildfires in the western USA - as devasting as they are - life will return - granted it might be different in alot of ways - it will return.

Yes our treasures must be protected - and they will be to the ability of living human beings.

Just my two cents.

[Aslkahuna]

will be destroyed one by one if the Robin Silvers of this life have their way and that also includes our way of life since that is their ultimate goal.

Steve

[weatherlover427]

Quite a report there, very detailed and informative! Thanks for sharing. I sure hope the situation there improves ASAP! :o

[Arizwx]

However tragic this fire is - time moves forward - I have followed alot of wildfires in the western USA - as devasting as they are - life will return - granted it might be different in alot of ways - it will return.

Yes our treasures must be protected - and they will be to the ability of living human beings.

Just my two cents.

Ticka:
It will take 30 yrs for the Aspen groves to return...and nearly 400 yrs for one of the last great Stands of Ponderosa Pine to reflourish..at which time the Aspens will have to be thinned.This is if there are no major floods or freezes,Bark Beetle Infestations which eat away at the Natural outer skins of the Trees that protect them from fire.
I see our enviro friends are more worried about the Sabino Canyon Chub Fish and the effects of the fire.At this moment enviros are actually working to capturing the 3in(max)fish and relocating them to..my backyard..the Upper Canada Del Oro Wash resevior next to the fire.
They poisined the water for 3 yrs to kill off the brown Sunfish,because it was endangering the little Chub.
Yes life goes on...as insane as it gets.

[azsnowman]

I HOPE that THIS has taught these enviro terrorists a lesson! I hope they sit in their offices down there, scratching their heads and butts and wonder what the hell THEY have done, this time, it's on THEIR heads, I HOPE to hell they have sleepless nights, have to sit and look at the *moonscape* that THEY created, I hope to hell their houses get washed away from flash floods that THEY caused, a little harsh, NO........a little unsympathetic, NO.......

I apologize for the foul language, I know it's not necc., I know it's uncalled for but dang it..........ENOUGH is ENOUGH, it's TIME to lock these FRUIT LOOPS up and get on with thinning our forest, which by the way, IS gonna take MANY generations to come to rebuild, to replant. By rights, the Ponderosa Pines should not even be here, the climate is not the best for them, that's why it takes them so long to regrow, the ideal scenario, the wet NorthWest........so YES......we DO have to manage our forests a whole heck of a lot better and let these enviro terrorists rot in Hades!

Dennis

[Stormsfury]

I HOPE that THIS has taught these enviro terrorists a lesson! I hope they sit in their offices down there, scratching their heads and butts and wonder what the hell THEY have done, this time, it's on THEIR heads, I HOPE to hell they have sleepless nights, have to sit and look at the *moonscape* that THEY created, I hope to hell their houses get washed away from flash floods that THEY caused, a little harsh, NO........a little unsympathetic, NO.......

I apologize for the foul language, I know it's not necc., I know it's uncalled for but dang it..........ENOUGH is ENOUGH, it's TIME to lock these FRUIT LOOPS up and get on with thinning our forest, which by the way, IS gonna take MANY generations to come to rebuild, to replant. By rights, the Ponderosa Pines should not even be here, the climate is not the best for them, that's why it takes them so long to regrow, the ideal scenario, the wet NorthWest........so YES......we DO have to manage our forests a whole heck of a lot better and let these enviro terrorists rot in Hades!

Dennis

Dennis, your words are not harsh by any means...in fact, the truth is the best medicine and you are speaking it right now ... There's a lot of things that I obviously do not know about Arizona and I'm sorry for my ignorance ... but I know of the many environmentalists that you speak of ...

Though a little harsh to wish them harm, I would likely want the same thing you do in that aspect ... but does that make that right? Just remember this, Dennis ... they will have to answer for their doings in due time, and if they have a conscience in their soul and realize of their doings, the guilt they feel will be far worse than anything you or I can even imagine ...

Also just remember this also and don't worry about the harsh language, b/c we all know and understand how upset you are right now and it shows to myself and everyone else that you are human, with a conscience and a soul ...

Believe me when I say this, and rest assured, that the same environmentalists responsible for this, WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO A HIGHER POWER ABOVE ALL OF US, and they will be judged accordingly.

SF

[Aslkahuna]

that AZSnow by and large refers to are Communists and therefore by definition do NOT believe in a higher being nor being held accountable for their lives by a higher power. Consequently they couldn't care less. No they must be punished here and now and swiftly and in the strongest manner possible.

Steve

[M2]

Well - like last year, I waited for Jim Paxton (USFS) to provide the 10pm
additional details regarding the fire which he is still doing for us...

The Aspen Fire, now +20,000 acres is approximately 15% contained
but is still continuing to spread northeast. It has doubled in size since
last night. A Red Flag warning will be issued tomorrow for the 7th
consecutive day. The leading edge is ~5 miles away now from the
small town of Oracle where we were yesterday; if it moves around
the YMCA camp tomorrrow, officials will issue an Evacuation Notice for
the people of Oracle. Firefighters are primarily working on the advancing
perimeter areas and not the 'smokers' inside the main burn area. They
want to protect any homes, buildings and infrastructure first - that's
where the resources will be used.

This fire today created its own weather again today - 3000 to 4000 degree
heat is rising above the ridgeline and once cooled, creating a downdraft
which is then sucked up back into the cloud and providing it's own
circulation - and method to spread hot embers uphill.

Basically fire managers are still expecting it to burn another couple weeks.
We'll have to wait until Tuesday to see if they actually evacuate Oracle.

I don't think the 'pseudo-environmentalists' care or are concerned one
bit whether or not their efforts to block controlled burns directly contribute
to the massive fires such as these. 'Heartless' is another word which
comes to mind...

[Arizwx]

Well - like last year, I waited for Jim Paxton (USFS) to provide the 10pm
additional details regarding the fire which he is still doing for us...

The Aspen Fire, now +20,000 acres is approximately 15% contained
but is still continuing to spread northeast. It has doubled in size since
last night. A Red Flag warning will be issued tomorrow for the 7th
consecutive day. The leading edge is ~5 miles away now from the
small town of Oracle where we were yesterday; if it moves around
the YMCA camp tomorrrow, officials will issue an Evacuation Notice for
the people of Oracle. Firefighters are primarily working on the advancing
perimeter areas and not the 'smokers' inside the main burn area. They
want to protect any homes, buildings and infrastructure first - that's
where the resources will be used.

This fire today created its own weather again today - 3000 to 4000 degree
heat is rising above the ridgeline and once cooled, creating a downdraft
which is then sucked up back into the cloud and providing it's own
circulation - and method to spread hot embers uphill.

Basically fire managers are still expecting it to burn another couple weeks.
We'll have to wait until Tuesday to see if they actually evacuate Oracle.

I don't think the 'pseudo-environmentalists' care or are concerned one
bit whether or not their efforts to block controlled burns directly contribute
to the massive fires such as these. 'Heartless' is another word which
comes to mind...

Good account of the 10pm.Unfortunately,we in NW TUS/OV are less than informed ...much less so than PHX for some reason.I lost I -net for about 6hrs Mon PM.
We have had one or two NewsChopper reports airborn from PHX Media...not much else.
I was at the Fry's Grocery earlier today,as Boy Scouts and some local concerned citizens are selling bottled water for 1 dollar to raise money for the Summerhaven Families dispalced and collections also for energy bars,etc for the Firefighters
There were some residents of Catalina and San Manuel however,outside the store jawing with Media ppl over taking too many 'personal' pix..also one could feel the tension as Media is overtaking the nicer Hotel Rooms and crowding local eateries..its to be expected I suppose.OV PD has issued strict rules for anyone unruly and may enforce a 10PM curfew if Oracle is evaced.Meanitme..on the coner Gas Prices were raised..Good Lord.
Meantime,the Wx for Tues looks bad..for firefighters as a SSW winds +50 are expected in the ridge areas and 30-40 in the Valley here.Low Rh and a poss of Dry LTG by end of week has ppl nervous..esp in Oracle.

[M2]

A couple of the PHX media are all over there with their crews and choppers
- video close-up ariel shots of huge flames and smoke circulating up &
over the summits. I know the 70 full-time resident locals didn’t want to be
interviewed after they watched the latest TUC news and Summerhaven
footage. Don’t blame them either. Who could be composed and objective
after they’ve just seen their homes and business toasted to a crisp. It’s
hard when you are attached to something so much – then it’s gone in a
heartbeat.

Uruly isn't the issue; it’s the volume of people watching the fire when
they’re driving in close proximity of others who are not looking at the road
– they’re looking at the mountains too….Curfew because L.E. doesn’t want
looting.
Oracle and San Manuel need all the tourist/firewatcher help that it
can get as you know due to the depressed economy and mine closures - -
it all helps. Then this wind – this isn’t Albuquerque – 7 Red Flag days in a
row? Our monsoons aren’t progged to get into our part of the state til
around July 15-20. Hopefully you guys will see some measurable precip
before that timeframe.