The West Fire

[Aslkahuna]

is a 500 acre fire burning in the San Pedro Riparian area in the Hereford area about 8 miles SSE of Sierra Vista. It is also a lightning start fire. When I was videotaping the fire, it was running hot and fast upriver to the S and SE with flames easily visible as it burned through Creosote, Mesquite and Cottonwood as well as a field of snags from an old burn some years ago. There are homes in proximity to the fire run and one heavy and two light slurry bombers making drops on the west flank to protect the structures. The fire run was aided by inflow winds into a high based thunderstorm to the SE and the fact that the smoke was being entrained into the updraft base of the thunderstorm indicated that the convective plume from the fire was being ventilated quite well with the result that inflow into the fire itself was vigorous since the fire was running faster than the winds I was measuring nearby would support. As of 6:30pm though, they have caught a break as outflow slowed the advance and advected the smoke plume away from the fire cutting off the convective outflow of the heat plume.

Steve

[Stephanie]

You take care too Steve!

[azskyman]

Keep an eye on that end of the state for us too. I see some beneficial rains have fallen in some areas...but the storms precipitate new lightning strikes and off we go again. Be safe.

[azsnowman]

My God.......this is turning out to be the worst fire season ever seen. Take care my friend....keep us posted.

Dennis

[Aslkahuna]

caught another lucky break as a juicy line of BIG boomers rumbled across the Valley tonight. Like the previous two nights, these storms were extremely electrically active. For those who have seen thunderstorms elsewhere, think Oklahoma or Texas for the displays we are seeing here. My lightning detectors were going crazy earlier. Still going on but at a much lower level as the storm cores are well west of us. We didn't get high winds, but based upon the storm structure, somebody did.

Steve

[Aslkahuna]

and the Monsoon Taketh Away-the West fire which got its start from last night's lightning and took advantage of today's heat and convection to run was unceremoniously squelched as tonights big boomer in the area dumped on it. Reports from the scene suggest heavy rains and strong winds.

Steve

[Colin]

Stay safe Steve! :o :o :o

[Stephanie]

Well, at least that's GOOD NEWS for a change Steve!

[M2]

I've also seen video of your fire on our news but glad to hear that
the Monsoons are doing double-duty this year. They'd better, after all the
grief waiting for them to kickstart themselves.

[therock1811]

I know... great news... now if we could just get something good about Pinetop!!!!!