Arizona Wildfires

[JohnMiller3]

I just caught the tail end of the news... they said they are starting to evacuate the bottom part of the mountain... as the fire is now creeping down towards ya...?

How far away are ya? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[rancar]

Muhammad...

What exactly is it that is burning on these slopes? They look awfully barren. Sagebrush? Then, cactus when it gets to the valley floor? Is this when the fire line burns out? Didn't think cactus burns like a forest fire does.

Stay safe and out of harm's way.

...Bob

 

[rancar]

See today's AP news account of latest news. Mention is made of fires threatening Sabino Canyon....closing it off to all visitors. I hiked this canyon in late 1970s.....very peaceful and a rewarding trek through some very pretty desert terrain. This is most regrettable considering the fire is alleged to have been man made.

Wildfires Threaten Exclusive Arizona Area

...Bob

 

[JATO_RaT]

Muhammad, welcome to the West! Its never a matter of if but where a fire will break out. Its obviously a frightening thing, but at the same time, an exciting event to witness. Here in California its most interesting to watch the progress made combating fires. A whole new approach is slowly emerging and that would be the intentional setting of fires where a controlled situation can be handled. Problem is today we are so fuel rich in our forests that when they go, they burn hotter and much bigger taking out huge trees that in the days before fire fighting were safe. In our effort to put out forest fires, we have created forests so enriched with undergrowth that its become a bigger and bigger issue.

Some of the fire figthing equipment is truly awesome. If I could find the link, there is an airplane they used here that would skim over a lake never landing pulling in thousands of gallons of water in a matter of seconds through openings at the front. It could quickly go to a fire site dump and repeat the process. While driving along a highway in N California I was looking at a fire burning a few hundred feet from the roadway. Suddenly, a massive roar, huge thundering powerful the world is about to go type sound. Right over my truck is a huge twin engine airplane only feet above me speeding along when suddenly the doors open and red fire suppressant pours out. Oh man I wanted that job. It was an awesome sight.

My niece lives quite close to you and is building a home on about 5 acres there in Tuscon.

Rat....

 

[Muhammad]

Bob...

There are pines up there. But towards the bottom of the mountain it thins out, until you just have brush and cactus on the ground. So, eventually it should burn out.

Interesting info on the water plane, Rat. Too bad there are no lakes here! And too bad this fire didn't start just a few weeks later, as we're only two weeks away from monsoon season.

 

[Hakim]

This really could not be considered good news... from today's bulletins.

"Fire drops into Foothills

Tucson, AZ, 07.07.2003 - Residents of about 200 Foothills homes near Ventana Canyon were strongly advised to evacuate Sunday as the Aspen Fire continued its smoky march down the front range of the Catalina Mountains."

FYI, the "Foothills" area that is under threat consists of homes in the $1.7 to $7 million range. Pretty toney neighborhoods.

We aren't quite in that section /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif, but are probably about one mile away (as the fire runs /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif).

They SAY that the sparse vegetation here will make combatting any fire "easy." Famous last words /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.

I am at home today, "keeping an eye on things..." /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Bird]

If there was a fire anywhere near my home, I'd be </font><font color="blue" class="small">( "keeping an eye on things..." )</font> too; a real close eye. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Hakim]

Yessir, Bird, I'm with YOU!

Attached map from the AZ Daily Star shows backburn line and evacuation area (so far).

I put a "red dot" at the bottom of the map, South of Sunrise Drive, which is where our house is located.

Like I said, it isn't SUPPOSED to burn out into residential neighborhhods (which they are evacuating as I write!!!).

I see I placed the red dot a few blocks to the East of where we actually are. But...you get the idea.
Even though we're 1-2 miles away, this fire has travelled about 35 miles in TWO DAYS, so ...

Like I said, just going to hang aorund the house today, JUST IN CASE! Nature I do R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

 

[TresCrows]

Muhammad , I have hiked that area, sorry to see it burned over. The pines are thick and tall up there with a thick matt of needles. It was just a matter of time until lightening set it off even if this one was man made.
Muhammad , I thought you lived back in the Northeast somewhere or the Lake region. If the fire makes it to the foothills they should be able to control it then.
Fire is part of the natural process that makes way for the new, little comfort to us though, it will be another lifetime before hiking and trees return to the burned area /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. J

 

[Muhammad]

Moved to Tucson a year ago. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif