2014 Fire Season

[outdoor_lover]

And so it begins....The Secret Fire...Luckily this was addressed quickly...We are seriously going to be paying for our Dry Winter....

http://azdailysun.com/news/local/high-w ... 963f4.html

[chumley]

but seriously... they better be careful with my Cabin Loop

Is that anything like "my clairebear"? ;)

Anyway, your cabin loop has had managed fires before. It's ok.
http://hikearizona.com/photoset=8345
http://hikearizona.com/photo=100229
and sounding eerily similar: viewtopic.php?p=39159#p39159

[Jim]

@joe bartels Incorrect, I advocate for course corrections and management, not against. I do however, disagree with the idea that a conspiracy exists to perpetuate these asteroids or that they are part of a greedy plan. These are merely the universes way.

@Tough_Boots These outbursts simply must stop. You're tearing this forum apart.

[Tough_Boots]

Is that anything like "my clairebear"?

what I do alone in the forest is my business

[sneakySASQUATCH]

@Tough_Boots
You sound a lot like bathroom art.

[kingsnake]

Problem is, it doesn't always stay in the woods: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... ction.html

[big_load]

It would be bad enough if the cabin burned, but I sure hope none of the springs go dry.

[chumley]

You're tearing this forum apart

Please tell me that is a Room reference.

[Jim]

https://www.facebook.com/SitgreavesFire ... n=timeline

I guess the FS finds FB easier to manage, or better to interact with the public? They started a page for the Sitgreaves. Should be dry the next few days, which is great for continued fore growth. Most of the planned burn area had 1.5 to 2 inches of rain in the last 3 weeks.

[paulhubbard]

Because my family owns property across the creek from Call of the Canyon (West Fork), I was able to use a 'private' trail to get a peek at the opening to West Fork. Honestly the damage appears to be minimal, low intensity, healthy ground clearing. The area around the signage near the old lodge/chicken coop is very overgrown and lush, despite being hit by parts of the fire. I'm told there were back burns that were started along the trail just past the first water crossing, but they too look like healthy burns.

It was odd being back there with no people, but it's pretty nice to see wildlife (deer, a grey fox) wandering around. There was lots of fresh bear scat, one of the residents said there's a smaller 4-5 year old (estimated) bear that's been spotted around in the meadow and nearby hillsides a couple of times.

I've been told (unsubstantiated) that West Fork will remain closed to the general public for the remainder of this year, and quite possibly even the entirety of 2015.

[outdoor_lover]

I've been told (unsubstantiated) that West Fork will remain closed to the general public for the remainder of this year, and quite possibly even the entirety of 2015.

They're worried about Flooding and Deadfall aka Widowmakers....

[big_load]

I've been told (unsubstantiated) that West Fork will remain closed to the general public for the remainder of this year, and quite possibly even the entirety of 2015.

They're worried about Flooding and Deadfall aka Widowmakers....

With good reason. I remember the night Mrs. big_load and I were camped on Sandy Saddle, the autumn after the Willow Fire. A three-day storm rolled in and we were cut off in the night by flash flooding on both ends of the saddle. The several miles of the Barnhardt trail simply melted away. Apart from the frequent lightning, snow, and hail, what I remember most about that night was the sound of snags falling all around as the soil washed out from their roots. (All of which was why we camped right on the peak of the saddle, safely out of reach, but not by much).

[azbackpackr]

This Sitgreaves Complex Fire is nearby Williams. The wind has come up a lot today, and it has started to be dry again, so I guess the fire got bigger than they had planned on. I don't know...

[paulhubbard]

The fire near Willard Springs between 89a and I-17 seemed to have grown substantially over the weekend too. Sunday it looked like there were two main sources of smoke.

[Jim]

This Sitgreaves Complex Fire is nearby Williams. The wind has come up a lot today, and it has started to be dry again, so I guess the fire got bigger than they had planned on. I don't know...

I think they just combined them for convenience, since the 2 fires were literally right next to each other. If >75% of the area burns in a low to moderate intensity, that should be a very good thing.

[hippiepunkpirate]

When I was driving from Williams to Flag around sunset, I stopped at the Pittman Valley exit to grab this shot of the Sitgreaves Complex Fire. Looks like a healthy burn to me.

http://hikearizona.com/photo=431736

[Jim]

The Sitgreaves should grow very well over the next few days before storms probably redevelop Friday or over the weekend. My guess is there will be impressive growth with the warm and dry conditions. With Jake's photo showing most of the mountain has been burned, it will probably start to back west and south by Thursday. I don't know about a closure, but one could call the FS and inquire. Depending on what is going on, you might be able to hike up there and get some images (this weekend) like Chumley and others did in 2009 on the Rim. Best to stay off the slopes when burning, as even with low intensity, there is a lot of fuel up there and once that starts to burn it can set stuff loose.

[Dschur]

Bar M Fire

Size: Approximately 25 acres
Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
Behavior: Creeping, smoldering
Smoke will be noticeable from Lake Mary Road, Munds Park, and Mormon Lake Village. The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.

Update on Payson Roundup

Bar M Fire

#Size: Approximately 500 acres.

#Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected.

#Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.

#The public should expect an increase of smoke tonight in the Mormon Lake area. It may also drift down-canyon toward the Verde Valley


#The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, including a portion of Forest Roads 127 and 126.

[hippiepunkpirate]

It's interesting to think that current situation of many small fires started by lightning would have been the norm every summer in the natural fire regime of centuries past.

[Jim]

It's interesting to think that current situation of many small fires started by lightning would have been the norm every summer in the natural fire regime of centuries past.

True, but we are too keen to down play the role natives played in lighting fires. We have abundant documentation of that.

[Jim]

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3999/

A new small fire on NPS lands in the RINCONS!!!! Might be a contender to let burn, which would be great. I was able see a small puff of smoke coming up the east slope, when I was on Wrightson, today.

The area has burned six times since the 1940s, and most recently during the 1994 Rincon Fire. Fire behavior is currently moderate, dampened by humidity and recent rain.