Sears Fire

[LosDosSloFolks]

A new fire has started near the Blue Wash/Camp Creek Falls Trailhead off of Cave Creek Road. Rural Metro Fire Dept. is assisting TNF Fire Division.
Several buildings at the Sears-Kay Ranch have been destroyed. The 2020 curse continues.

[Hansenaz]

How come you always report these fires within seconds of them starting?

[LosDosSloFolks]

@Hansenaz
Cathy's magnifying glass death ray/ant hill habit is harder to break than we ever thought.

[Alston_Neal]

How come you always report these fires within seconds of them starting?

Because Greg may not be a rocket scientist, but he's smart enough now to report it after it starts.

[Jim]

At least losDos reports them after they start, not before. That is the key difference.

I'm not celebrating this at all, but with expectations for smoke today and tomorrow, this fire made my decision to hike Humphrey (trigger warning if you don't want to encounter me on the trail) tomorrow instead of Mazatzal Peak. In the current satellite image it looks pretty clear in Northern Arizona, so with luck it stays that way. The Verde River Valley might be smoke choaked tomorrow morning, and if the fire breaks out, it may be very smokey to the ENE.

[chumley]

Apparently they didn't like your suggestion for naming it Blue Wash.

The Sears Fire is burning on the Cave Creek Ranger District. The fire is located near FS Road 24 (Seven Springs) and the Sears Kay area, and is 450 acres. The Sears Fire is burning in grass and brush. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

At this time there are 15 engines, 1 hand crew, 1 Air Attack plane, 2 Single Engine Air tankers, and 2 helicopters assigned to the incident. Additional resources have been ordered, and are responding. The Camp Creek Summer Homes have been evacuated as a precaution, and firefighters are providing structure prep and protection to that area. No other evacuations are in effect at this time, and no structures have been damaged.

This is from the Tonto NF FB page ... contradicts your update about structures at the ranch.

[Nighthiker]

I think the smoke is from the Sears Fire that was taken this evening up near the Payson Airport.

[LosDosSloFolks]

@chumley
I renamed my post back when they gave it an official name. This ABC video clearly shows several out buildings and a motor home at the Sears Kay Ranch fully involved. One major structure can also be seen going up with tall flames exiting the roof. Reference the start and @ 45:00 to 46:00 approx. in the video link. Time stamp may be fluid as it is (or was) a live feed I think.

[Mountain_Rat]

@LosDosSloFolks
ABC must be mistaken. I mean if FS says something, then it must be true and non-conflicted. Anything else is just blasphemy. Never question the great FS!

[Sun_Ray]

I’m 13 miles SW of Sears Kay Ruins and there is a strong smell of smoke in the air.

[Jim]

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7218/

This is the one?

[DixieFlyer]

I could certainly smell the smoke this morning as I was descending down Thompson Peak in the McDowells

[Jim]

@DixieFlyer
Did I make the correct choice to drive north instead of go to the Mazatzals? I bet it was smokey in them.

There is another start in the Blue Range, if anyone is interested in that. @Friendofthundergod

[DixieFlyer]

@Jim_H
It might depend on which way the wind was blowing wrt whether or not the Mazzies are getting any smoke from the Sears fire -- you were probably safer to head north to Flag. I can certainly smell smoke outside of my house this morning -- there is hardly any wind right now. Yesterday, I could see the smoke moving from the WNW into the town of Rio Verde and into Fountain Hills.

[FOTG]

@Jim_H I just had a good weekend, don’t kill my vibe with forest fire talk...

[Jim]

@friendofThundergod
Hey, I was just wondering if you new about it.

[FOTG]

@Jim_H I think we were backpacking the night it started Labor Day Weekend, lightning...I thought it seemed pretty under control, but who knows sigh...

[Jim]

@friendofThundergod
This has been such an F-ed up year.

Added: I see from Inciweb it is the Moo Cow Fire.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7158/

Or, something.

[Jim]

The persistent haze has finally cleared! So, you can really see the smoke from the Sears Fire, today.

I can see the New River Mountains, though. That is good visibility.

[LosDosSloFolks]

@Jim_H
I'm viewing the plume of the Sears Fire from my back patio...moving N/E now. Seems to lay down overnight and drift west into Cave Creek and settle in the low areas until the prevailing winds switch back during the warming of the day. It was like a fresh campfire this morning at our house. Aaargghh.