"Wallow Fire" in Bear Wallow Wilderness

[azbackpackr]

Lots of activity in Springerville this morning, with the Prescott Hot Shots arriving at Safeway for a snack, and other buses full of firefighters seen on the highway heading for the "Wallow Fire" in Bear Wallow Wilderness Area, south of Hannagan. The smoke is not that visible, although my daughter was over at Hulsey yesterday and saw the smoke. I was up at Big Lake early this morning and could see only a haze of smoke south of there, not a big plume. I think winds too strong for it to plume up much. I'm back in Flag now, so I won't get the firsthand news any more.

Oh, and no campfires or charcoal grills allowed in the campgrounds since last night in Apache-Sitgreaves NF (Big Lake, Hannagan, etc.) I think stoves still allowed. Not sure about non-campgrounds.

Here's a news story on the Wallow Fire, but as of this writing it has not made it to inciweb yet. (Maybe tomorrow?)
( dead link removed )

Perimeter Map [ Wallow Fire Map 2011-06-27 :: map ]
Inciweb ( dead link removed )

[haggster]

That's not from inciweb

Or you can go here, http://www.geomac.gov/index.shtml. I don't know who updates the KML files first.

[Jim]

Looks like it burned clear to Alpine. I would expect that if it gets across 191, it will burn Escudilla.

Be The first to not like this...

[chumley]

The morning update is in:
(from http://inciweb.org/incident/2262/)

Size: 106,000 acres

Behavior: Active crown fire with long range spotting in mixed conifer. Fire backing down slope with spotting. Active fire behavior with isolated torching in the ponderosa pine. Fire will remain active during night time hours with the RH recoveries below 25% for the next three nights.

Significant Events: The fire made a strong push to the north and northeast with long range spotting. Evacuations included; Alpine, Nuntrioso, Hannagan Meadow Lodge, Sprucedale Guest Ranch, Brentwood Church Camp, Hannagan campground, KP campground, West Fork Black River campground, East Fork Black River campground. Burnouts around Hannagan Meadow Lodge, Sprucedale Guest Ranch and south Forest Service Road 26 east to Highway 191 around Josh Ranch. Alpine Ranger District implemented an area closure. The southern boundary of the closure area is the Mogollon Rim and goes north to Forest Roads 249 and 116. The western side of the closure is the boundaries of the San Carlos Apache and White Mountain Apache Indian Reservations and goes east to Highway 191. Highway 191 is closed from Alpine, AZ on the north, to the Strayhorse Campground on the south.

Planned Actions: Contine with point protection around threatened structures. Secure night time burnouts along Forest Road 26, Highway 191 and Forest Service Road 25 south to Wildcat Point before predicted red flag warning. Scout to the north to implement indirect line. Direct attack when feasible.

Growth Potential: Extreme

[azbackpackr]

Where did you get that map?

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/index.php

Below the map is a box where you would select "Wallow" fire. Then, if you already have google earth installed on your computer, click on "Download KMZ File". Google Earth will launch automatically and the fire data will be there.

I have google earth installed, did exactly as you said, and nothing happened except a little box appeared with very old info, and no map. Oh, well. I'm not going to mess with it because I am getting ready to leave town. If you have time, perhaps you can post those maps up from time to time?

[SkyIslandHiker]

Looks like the Apache-Sitgreaves closure just involves the Alpine Ranger District:

"Closures/Evacuations/Advisories: The movement of the Wallow Fire has prompted the Forest to announce an Area Closure on the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests effective immediately. The southern boundary of the Closure Area is the Mogollon Rim and goes north to Forest Roads 249 and 116. The western side of the closure is the boundaries of the San Carlos Apache and White Mountain Apache Indian Reservations and goes east to Highway 191. Highway 191 is closed from Alpine, AZ on the north, to the Strayhorse Campground on the south.

Portions of both Greenlee County and Apache County are affected by the closure."

source: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2262/

Bill

[azbackpackr]

Inciweb has not really been updated much since yesterday. I think Big Lake and Baldy ARE both closed, and they are NOT in the Alpine Ranger District, they are both in the Springerville District. That info you just posted is from several days ago. The phones are out at the incident command center in Alpine, and they have not updated the map for over 24 hours on inciweb.

In the local newspaper online, locals are complaining that both inciweb and the Sheriff's JIC website, which is 593info.org are not being updated in a timely manner.

Here is what I see on inciweb, posted 22 hours ago, and I don't think it has been rescinded:

"The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has announced it is expanding the Closure Area affecting the Alpine Ranger District effective immediately. The new closure area also includes the following:

· Big Lake Recreation Area

· The road to Big Lake will be closed at the scenic overlook

· Gabaldon Campground is closed

· Mt. Baldy Wilderness is closed

· The entire trail system within the wilderness is closed"

[Al_HikesAZ]

Liz - Inciweb updated about 2 hours ago. The fire is now at about 110,000 acres.

Communications & Infrastructure
Incident: Wallow Wildfire
Released: 1:53 hrs. ago
The power and phone service is out in Alpine and at the incident command post. Phone service is over capacity at times. We are trying to get inciweb updated and a news release out as soon as possible.

When the power and phone service gets knocked out to the Command Center you know it's a bad fire. An IMT1 like this is usually pretty good at updating the maps once a day.

[azbackpackr]

Yeah I saw that, about the phones. The fire map is from yesterday, so I guess that is what they are trying to update, plus other info.

I just talked to someone in Eagar. I asked what rumors he's heard, if there are rumors they would evacuate Eagar/Springerville, but he said, of course there are those kinds of rumors flying around, but they are just that, rumors.

[chumley]

Inciweb has not really been updated much since yesterday. I think Big Lake and Baldy ARE both closed, and they are NOT in the Alpine Ranger District, they are both in the Springerville District....

You are correct. This is all very clearly covered in the ASNF Forest Order (including a map), which I attached to this thread yesterday.
viewtopic.php?f=45&t=6212&start=20#p71418

[RickVincent]

Appears to be a lot less "red" which is keyed as "new" fire activity. I hope that's a good sign. Forecast is calling for more 20+mph winds towards the north and northeast with 0% chance of precipitation.

[haggster]

You can download the new kml file from inciweb. Nothing new from the maps that have already been posted.

[joebartels]

Wallow Fire - Progression Map updated with 2011-06-03 data

[SkyIslandHiker]

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has issued Amendment 2 to the Emergency Closure Order which states in part:

"AREA DESCRIBED:
All National Forest System lands (NFSL), roads, and trails within the proclaimed boundary of
the Apache National Forest, which occur within the State of Arizona (Exhibit A). Included in
this closure are all NFSL contained within the Springerville, Alpine, and Clifton Ranger Districts
of the Apache National Forest."

source: https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUME ... 305234.pdf

Bill

[Grasshopper]

Wallow Fire - Progression Map updated with 2011-06-03 data

For me this day, one of bitter-sweet reflection. Exactly 4 years ago to the day on 6/03/07 I was taking a hiking break in this beautiful Bear Wallow Wilderness old growth forest igallery/image_page.php?id=4515 where the following mapped brown teardrop marker resides http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=772. (From this Rose Creek Tr309 intersection, I continued down the most awesome Schell Canyon Tr316 to connect with the Bear Wallow Tr63 to complete a most memorable dayhike in our Bear Wallow Wilderness.. http://hikearizona.com/TL.php?ID=13880 )

[SkyIslander18]

This whole fire is just making me sick! Every year I spent 1-2 weeks at my grandparent's summer home in Springerville and was set to go up in a couple of weeks. Now my family is just praying that it won't spread down to Strayhorse and destroy my mother's childhood home. I could see the plume of smoke from my home in Safford yesterday, can't see it right now.

[azbackpackr]

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has issued Amendment 2 to the Emergency Closure Order which states in part:

"AREA DESCRIBED:
All National Forest System lands (NFSL), roads, and trails within the proclaimed boundary of
the Apache National Forest, which occur within the State of Arizona (Exhibit A). Included in
this closure are all NFSL contained within the Springerville, Alpine, and Clifton Ranger Districts
of the Apache National Forest."

source: https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUME ... 305234.pdf

Bill

Sheriff's Department puts it into plain terms here: http://593info.org/

[PaleoRob]

3 cabins burnt, cell tower damaged. Fire is on the edge of Alpine. 30mph gusts tomorrow and breezy tonight. Doesn't look good for my old home.

[jdcollard]

We are pulling into Show Low...very sad to see the sky.

[chumley]

Shortly after Kai's first birthday (he just turned 12) I spent a 4-day weekend camping on a spot along the Black River that appears to have burned (according to the perimeter map). Such a beautiful part of the state...

[azbackpackr]

I am not sure what to do. I am packed and ready to go to Tucson, but am wondering if I should be heading for Eagar, pack up the family photos, etc. When I moved to Flag I didn't bring much, especially not heirlooms. Those are all in the house in Eagar. My whole life history, and that of my family, is in that house. The house could be at risk because no one has kept up the yardwork, and there is tall dry grass, downed branches, etc. The house is mostly cinderblock, with a metal roof, which is good.

There was a meeting last night in Eagar at the middle school, attended by over 1,000 people. The fire is now at over 120,000 acres, and has overrun the fire tower at Big Lake. It's less than 10 miles from Greer, and less than 10 miles from Luna, New Mexico, and has crossed the IR boundaries as well. Conditions are said to be worse than 2002, during Rodeo-Chediski Fire. (I was just at Big Lake, one week ago, going kayaking in the wind...)

The village of Greer has been put on advisory that they might have to evacuate. Eagar and Springerville residents have been told they will get 24 hours notice.

I think my Verizon phone will work at Wilderness of Rocks, so I will be able to be in contact with people in Eagar, to keep up with events, so my son and I could just hike out, hop in the car and go, if necessary. I am kind of torn up about it.

InciWeb has NOT kept up with events at all! Their map is still from a couple days ago. The best source of information has been the little newspaper, White Mtn. Independent, which has published on their website new events, even late at night. That website is http://www.wmicentral.com