"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 )

[azbackpackr]

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.

Ok, was able to view what geomac has up at this writing, 4:30 a.m. Sat. And it is OLD info. Last night in Eagar, it was announced that the fire has overrun the Big Lake fire tower, and that it's less than 10 miles both from Greer and also from Luna, N.M. So, maybe this "geomac" website does not update their files very regularly, since it does not show the fire perimeter very near to Big Lake.

[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.

Ok, finally took the time to figure this out. Thanks, Rick. This one DOES show the fire making a prong up toward Big Lake. It does NOT show anything on the slopes of Escudilla, nor any spot fires in Nutrioso, which were reported at the meeting in Eagar. So, we shall see what the morrow brings...

[haggster]

It appears that inciweb is getting their perimeter map from, http://www.geomac.gov/index.shtml, which is a little slow in publishing maps. The forest service link, http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/index.php, is faster with the MODIS maps. Maybe a little more reliable too.

[paulhubbard]

Just heard on the news that the fire is now 140,000 acres. Ouch

[chumley]

Where will it stop? At 140k, 0% containment, and no natural boundaries to stop it...

If they're getting close to evacuating Greer, then I would think that Sunrise and the Baldy wilderness is also in jeopardy. Prevailing winds seem to be pushing the front toward the north/northeast, which could jeopardize Escudilla.

I would think that they can keep it from getting down into Round Valley because fire tends to have a tougher time spreading downhill, and allows firefighters to perhaps build a line?

[paulhubbard]

I've never been to Alpine, but looking at satellite photos it appears there may be a natural fire break at that point?

[Alston_Neal]

Oh my. I just downloaded to GE and saw our beautiful camp last year under a red square...
I feel so bad for all the people and animals effected.

[azbackpackr]

There was a meeting in Eagar this morning where the officials told people to be prepared, but they have not issued an evac order yet.

[kevinweitzel75]

I heard that N. Cali is getting record setting rain. I wonder if any of that is headed this way. We could use it.

[PaleoRob]

No update on the map since yesterday - I certainly wish it was updated. I want to know what is happening to Alpine and neither the USFS, inciweb, and the WM Independent seem to know.

[JimmyLyding]

I heard that N. Cali is getting record setting rain. I wonder if any of that is headed this way. We could use it.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like any of the rain here is going to make it to Arizona. Arizona needs some help from the weather in the worst way.

[RangerKelly]

I heard that N. Cali is getting record setting rain. I wonder if any of that is headed this way. We could use it.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like any of the rain here is going to make it to Arizona. Arizona needs some help from the weather in the worst way.

Actually i checked the weather and Sunday thru Monday there is a 30% chance of precipitation in the white mountains. And the winds are not forcasted to be that bad. It isn't a guarentee but its something. I would just hate to see this fire grow and grow.

[kevinweitzel75]

News here in the valley reported 30mph gusts with dry thunderstorms tomarrow. Not good news.

[haggster]

According to the new MODIS map, the fire is now burning around Tal-Wi-Wi Lodge and slowly making its way up Escudilla. In 1951 a fire burned 23,000 acres on Escudilla before a snowstorm in June put it out.

[jdcollard]

We are in Pinetop and woke up to the smell of smoke in the air...

[Al_HikesAZ]

InciWeb update 0930 06/05/11 http://inciweb.org/unit/292/ 144,000 acres. A big spur yesterday moved toward Big Lake. Greer is under pre evacuation notice. Here is the map
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ftp/InciWeb/AZ ... 528-0.jpeg
Direction appears to have swung from northeast to northnortheast

[chumley]

Al, that map is from Friday night at 11:52pm. Nearly 36 hours ago! The Inciweb has really started to fall behind in information.

The Modis Satellite from 2:55 am this morning (Sunday June 5) shows a bit more. Note, the official perimeter has not been updated by the Type 1 team in charge, but clearly the fire has grown, including on the west side of Big Lake, and starting up Escudilla as Chazz said above. You can access the MODIS map at this website:
http://www.geomac.gov/viewer/viewer.shtml

I've put together a couple of screenshots and labeled some landmarks if its easier for readers of this forum. Please note that the purple perimeters in the lower portion are historic fires. I enabled that layer because it often helps visualize barriers to growth.

June 5, 2011. 2:55am MST

[Nighthiker]

Anyone take note of the fire maps on this web site on its home page for comparison ?

[big_load]

Anyone take note of the fire maps on this web site on its home page for comparison ?

Yes, that was the first thing I did. This one shows a little more spreading. I think the "Past Fire" information is a good addition.

[chumley]

The fire maps on the home page are taken from the downloadable google earth files of the official perimeter posted on the official inciweb site. I don't know if it's due to the power failure at the command center or what, but they have been pretty slow at updating the perimeter maps. And while I like updated information, I'm also perfectly content if their resources are all being spent on containing the fire rather than updating the maps.