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.

[Jim]

I'm wondering how this unexpectedly late fire will be mid-week for spread and smoke production. Big growth today with low containment. If my blistered great toe is OK by Wednesday, I'd like to hike Mazatzal Peak, but yet another fire.

[chumley]

@Jim_H
I would expect it to be smoky. If Tonto's recent management policies can be applied to this fire, they will burn everything between Bartlett Lake and Sheep Bridge, except if that doesn't cover enough acreage, in which case they'll start in Camp Verde and head south until they've gotten all of it.

[big_load]

except if that doesn't cover enough acreage, in which case they'll start in Camp Verde and head south until they've gotten all of it.

You mean like Camp Verde down to Scottsdale?

[mazatzal]

Bye bye lime creek

[chumley]

lime creek

For now that's where they've drawn the line on their "public safety" map. That might mean they will drop ignitions there and burn south. Remember ... if they protect the one ranch out there ... nothing else important is threatened!

[DixieFlyer]

@Jim_H
which route are you going to take up to Mazzy Peak? I haven't done that one in a couple of years, so it is in my crosshairs to do again...but I will wait another few weeks for the temps to cool a bit

[Jim]

@DixieFlyer I planned to go up the common descent route, which is the drainage on the north slope loaded with maples. Might be some color, too. I can be persuaded to do Suicide ridge, but I won't come from Y-bar.

I really want smoke from the Sears, and any major fires to be gone. Sears especially as if it blows up in the day it can smoke out the morning on the Barnyard trail. California is acting up again, so hopefully the white flith haze doesn't return. I want views when I do Mazatzal Peak, so prefer to wait and have clear air over longer days, this fall.

[Sun_Ray]

Best map I was able to find this morning. Time stamp yesterday 12:17 PM.

[chumley]

This one appears to be in the books. A closure remains, but main roads are reopened.

FINAL UPDATE: Sears Fire - Oct. 4
Seven Springs Road and Horseshoe Dam Road Reopen
PHOENIX, Oct. 4, 2020 –Management of the Sears Fire will transition back to the Cave Creek Ranger District at 6 p.m., Sunday evening. This will be the final news update unless there are significant changes in fire activity. The fire remains at 14,476 acres and is 60 percent contained.

Residents and visitors to the area may see occasional smoke over the next several days as interior pockets of vegetation continue to burn within the fire perimeter. Large ash whirls (similar to dust devils) are frequently seen within the burned area as well.

Firefighters continue to monitor areas around critical infrastructure on Humboldt Lookout and are closely monitoring structures in the Camp Creek recreation residences. Road grading to repair impacts from firefighting vehicles on Seven Springs Road (NFSR 24) and Horseshoe Road (NFSR 205) was completed over the weekend. There are approximately 60 personnel assigned to the incident consisting of engines, hand crews, water tenders and helicopters.

The Sears Fire Closure Order has been modified to reopen Seven Springs Road (NFSR 24) and Horseshoe Dam Road (NFSR 205). Bartlett Dam Road, Bartlett Lake recreation sites and marina are also open. Please slow down and watch out for firefighters and equipment that are working in the area.

The Maricopa Trail segment from Bronco Trailhead to Bartlett Dam Road remains closed as is runs though the center of the fire closure area. For more information about Maricopa Trails visit https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/mar ... ivityId=71

The closure order shall remain in effect until further notice and the signed closure order, closure area map and available photos can be viewed and downloaded at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7218/. Any changes or lifting of the closure order will be posted on Inciweb and to the Tonto National Forest official Facebook page.