I can see/smell the smoke from the Thomas Fire even with it being over 29+ miles away, it appeared at one time yesterday that the fire had *crowned*, not good. As you read, this fire is now threating homes, poor ppl, I know exactly how they feel!
firefighter, what a honorable job you have, if you do make it out west here, give me a buzz, I'll buy the first beer!
Dennis
A bad fire!
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mf_dolphin
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azsnowman
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Went to Spingerville today, boy, talk about a *flashback*, it took us back to 18 June of last year. The smoke when we got there was laying down, we left around 1130, the pyrocumulus had just started to build over the fire, NOT GOOD, that translates into a *crown fire* once again, no offical reports as of 1650 MST, as soon as I get one, I'll post it. They don't seem TOO concerned over the fire, in fact, the latest article at http://www.wicentral.com said that this is a benefical fire, NOW.....this article was written and posted before the fire crowned, we'll see!
Dennis
Dennis
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azsnowman
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Fire Reports & Up-Dates 2003.
(6/13/3) ARIZONA THOMAS FIRE is now 5,178 acres and burning in Blue Range Primitive Area in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 16 miles south of Alpine. THOMAS was started by lightning June 6 and is expected to grow east, south, and west due to topography and fuels. Rich Kvale's Eastern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team has been assigned to the incident. For more information, call THOMAS FIRE INFORMATION OFFICE at (928-339-4124). Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest implemented an area closure that restricts public access in the vicinity of THOMAS FIRE. The closure area affects the Blue Range Primitive Area west of the Blue River and north of Steeple Mesa Trail and includes the following trails: Foote Creek Trail, Horse Ridge Trail, Tutt Creek Trail, Grant Creek Trail, Upper Grant Trail, Steeple Shortcut Trail, Paradise Park Trail. and Steeple Mesa Trail. Most of the Blue Range Primitive Area remains open. The closure will remain in effect until area trails can be re-opened safely for the public.
Well, as you can see by this report, the fire is still crankin!!! God I hope this get this out SOON!
Dennis
Fire Reports & Up-Dates 2003.
(6/13/3) ARIZONA THOMAS FIRE is now 5,178 acres and burning in Blue Range Primitive Area in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 16 miles south of Alpine. THOMAS was started by lightning June 6 and is expected to grow east, south, and west due to topography and fuels. Rich Kvale's Eastern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team has been assigned to the incident. For more information, call THOMAS FIRE INFORMATION OFFICE at (928-339-4124). Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest implemented an area closure that restricts public access in the vicinity of THOMAS FIRE. The closure area affects the Blue Range Primitive Area west of the Blue River and north of Steeple Mesa Trail and includes the following trails: Foote Creek Trail, Horse Ridge Trail, Tutt Creek Trail, Grant Creek Trail, Upper Grant Trail, Steeple Shortcut Trail, Paradise Park Trail. and Steeple Mesa Trail. Most of the Blue Range Primitive Area remains open. The closure will remain in effect until area trails can be re-opened safely for the public.
Well, as you can see by this report, the fire is still crankin!!! God I hope this get this out SOON!
Dennis
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azsnowman
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No Ed, sadly, it won't......this area was ONE of the few areas that was beetle free, the altitude that this fire is burning at is around 8000-8500', too cold for those little boogers.
We witnessed the fire *crown* yesterday sending many, many pyrocumulus clouds, one right after another to heights of 40,000+k then collapsing on themselves forcing the fire to crown, much like the Rodeo Fire did. I don't have a acre count this morning, I'm sure it's WELL over 7000 acres now AND the worst part, this caused the fire to burn to the west, towards US AGAIN!! We're still a very safe distance away BUT.......if this fire keeps crowning and producing the pyrocumulus, ANYTHING is possible!
Dennis
We witnessed the fire *crown* yesterday sending many, many pyrocumulus clouds, one right after another to heights of 40,000+k then collapsing on themselves forcing the fire to crown, much like the Rodeo Fire did. I don't have a acre count this morning, I'm sure it's WELL over 7000 acres now AND the worst part, this caused the fire to burn to the west, towards US AGAIN!! We're still a very safe distance away BUT.......if this fire keeps crowning and producing the pyrocumulus, ANYTHING is possible!
Dennis
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azsnowman
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Well, I was 100 acres off my calculations, there's a way to guesstamate the acreage by using a compass, plot it on a map, guess at the long/lat and there you have it!
Thomas Fire Update
ALPINE, AZ (June 13, 2003) — The Thomas Fire grew to 6,900 acres yesterday due in large part to burnout operations conducted to establish control lines. As a result, containment increased to 20 percent where firefighters have been holding the line along the northern flank of the fire. Today, firefighters will conduct cleanup along Coronado Trail Scenic Byway (Highway 191) and begin mopping up in that section. Fire burnout operations will continue today along the western and eastern flanks. With winds expected from the northwest, areas to the south that have not received smoke from previous operations may be affected today.
Firefighters will continue burnout operations to strengthen control lines south from the right fork of Foote Creek south to Horse Ridge Trail, and from P Bar east to Paradise Park. Crews have also established control lines into the right fork of Foote Creek, from Highway 191 to approximately two miles west of Deer Mountain. Although no imminent threat exists to private property in the Blue River Valley area, structural protection is in place as a precautionary measure.
Highway 191 will remain closed south of Alpine at Forest Road 26 (Beaverhead) to Hannagan Meadow; however, pilot cars will be available for escorts through the closed area.
As of late yesterday, 475 firefighting personnel including14 crews, six helicopters, seven engines, and three water tenders are assigned to the fire. Resources come from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Arizona Land Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the fire departments of Eager, Lakeside, and Alpine.
An area closure remains in effect in the vicinity of the Thomas Fire; however, most of the 171,000-acre Blue Range Primitive Area is open for public use. The closure will remain in effect until the trails in the fire area can be re-opened safely to the public.
Thomas Fire Update
ALPINE, AZ (June 13, 2003) — The Thomas Fire grew to 6,900 acres yesterday due in large part to burnout operations conducted to establish control lines. As a result, containment increased to 20 percent where firefighters have been holding the line along the northern flank of the fire. Today, firefighters will conduct cleanup along Coronado Trail Scenic Byway (Highway 191) and begin mopping up in that section. Fire burnout operations will continue today along the western and eastern flanks. With winds expected from the northwest, areas to the south that have not received smoke from previous operations may be affected today.
Firefighters will continue burnout operations to strengthen control lines south from the right fork of Foote Creek south to Horse Ridge Trail, and from P Bar east to Paradise Park. Crews have also established control lines into the right fork of Foote Creek, from Highway 191 to approximately two miles west of Deer Mountain. Although no imminent threat exists to private property in the Blue River Valley area, structural protection is in place as a precautionary measure.
Highway 191 will remain closed south of Alpine at Forest Road 26 (Beaverhead) to Hannagan Meadow; however, pilot cars will be available for escorts through the closed area.
As of late yesterday, 475 firefighting personnel including14 crews, six helicopters, seven engines, and three water tenders are assigned to the fire. Resources come from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Arizona Land Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the fire departments of Eager, Lakeside, and Alpine.
An area closure remains in effect in the vicinity of the Thomas Fire; however, most of the 171,000-acre Blue Range Primitive Area is open for public use. The closure will remain in effect until the trails in the fire area can be re-opened safely to the public.
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azsnowman
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Thomas Fire Update
ALPINE, AZ (June 16, 2003) — The 10,618-acre Thomas Fire in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest was 80 percent contained as of yesterday evening. Smoke from islands of unburned fuel in the fire’s interior will continue to flare up for days but does not pose a threat to private lands on the southern edge of the fire outside the primitive area.
Highway 191 is now open to all traffic; however, travelers should keep speeds down between Beaverhead and Hannagan Meadow where engines and water tenders continue to operate along the roadway.
The Thomas Fire started June 6 from a lightning strike in the Blue Range Primitive Area. It spread quickly along the ridgetop, pushed by winds, and moved into the interior of the nation’s sole primitive area. The primitive area in the vicinity of the fire will remain closed until fire suppression operations cease; however, the majority of the Blue Range Primitive Area remains open to public access.
Today, fire crews will continue to mop up and patrol the western, southwestern and northern fire perimeters that were intentionally burned out to establish blackened fuel breaks. Aircraft will monitor control lines on the northwest flank of the fire where fire activity is now fairly quiet. On the southeastern flank, firefighters will reinforce control lines in the Foote Creek area and rehabilitate areas of the line to minimize erosion.
A total of 417 firefighters, support and management personnel are working on the Thomas Fire today including 11 crews, six helicopters, six engines, and three water tenders.
ALPINE, AZ (June 16, 2003) — The 10,618-acre Thomas Fire in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest was 80 percent contained as of yesterday evening. Smoke from islands of unburned fuel in the fire’s interior will continue to flare up for days but does not pose a threat to private lands on the southern edge of the fire outside the primitive area.
Highway 191 is now open to all traffic; however, travelers should keep speeds down between Beaverhead and Hannagan Meadow where engines and water tenders continue to operate along the roadway.
The Thomas Fire started June 6 from a lightning strike in the Blue Range Primitive Area. It spread quickly along the ridgetop, pushed by winds, and moved into the interior of the nation’s sole primitive area. The primitive area in the vicinity of the fire will remain closed until fire suppression operations cease; however, the majority of the Blue Range Primitive Area remains open to public access.
Today, fire crews will continue to mop up and patrol the western, southwestern and northern fire perimeters that were intentionally burned out to establish blackened fuel breaks. Aircraft will monitor control lines on the northwest flank of the fire where fire activity is now fairly quiet. On the southeastern flank, firefighters will reinforce control lines in the Foote Creek area and rehabilitate areas of the line to minimize erosion.
A total of 417 firefighters, support and management personnel are working on the Thomas Fire today including 11 crews, six helicopters, six engines, and three water tenders.
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azsnowman
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Once again we find ourselves in Az burning up! God I hope the *nonsoons* kick in SOON!!
Section of I-40 closed by fire
Crews try to keep blaze contained
Associated Press
Jun. 17, 2003 12:00 AM
FLAGSTAFF - A wildfire burning through a drought- and pest-ravaged forest Monday forced authorities to close a stretch of Interstate 40, the main route across northern Arizona. The route reopened about 8 p.m. Monday
The "Lizard" fire had burned 1,400 acres of piñon pine and juniper forest about 14 miles east of Flagstaff. As it approached I-40 from the south, the state Department of Public Safety closed an 18-mile stretch in both directions because of smoke and flying embers.
Crews were burning out south from the interstate to prevent the fire from crossing the highway, said Karen Malis-Clark, a fire information officer for the Coconino National Forest. Most of the acreage growth on Monday resulted from those burnout operations, she said.
The blaze was sparked by lightning about a week and a half ago but smoldered low to the ground until Sunday.
'Thomas' fire
Fire crews continued making progress Monday toward containing the 10,600-acre Thomas fire, 15 miles southwest of Alpine, officials said.
The blaze remained active in its interior and toward the southern flank, a Coronado National Forest spokeswoman said.
The fire was about 80 percent contained.
'Mormon' fire
The Mormon fire had grown to 2,500 acres on the eastern edge of the Coconino National Forest as it continued its advance Monday.
Officials have been carefully watching the lightning-sparked fire but allowing it to burn through dead trees as it headed toward grasses and lighter fuels, said Ken Frederick, fire information officer for the Coconino National Forest.
'Picacho Reservoir'
A 700-acre, human-caused blaze was burning through desert brush Monday near Coolidge, but fire crews were not actively trying to put out the blaze.
Arizona State Land Department dispatch manager Deneen Cone said several people were patrolling the fire to ensure it didn't grow, but the interior was being allowed to burn to clear out brush.
'River' fire
A 491-acre fire on the Colorado River Indian Reservation was being called fully contained Monday.
The River fire was burning between Bullhead City and Needles, Calif.
Dennis
Section of I-40 closed by fire
Crews try to keep blaze contained
Associated Press
Jun. 17, 2003 12:00 AM
FLAGSTAFF - A wildfire burning through a drought- and pest-ravaged forest Monday forced authorities to close a stretch of Interstate 40, the main route across northern Arizona. The route reopened about 8 p.m. Monday
The "Lizard" fire had burned 1,400 acres of piñon pine and juniper forest about 14 miles east of Flagstaff. As it approached I-40 from the south, the state Department of Public Safety closed an 18-mile stretch in both directions because of smoke and flying embers.
Crews were burning out south from the interstate to prevent the fire from crossing the highway, said Karen Malis-Clark, a fire information officer for the Coconino National Forest. Most of the acreage growth on Monday resulted from those burnout operations, she said.
The blaze was sparked by lightning about a week and a half ago but smoldered low to the ground until Sunday.
'Thomas' fire
Fire crews continued making progress Monday toward containing the 10,600-acre Thomas fire, 15 miles southwest of Alpine, officials said.
The blaze remained active in its interior and toward the southern flank, a Coronado National Forest spokeswoman said.
The fire was about 80 percent contained.
'Mormon' fire
The Mormon fire had grown to 2,500 acres on the eastern edge of the Coconino National Forest as it continued its advance Monday.
Officials have been carefully watching the lightning-sparked fire but allowing it to burn through dead trees as it headed toward grasses and lighter fuels, said Ken Frederick, fire information officer for the Coconino National Forest.
'Picacho Reservoir'
A 700-acre, human-caused blaze was burning through desert brush Monday near Coolidge, but fire crews were not actively trying to put out the blaze.
Arizona State Land Department dispatch manager Deneen Cone said several people were patrolling the fire to ensure it didn't grow, but the interior was being allowed to burn to clear out brush.
'River' fire
A 491-acre fire on the Colorado River Indian Reservation was being called fully contained Monday.
The River fire was burning between Bullhead City and Needles, Calif.
Dennis
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