the past few days have been interesting here. A lightning storm touched off two fires Friday night. Still burning out of control. A haze blanket of smoke is moving around. Last night I watched the flames crest the top of the ridge line and start moving down the mountainside - the whole sky was lit.

Other than the fact that the smoke burns my eyes, its still 10 miles away so I'm not terribly worried but it has been fun for photography.

Yeah, I'm from Tucson and my family still resides there. My sister is posting pictures and they are beautiful and terrifying.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gw3971,

been watching the water bombers dropping their slurry - they line up essentially over my house which right now is about 10 miles to the drop point, they circle twice and lay down a fire break line

they've been working in pairs all morning

A little perspective on the Big Horn Fire in Tucson.

outside on my front deck I can see the flame front moving across the ridge - estimating flame heights at about 100 feet if the trees are about 50' which is just a swag - most likely higher

they just called for an evac in a part of the city

There’s a non—native, invasive, annual grass called red brome that is plaguing the Sonoran Desert. Same family as cheatgrass in more northern latitudes, it runs through its life-cycle early and is cured out just as things are heating up in the desert. Damn stuff is like gasoline, and every wildfire just strengthens its foothold. Lots of saguaros have already been lost to red brome fueled wildfires. Unfortunately, many more will be lost.

Some of my busiest fire seasons have started in Arizona, including a lot of drops around Tucson.

Right now Tanker 10 is on scene there, along with Leadplane 6-3; that may be what is seen as "pairs," with a leadplane and a tanker. There are tankers working the fire coming from Ft. Huachuca, and from Williams Gateway in Mesa. A number of Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) are available in AZ right now, too. Typically they stage in Ft. Huachuca and Marana, and will also be coming from Buckeye.

Nice picture.

I got an email at work a short time ago saying they are evacuating the area...
"We received notification from the Pima County Sheriff's Department that a wildfire back burn is being conducted in the Northern part of the area of the Catalina Foothills between Alvernon Way and 1st Avenue, North of Ina Road. This area is being evacuated. If you are in this area, evacuate now and move south away from the Catalina Mountains"

Unfortunately, I can see this fire TOO GOOD!! It is more than a little concerning to me. Apparently AZ ask for Federal help today and got it immediately......that is good. More hotshots coming in as we speak.

the above three photos were taken by a professional photographer - they came from an ABC affiliate website

I will try to get a few of my own uploaded tonight or tomorrow

last I heard they are going to start to do some back burning tonight

That must be terrifying. I can't imagine looking at that. Jeez!

Beautiful pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Beautiful pictures.

Apparently you have no experience having been threatened by wildfire. I have and I can tell you that those pics are not beautiful. They are terrifying.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by tanner:
A little perspective on the Big Horn Fire in Tucson.

Is that Ponatoc Ridge? That looks like the houses just above my folks. I helped load up all our cars today and took a load to store at my house. Watched the big DC10s drop slurry on the ridge. So many planes. They never went to evacuate status. I think they're in the clear for now.


Click on the image for link to video from this afternoon. Apologies, can't seem to figure out how to post it properly;


https://i.imgur.com/EsbJVmCl.mp4

Catalina fires.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Beautiful pictures.

Apparently you have no experience having been threatened by wildfire. I have and I can tell you that those pics are not beautiful. They are terrifying.

Jim

Apparently you are dead wrong.

So far today, I have not heard of them expanding the evacuation areas. If this is true, that is a good sign. I just went outside to look, and the wind has definitely picked up since this morning, and it is HOT!!! I don't know how those hot shots can work in this weather in all of that equipment they have on,......but I sure am glad that they can.