The Sawtooth settled in at just under 25,000 acres, and now isn't on the national Sit Report, meaning it stabilized and had no further activity worth mention.

Containment is a bit overrated when fires are reported; it doesn't have anything to dow with whether the fire has been controlled, and containment only means that some form of control line has been put around the fire. It could be a retardant line, or something as simple as a six-inch hasty scratch line to mineral earth with hand tools. A fire can be very active and 100% contained; it's neither out, nor under control in that case. Conversely a fire may be effectively under control, and not be contained.

I used to live in Oro Valley. Saw a few fires up close, but nothing like the pictures shown here. Dang.

Last night they said that the Big Horn fire was 30% contained, and no change to the evacuation orders.

The Bighorn is up to nine million (cost) now, 30% contained (morning sit rep), Fourteen thousand acres and change. It's dropped to #3 on the national report, with a fire just northeast of Mesa (Bush fire) at 48,000 acres. The Bush fire grew 46,000 acres yesterday, while the Bighorn grew 1,400.

The Bighorn has 730 personnel assigned, and the Bush has 430. The Bush has numerous structures threatened, with torching and running fire, extreme fire behavior.

https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.pdf

was just out in the backyard and the sky is lit up with an orange glow. Two large flame fronts have come over the crest of the mountain and are now working their way down the southern face. The largest flame front (just west of Summerhaven) is turning the sky orange - it hasn't come through the canyon yet but I'm sure within a few hours it will. Need to figure out how to take better night photos with my camera.

I can see four separate and distinct flame front areas over the space of about 2 miles

My brother sent me this photo.



Sounds like summer haven will be torched soon.

Winds are light now; south at 5-8 knots, and temperatures lower, with rising relative humidity. The fire behavior lays down at night. Shorter flame lengths, slower rates of spread, cooler fire, less spotting, less ventilation, shorter runs, etc. Crews will work hand lines as best able, but air support will be minimal and no retardant (can't drop retardant at night).

Tomorrow, winds are forecast 30 knots in the valley out of the southwest, but will be higher at the fire site, epecially as wind funnels around the terrain, causing a significant increase in fire behavior.

That's a crazy picture. I just watched "Only the Brave" a few weeks ago about the Granite Hotshots.

We’re praying for everyone affected by these fires, and fly safe guppy, prayers with you too!

Thanks. I'm not doing fire this year.

There have been several aircraft down during the winter season in Australia, including the loss of a Coulson C-130Q. One hopes the US domestic season will be better.

This fire is an onry bastard. A lot of evacuations called for the Mount Lemon areas. Over 700 firefighters working on it trying to save Summerhaven. At least the temp. is much cooler up on the mountain for the firefighters.

Earlier today Mt Lemmon looked pretty quiet and the winds were light.

About an hour ago the winds picked up and Mt Lemmon looks like a volcano.

this was taken earlier this morning



this was 15 minutes ago

this was the Mt. Lemmon area this morning



this was about 15 minutes ago

for reference points, the small flat-topped little peak on the LHS of the last image is called Thimble Peak

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
Earlier today Mt Lemmon looked pretty quiet and the winds were light.

About an hour ago the winds picked up and Mt Lemmon looks like a volcano.

The burn period. Typically 1100-1600

Also when 95% of the fatalities occur on a fire.

I have some elderly friends in Green Valley so I've been checking on them regularly.

Fortunately they're ok but they've all got full tanks of gas and a bag packed and ready to load and go if necessary.

This fire would never reach green valley

The Bighorn increased eight thousand acres yesterday with forty percent containment, and presently has cost just shy of twelve million dollars.

By comparison, the Bush fire northeast of Mesa is just over 100,000 acres, having increased by 23,000 yesterday, and costs 1.9 million.

The bush has four times the acreage, less containment, and costs a sixth as much, with more structures threatened. Not nearly as expensive, those structures, nor are the occupants nearly as wealthy, and the fire isn't as high profile, or dramatic. Just bigger, faster, and threatening more.

Of course, fires on the reservation often go big, get fewer resources and far less money, and are frequently nearly unheard of by the public. It's all a matter of who and what and where is burning...but it's not treated the same.

Had either of these fires been in California, millions more would have been put on them, with thousands of firefighters and considerably more resources. It's all relative.

latest SitRep

According to the latest situation report, the fire has grown to 23,892 acres (a one day increase of 8,087 acres) and is 40% contained. They currently have 808 firefighters, 12 crews, 60 engines and 8 helicopters working the fire.