Posted on 06/22/2006 8:58:02 AM PDT by La Enchiladita
CBS/AP) A 3,260-acre fire approached a popular state park in northern Arizona, and Colorado's governor banned open burning and fireworks as a wildfire there grew to nearly 12,000 acres.
If the 3,260-acre blaze crosses the northern line crews are building and continues its march up the edge of Oak Creek Canyon, the next possible place to stop its advance is 2½ miles to the north, said Paul Broyles, the commander leading the 700 men and women battling the blaze, and more homes may be in danger.
"Today's a critical day," he told firefighters early Thursday. "I won't say it's a last ditch, but there's lot of potential. This is our good shot."
Hundreds of firefighters struggled Wednesday to prevent flames from jumping a highway in Arizona's scenic Oak Creek Canyon and threatening an area of evacuated homes and resorts. The blaze was only 7 percent contained in the steep, rugged terrain, and firefighters are finding it a tough battle, reports CBS News correspondent Cami McCormick (audio). Officials say it could be weeks before this fire is out.
"We're a long way from going home," said operations section chief Kole Berriochoa. "The fire got very active, ran our crews out."
It's the northeast side of this fire that poses the greatest threat, reports McCormick. and the steep rugged terrain that's making it so difficult to fight.
"They're on very steep rocks, just knife ridges and fuel on both sides of them," said Berriochoa.
Air tankers will be brought in Thursday to drop retardant, but Berriochoa says the battle will have to be won on the ground.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Gov. Janet Napolitano declared a state of emergency Monday to activate the state's 211 phone system, which provides people with information about natural disasters and other emergencies.
That is such a bummer. I hope there's something left for when I finally get to visit Sedona! I wish we had been able to go this past spring when everything was still beautiful.
Hi, Dita! How are you! (((hugs)))
In other words, probably started by some of the hippy, environmentalist whackos who try to "save" everything by making the conditions such as to destroy it!
Eeek! Close to home ping.
Yeah, Luv, they were probably having a New Age ritual around the campfire. You know Sedona is a magnet for crystal fondlers.
Anyway, ((HUGS)) to you too. If you have a chance to watch the video at the website, there are hundreds of firefighters on the scene and they will minimize damages from this fire.
There will be plenty of beauty remaining when you do get to Sedona and, as before, I hope I can join you there!
Yeah, I've been watching on the news reports. Looks like it's going to be yet another scary fire season for my parents.
It's a beautiful drive from Prescott over Mingus Mountain, through Oak Creek Canyon up to Flagstaff.
One of my favorite drives.
I will check out that website to see our brave first-responders at their jobs!
I hope there will be something left, too. And if I EVER get to go, you will know about it so you can try to join us. (((hugs)))
No, the state seems to be inundated lately with a lot of transients... even with our heat we've had some real doozies lately, but they move up into the high country when it gets hot and the campgrounds along Oak Creek.
I wonder who is kicking the transients out of where, because there are still aplenty in southern California, in Santa Monica especially.
I am looking forward to hearing better news re the Sedona/Oak Creek fire.
:^)
One of, if not the, largest stands of Ponderosa Pine in the country is in the area between Flagstaff and Prescott and it's been threatened by the bark beetle.. after the huge fire three years ago on the Apache Reservation the President got legislation passed that allowed them to start clearing the forests and it really has looked a lot better along I40 the past two summers, but I don't know if they made it down 89A yet.
I remember that Apache Rez fire; was set by a firefighter or arson investigator, right? I recall about the bark beetle too. Darn, I love those ponderosa pines and the forest, so refreshing when you come up from low desert.
I haven't been in the area for quite some time, but I love it there. If only monsoon season would start early! C'mon!!
Yes, the fire three years ago was set by a volunteer firefighter (Indian) and then there was a second fire, that joined that fire and caused it to literally explode in size. It was caused by a woman who got lost and set a fire to attract help, the rescue people didn't put that fire out properly and it flared up and off she went.
I, too, love our Arizona highcountry.
been posting news and info as I find it about the fires (not just this one, but including this one on this thread in case anyone wants to check it out)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1653704/posts
Thanks, Knitting. Yes, we have a fire going in the Los Padres National Forest here, another nice pine forest.
I know...I just posted a perimeter map from it...been watching it too!
(My hubby does public information work on wildland fires and this is sort of my way to feel connected to him when he's away, to track the fires and see what's happening! He's been gone 11 days now...)
Now, THAT is an interesting job! And, unfortunately, a busy one right now...
I heard about the Perkins fire via radio this a.m., don't watch TV much but will watch the 6 o'clock news to see if they have info re western fires.
I'll check in on your thread more often.
If only the Ohio rains would get over to northern Arizona!!!
Ping.
We're keeping watch here. So far, no homes or other buildings have been lost.
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