Pat Shannahan/The Arizona Republic
Posted on 06/21/2002 6:26:26 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
SHOW LOW - One of the worst fires in the state's history grew to a monstrous size Thursday as thousands fled their homes through choking ash and firefighters stood helplessly as the inferno ripped through the Valley's high-country summer playland.
By late Thursday, the fire roaring along the Mogollon Rim had virtually emptied six towns, forced 5,200 people from their homes, burned about 50 structures and had grown to 85,000 acres, an area slightly larger than Mesa.
Flames slashed across Arizona 260 between Heber and Show Low.
The blaze more than 100 miles northeast of Phoenix was a vicious freak that gobbled ground even at night, when most fires ease. The smoke cloud was visible in downtown Phoenix beyond Camelback Mountain.
It formed a superheated tornado that sucked flames hundreds of feet high, then spit them back out, spewing embers that sparked new blazes.
"We inherited a monster, and we're still trying to get our feet on the ground," said Jim Paxon, a spokesman for the firefighting team.
Fire officials suspect an arsonist set the original blaze, called the "Rodeo" fire because it started near the Rodeo Fairgrounds five miles northeast of Cibecue on the Fort Apache Reservation.
Three much smaller fires added to firefighters' woes. Near Heber, a woman who got lost Thursday started a signal fire that sparked the "Chediski" fire. She was rescued by a Channel 5 (KPHO) helicopter, but the fire had charred 2,500 to 4,200 acres by midnight. In Cibecue, 50 acres burned in an area near the start of the Rodeo fire after the original fire died at the site, but reignited or was reset.
The "Big" fire in Coconino County burned 100 acres but was expected to be contained by late Thursday.
After the Rodeo fire started, it swept north and northeast toward Heber, Show Low and towns in between. A change in the wind drove the fire away from Show Low late Thursday afternoon onto forest land, but weather conditions are still chancy, said Dorman McGann, a spokesman for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
"It's got about seven, eight miles that it can run and then it'll run into grassland," McGann said. "At that point we stand a pretty good chance of catching it."
Winds forecast
But winds today are forecast to be as strong as those Thursday, from 10 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph, and fire officials hope they don't change course.
Officials remained edgy after a day in which the situation grew increasingly desperate.
The exodus from high country towns continued late Thursday afternoon as 4,000 residents of Heber and Overgaard were evacuated, heading to the Valley or northeast toward Holbrook.
Earlier, the 7-mile-wide fire overran parts of the 390-resident town of Pinedale, a largely upscale community about 10 miles west of Show Low that had emptied out Wednesday. Firefighters said about 50 structures, including homes and outbuildings in and around the town, were torched.
Flames and smoke were so fierce in Pinedale that firefighters could do little but run. All five fire engines reserved for saving houses were forced to pull out minutes before flames sealed off their only escape route.
Linden, Clay Springs and Aripine also were evacuated.
Thick black smoke began advancing on Pinedale around 10:45 a.m. Thursday. Within 15 minutes, flames began bursting through the plumes, an indication that a house or other structure had caught fire.
At least 75 Pinedale residents who had fled during the night to Eagar, about 55 miles away, were told around noon Thursday that the fire had overtaken their town. Some evacuees wept as others stared in disbelief.
State Rep. Debra Brimhall, a Republican from Pinedale, said the homestead that her great-grandfather started burned early Thursday.
"My three buildings are consumed in flames," a tearful Brimhall told the state Parks Board after driving to the Valley to testify about state parks closures.
She said she and her relatives were able to salvage her great-grandmother's wedding dress, antique mirrors and family photos before evacuating Wednesday night.
'It's just too aggressive'
Things simply got too hot even for firefighters Thursday afternoon. They were pulled off the front line when flames heated in excess of 2,000 degrees and burned ponderosa and piñon pines faster than crews could run or drive.
Some volunteer firefighters watched helplessly as flames engulfed the area around their homes.
Hundreds of residents in Show Low fled to avoid choking smoke, and thousands more prepared to evacuate as shifting winds kept changing the fire's direction.
Whichever way the fire advanced, its intensity frustrated and neutralized firefighters.
"We just can't get out in front of this fire," Bob Dyson, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman said early in the day. "It's just too aggressive."
Some volunteers became involved in heated exchanges with sheriff's deputies who blocked their attempts to return to their homes. They hastily jumped into their pickup trucks and sped off to get around the blockades.
Volunteers also worried about people who had refused to leave their homes on Wednesday, well before the fire reached them. At least one person in Heber, two in Pinedale and four more in nearby Clay Springs were known to have stayed behind.
Pat Shannahan/The Arizona Republic
The fire roared through juniper trees, darkening the midday sky and sending plumes of smoke that could be seen more than 100 miles away. Officials said the smoke had wafted as far east as Albuquerque.
Smoke over Holbrook
Early Thursday, the massive plume of smoke from the Rodeo fire had stretched 50 miles to the north, covering Holbrook and the southern part of the Navajo Nation in a layer of ash. Motorists on their lunch break had to turn their lights on, and visibility was only about two city blocks. The smoke was dense enough to block the sun.
Some Holbrook residents had to cover their faces with handkerchiefs as they walked down the streets.
About 150 evacuees found shelter at Holbrook High School, said Tony Ayers of the American Red Cross.
Tom Lynch, 60, a retired Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, was a volunteer this week at the command post for the Rodeo fire, helping people evacuate out of Linden, when the call came for the evacuation of his Overgaard home.
He and his wife, Sharon, 57, were spending Thursday night at the shelter.
"It's unusual being on this end of a disaster," he said. "I'm usually on the responding end of a disaster. "
His wife packed what she could by herself, while he stayed at his post.
"It feels like I'll wake up and this won't be happening," Sharon said. "But of course it is."
More than 15,000 more people might have to evacuate the fire area if it continues to march on their homes.
No official word had come that Show Low was being evacuated. But Israel Caballero, 37, his wife and three children showed up at an Eagar shelter Thursday night with five other families who said they were told by a deputy to leave an area southwest of Show Low.
Ready to evacuate
About 700 law enforcement officials from Maricopa, Apache and Cochise counties and the state Department of Public Safety were ready to assist if Show Low was evacuated.
Unprecedented aid efforts were made by Valley public agencies. All court proceedings involving in-custody inmates were canceled for today at the request of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He said the move freed up 75 sworn deputies to aid firefighting efforts in Navajo County, allowing him to assign 250 sworn deputies.
The Phoenix Fire Department sent 28 firefighters and seven trucks to the Show Low area, the first time it has sent crews outside the Valley to help a city answer emergency calls.
Republic staff members Judi Villa, Pat Flannery, Brent Whiting, Carlos Miller, Mark Shaffer, Mary Jo Pitzl and Jon Sidener contributed to this article.
g
There was an article (I think in the AZ Republic) the other day about how they name fires but I didn't read the whole thing. Sorry 'bout that.
A hundred years ago in that area, you had Indians deliberately setting fires to thin out forests, improve wildlife habitat for hunting, and promote berry-bush growth. The "virgin" forests the colonists first saw were the product of deliberate forest-management by Indians
I goofed about the date of the Dude fire ... I was corrected on another thread ... it happened in 1990 and Zane Grey's cabin was destroyed. I rememer that now. Senior moment!
g
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Leni
There are a variety of items needed by the people who have been displaced by the fire, as well as those who are trying to stop its rampage. On the list of specific requests are sunscreen, eye drops, lip balm (i.e. Blistex or Carmex), soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other personal hygiene items. Bashas' has committed to matching donations item for item. Look for collection bins at Bashas' and Food City stores throughout the state. In addition to making donations at stores, the public can also drop of donations -- either supplies or financial contributions (Credit cards are accepted.) -- at
The Salvation Army,2707 E. Van Buren St. Phoenix.
For more information, please call The Salvation Army at (602) 267-4190
My four doggies are at home probably crying their eyes out. I have never left them for more than four days.(once) I will be here for about ten days. I cooked up 60lbs of meat for them to eat while I was gone. (my friend will feed them)
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FIRE AND AVIATION MANAGEMENT
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Fire and Aviation Management - National Incident Information CenterMorning Report – Current Wildland Fire SituationFriday, June 21, 2002 – 9:30 am EDT Do Your Actions Speak “Safety”?NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 5
National Highlights:The National Preparedness Level moved up to Level 5, the highest level. Increasing fire activity, limited fire fighting resource availability and extreme burning conditions triggered the change. Currently there are 11 Type 1 Incident Management Teams are operating in five Geographic Areas and 409 crews committed to fires. Initial attack activity was moderate in the Southwest, Western Great Basin, and Rock Mountain Areas and light elsewhere. No new large fires (over 500 acres) were reported yesterday. Three fires were contained. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. * Hayman fire (Rocky Mountain Area) is 45% contained. The fire is now at 137,000 acres. Mandatory evacuations are in place for approximately 5,350 residents. Rainfall moderated fire behavior. * The Rodeo fire (Southwestern Area) is experiencing extreme fire behavior. The fire grew to 85,000 acres today. The fire burned through Pinedale, AZ. Numerous evacuation advisories are posted for local communities. Structure protection is in place. SUMMARY OF FIRE ACTIVITY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
All figures from NIFC websites www.nifc.gov/ and www.cidi.org/wildfire/ RESOURCES COMMITTED
All figures from NIFC websites www.nifc.gov/ and www.cidi.org/wildfire/
WEATHER OUTLOOK
The Southwest Area can expect sunny skies in Arizona and partly cloudy skies in New Mexico. Winds will be SE to SW at 10 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. The Eastern Great Basin can expect mostly sunny skies with a chance of thunderstorms over northwestern Utah. The Western Great Basin Area will have afternoon thunderstorms in northern and central Nevada. The Southern California Area can expect mostly sunny skies. Lingering unstable air over the Rocky Mountain Area will bring isolated to scattered thunderstorms. REGIONAL SUMMARIESROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA (http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/fire/rmacc): One new fire was reported. An Area Command Team is in place. The Hayman fire is burning 6 miles NW of Lake George, CO. Three Incident Management Teams are assigned. Extreme fire behavior was observed on the east and southeast flanks. The fire is 45% contained. A mandatory evacuation is in place for 5,350 residents. Highway 67 is closed. The Missionary Ridge fire is burning 10 miles north of Durango, CO on the San Juan NF. The fire increased another 5,000 acres. Evacuations are in place for 18 subdivisions south of Lemon and Vallecito Reservoirs and along Route 250. The Hensel fire is burning 20 miles NW of Wheatland, WY on the Medicine Bow NF. Evacuations are in place at Harris Park. The Million fire is burning 2 miles south of South Fork, CO on the Rio Grande NF. Evacuations are in place for four subdivisions near South Fork. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA (http://www.fire.r5.fs.fed.us/scsc): One new fire was reported. The Troy fire is burning ½ mile south of the Cuyapaipe Indian Reservation. The threat to residences has been reduced due to aggressive ground and air attack. The Bluecut fire is burning near Oak Hills. A Unified Command between the Forest Service, California CDF and the San Bernardino County Fire Department is in place. The Copco fire is burning 7 miles SE of Lebec. Minimal fire activity was observed. WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA (http://www.nv.blm.gov/wgbcc): The Cannon fire is burning 25 miles northwest of Bridgeport, CA on the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF. Extreme fire behavior was observed. The fire has burned into Nevada. Highway 395 is closed. SOUTHWEST AREA (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire): The Walker fire is located northwest of Nogales, AZ on the Coronado NF. A Unified Command has been established between the Forest Service and the government of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. The Roybal/Trampas Complex is comprised of the Roybal fire and the Trampas fire on the Santa Fe NF near Pecos, NM. Crews are mopping up the Roybal fire. Structure protection is in place for 450 residences threatened by the Trampas fire. Evacuations are in place. The Rodeo fire is burning 3 mile north of Cibecue, AZ. The fire exhibited extreme fire behavior. The fire burned through Pinedale, AZ. Numerous communities are under evacuation advisories. Structure protection is in place. EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA (http://www.blm.gov/utah/egbcc): The Sanford fire is burning 20 miles northeast of Panguitch, UT. The fire is being managed under the Wildland Fire Situation Analysis confinement/containment strategy. Structure protection is in place at Sanford Ranch. SOUTHERN AREA (http://www.r8web.com/sacc): The Marbleyard Complex is 100% contained. The Blackjack Bay Complex is burning 10 miles northeast of Fargo, GA. An Interagency Fire Use Management Team is managing the fire. The Legends fire is 100% contained.
SUMMARY OF LARGE FIRES (500 ACRES OR GREATER)
* FS = Forest Service, NP = National Park Service, BLM = Bureau of Land Management, DOD = Department of Defense, ST = State, BIA = Bureau of Indian Affairs, FW = Fish and Wildlife Service The National Incident Information Center is here to serve you.
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FIRE AND AVIATION MANAGEMENT
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Fire and Aviation Management - National Incident Information CenterMorning Report – Current Wildland Fire SituationFriday, June 21, 2002 – 9:30 am EDT Do Your Actions Speak “Safety”?NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 5
National Highlights:The National Preparedness Level moved up to Level 5, the highest level. Increasing fire activity, limited fire fighting resource availability and extreme burning conditions triggered the change. Currently there are 11 Type 1 Incident Management Teams are operating in five Geographic Areas and 409 crews committed to fires. Initial attack activity was moderate in the Southwest, Western Great Basin, and Rock Mountain Areas and light elsewhere. No new large fires (over 500 acres) were reported yesterday. Three fires were contained. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. * Hayman fire (Rocky Mountain Area) is 45% contained. The fire is now at 137,000 acres. Mandatory evacuations are in place for approximately 5,350 residents. Rainfall moderated fire behavior. * The Rodeo fire (Southwestern Area) is experiencing extreme fire behavior. The fire grew to 85,000 acres today. The fire burned through Pinedale, AZ. Numerous evacuation advisories are posted for local communities. Structure protection is in place. SUMMARY OF FIRE ACTIVITY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
All figures from NIFC websites www.nifc.gov/ and www.cidi.org/wildfire/ RESOURCES COMMITTED
All figures from NIFC websites www.nifc.gov/ and www.cidi.org/wildfire/
WEATHER OUTLOOK
The Southwest Area can expect sunny skies in Arizona and partly cloudy skies in New Mexico. Winds will be SE to SW at 10 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. The Eastern Great Basin can expect mostly sunny skies with a chance of thunderstorms over northwestern Utah. The Western Great Basin Area will have afternoon thunderstorms in northern and central Nevada. The Southern California Area can expect mostly sunny skies. Lingering unstable air over the Rocky Mountain Area will bring isolated to scattered thunderstorms. REGIONAL SUMMARIESROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA (http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/fire/rmacc): One new fire was reported. An Area Command Team is in place. The Hayman fire is burning 6 miles NW of Lake George, CO. Three Incident Management Teams are assigned. Extreme fire behavior was observed on the east and southeast flanks. The fire is 45% contained. A mandatory evacuation is in place for 5,350 residents. Highway 67 is closed. The Missionary Ridge fire is burning 10 miles north of Durango, CO on the San Juan NF. The fire increased another 5,000 acres. Evacuations are in place for 18 subdivisions south of Lemon and Vallecito Reservoirs and along Route 250. The Hensel fire is burning 20 miles NW of Wheatland, WY on the Medicine Bow NF. Evacuations are in place at Harris Park. The Million fire is burning 2 miles south of South Fork, CO on the Rio Grande NF. Evacuations are in place for four subdivisions near South Fork. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA (http://www.fire.r5.fs.fed.us/scsc): One new fire was reported. The Troy fire is burning ½ mile south of the Cuyapaipe Indian Reservation. The threat to residences has been reduced due to aggressive ground and air attack. The Bluecut fire is burning near Oak Hills. A Unified Command between the Forest Service, California CDF and the San Bernardino County Fire Department is in place. The Copco fire is burning 7 miles SE of Lebec. Minimal fire activity was observed. WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA (http://www.nv.blm.gov/wgbcc): The Cannon fire is burning 25 miles northwest of Bridgeport, CA on the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF. Extreme fire behavior was observed. The fire has burned into Nevada. Highway 395 is closed. SOUTHWEST AREA (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire): The Walker fire is located northwest of Nogales, AZ on the Coronado NF. A Unified Command has been established between the Forest Service and the government of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. The Roybal/Trampas Complex is comprised of the Roybal fire and the Trampas fire on the Santa Fe NF near Pecos, NM. Crews are mopping up the Roybal fire. Structure protection is in place for 450 residences threatened by the Trampas fire. Evacuations are in place. The Rodeo fire is burning 3 mile north of Cibecue, AZ. The fire exhibited extreme fire behavior. The fire burned through Pinedale, AZ. Numerous communities are under evacuation advisories. Structure protection is in place. EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA (http://www.blm.gov/utah/egbcc): The Sanford fire is burning 20 miles northeast of Panguitch, UT. The fire is being managed under the Wildland Fire Situation Analysis confinement/containment strategy. Structure protection is in place at Sanford Ranch. SOUTHERN AREA (http://www.r8web.com/sacc): The Marbleyard Complex is 100% contained. The Blackjack Bay Complex is burning 10 miles northeast of Fargo, GA. An Interagency Fire Use Management Team is managing the fire. The Legends fire is 100% contained.
SUMMARY OF LARGE FIRES (500 ACRES OR GREATER)
* FS = Forest Service, NP = National Park Service, BLM = Bureau of Land Management, DOD = Department of Defense, ST = State, BIA = Bureau of Indian Affairs, FW = Fish and Wildlife Service The National Incident Information Center is here to serve you.
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