Scared, praying, & hopeful...

[Lil Foot]

Not much detail, but shows the spread in recent hours.

 

[coachgeo]

Not much detail, but shows the spread in recent hours.

is that spread what you drew in? if so interesting that the spread seems to be on the bottom side of the spread shown on to the previous burn area map.

 

[Lil Foot]

No, that map is from a community meeting that took place last evening. Firefighters drew that spread, and say that although the wind is still to the northeast, the fuels are extremely heavy straight east of us & to the south of the original fire origin, that is why it is heading east & a little south.

The north end of the fire has slowed considerably, because the forest translates from Ponderosa pine/mixed growth to juniper scrub.

Our last hurtle may be tonight when a front comes in, lowering temps, possible rain, possible snow, all good things. Problem is that the wind will shift from NE to W or SW. Here's hoping the lines hold.

Here's a pic I just received from the neighbor whose place abuts mine immediately to the south. It was snapped a few minutes ago by one of the firefighters. (his buddy)

 

[Lil Foot]

"Forest Service investigators were able to access the point of origin of the Tinder Fire and have found the cause to be an abandoned illegal campfire during Stage I Fire Restrictions."

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I'm glad to hear it looks like you might escape any loss, it not fun at all worrying about it.

Bill, you know our place, and for those that don't, our place is mostly all trees, bordered by trees and that's surrounded by more trees.
I say there is about 40000 trees on our place, and yea no I've never counted.

Late last fall some really strong winds, (wind in general here is unusual we are calm 90% of the time), blew down a ton of trees onto power lines. the result was 3 fires going within 3 miles of me, I was running around tracking them for the local fire fighters, and they did an awesome job at putting them all out in a quick hurry!

 

[bearbait]

When things like this happen it really brings out the good in a lot of people however it also shows you how many snakes are out there. A few years back we had real bad fires out in Fort McMurray. A lot of people came through to help out and a lot of money was raised to help people who lost everything. Just last night on the news they were talking about people starting phoney go fund me's and people who payed contractors to rebuild their homes for them but never did the work or the work was that bad it had to be tore down and redone. Looks like your place is gonna be fine Bill and for that we are very grateful, I wish everyone could be so lucky.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Fort_McMurray_wildfire

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Bill,

Any word from the Sheriff's office as to when they will grant access to homeowners? Best I can tell, this fire is paralleling 87. There is a whole lot of timber and homes in its way, even if they hold it to south of the highway.

So sad for everyone involved, even those who dodge losing their structures. The damage to the woodlands will take a decade or more to repair. All because of one careless person walking away from a campfire he thought was out. Personally, I wish the "no campfire" rule would be extended until the drought is over.

When I started flying in '88, they had the Mongollon Rim Fire just northeast of Payson. After 30 years, that scar is still visible from the air as are all the other fire tracks through that area.

Just glad to hear your neighborhood made it. Hopefully, that firefighter will get a few more shots out to folks.

 

[Lil Foot]

There have been no updates so far today. But at the public meeting in Winslow yesterday, officials said that (assuming the lines held last night) the first step to letting people back in was for APS to restore power. There were about 4-5 poles physically damaged or destroyed with lines down, and all the buildings that were lost will need to have the power lines disconnected/removed. Can't have people searching the ashes with possibly live wires on the ground. Once the power grid is up & tested, they will consider lifting the evacuation order, but they won't speculate if that will take a day, a week, or longer. They said if all went well, APS was going in last evening to start the work, and I saw an APS truck pulling a trailer loaded with new steel poles on the news last night, headed north from Long Valley.
My weather app showed the temp up there at a low of 30 degrees at 2am, with rain/snow. I don't know if that meant a trace, a little, or an amount large enough to make a difference, but hopefully, it helped.
Going to start watching local news, they have been pretty poor so far on accuracy, but even that helps a little.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Cave Creek just got hammered with a thunderstorm and heavy rain for over a half hour. It was heading northeast so maybe it'll hold together past Payson.

 

[Lil Foot]

My neighbor (an evacuee) says it is snowing like mad in Flagstaff. (2pm)

 

[Lil Foot]

Pics from a DOT camera, southbound & northbound HWY 87, just above Long Valley, 14.5 miles south of my place.

 

[RCW]

Scared, praying, & hopeful...

Pics from a DOT camera, southbound & northbound HWY 87, just above Long Valley, 14.5 miles south of my place.

Woo Hoo!!!
Nice!!!
Normally wouldn’t say that May 2, but that’s a GREAT sight!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lil Foot]

Scuttlebutt says the power company was working all over the area today, as was the local propane company, securing & replacing damaged tanks.
Dumpsters have been positioned near our firehouse for people to dump spoiled food. Power has been off since the start of this thing.
It looks like they may be getting close to lifting the evacuation order. Fingers crossed.

 

[Lil Foot]

12,000 acres, 12% containment, still waiting for the OK to re-enter. Number of homes (buildings) burned revised: there were 70+ buildings in the burned area, but only 41 burned. Still terrible, but better than 70+.

 

[Lil Foot]

Well, it looks like it's finally over. People who lost homes will be allowed back into the area at 8am tomorrow. People with homes on the east side of Hwy 87 (me) will be allowed back in at 12noon. People with homes on the west side of Hwy 87 will be allowed back in at 2pm. Road blocks will be lifted at 7pm, allowing the general public into the area.

I want to thank you, my friends, from the bottom of my heart for your prayers & support. I really feel they made a difference, and helped us through a difficult time. This could have had ended far worse than it did for us, and we thank you.

Bill, Carolyn, & Bella.

 

[coachgeo]

hope are prayers and good wishes also rubbed off on your friends and neighbors there as well.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Phew, I am so glad you made it through it unharmed!

 

[skeets]

I just love a happy ending

 

[armylifer]

Thank The Lord for your blessing. Really! I'm glad thaat all worked out well.

 

[bearbait]

Great news Bill, now get some rest.