History Repeating Itself With the Doce Fire

Photo courtesy of Jag Fergus, Prescott

History is notorious for repeating itself. Eleven years ago yesterday, the Rodeo Fire started on the Fort Apache Reservation. Two days later, the Chediski Fire was reported. The two fires eventually merged, becoming the second-largest wildfire in Arizona history. The Wallow Fire, in 2011, surpassed Rodeo-Chediski when it burned more than 538,000 acres. Despite the devastation of those two human-caused fires, it seems not everyone was paying attention. The proof? Yesterday, on the anniversary of Rodeo-Chediski, the Doce Fire started 8 miles northwest of Prescott. According to officials, the cause was human. The fire has already consumed 7,000 acres of forest, and containment is at zero percent.

The Leave No Trace principles exist to help prevent fires like Doce from happening. Yet, as we learned just a few weeks ago, people either don’t care or don’t listen, which likely explains why more than 70 illegal campfires were discovered on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests over Memorial Day weekend.

Photo courtesy of Jag Fergus, Prescott

So, here we go again. Homes have been evacuated, and the American Red Cross has already set up an evacuation center at Yavapai College. Let’s hope that this fire is contained soon.

 

 

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Over 70 Illegal Campfires Discovered on the Apache-Sitgreaves NF

Photo by Kelly Vaughn Kramer | Wallow Fire

Wow. Well, this is some very, very disappointing news. Turns out, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests personnel found over 70 illegal campfires while patrolling Memorial Day weekend. “In most cases, campers complied with our request to put out their campfires, however, citations were issued,” says Mark Empey, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Fire Management Officer.

In case you forgot, on May 23, campfire and smoking restrictions were implemented in Apache and Navajo Counties, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, and within local fire districts located in both counties.

Most Arizona campers are used to the almost annual need for restrictions on campfires. Still, it’s clear some folks need a reminder.

Photo by Kelly Vaughn Kramer | Wallow Fire

Let’s not forget Arizona experienced several mega fires in 2011, namely the Wallow Fire, which charred over 538,000 acres, and, according to the Forest Service, this year’s severe drought conditions and moisture emulate the blue print from 2011. The Forest would like to enlist the public’s help in reporting abandoned fires or people who build campfires outside of developed campgrounds.

In the meantime, the fire restrictions will remain in place until national forests service lands within Apache, Greenlee and Navajo Counties receive significant precipitation.

Photo by Kelly Vaughn Kramer | Wallow Fire

White Mountain visitors are reminded that some campfire restrictions are always in effect, such as in forested areas within city limits of most northern Arizona communities. Additionally, fireworks are never allowed on National Forests. For more information about restrictions on public lands by calling (928) 333-3412 or toll free 1-877-864-6985 or visit (www.311info.net), and also the NEW interagency website: (Firerestrictions.us) created to inform residents and visitors about fire restrictions and closures across the South-west area.

Research Study of the Health Effects of the Wallow Fire on Apache County Residents

Smoke from the Wallow Fire hovers over a meadow near Tal-Wi-Wi Lodge in Alpine, Arizona.

Apache County homeowners may receive mail from Cornerstone Strategies, Incorporated concerning a study of how last year’s Wallow Fire affected residents. The Apache County Department of Public Health and the UCLA School of Medicine are studying the effects of the Wallow Fire on community health one year after the fire.

“It’s important that we consult with everyone who lives in Apache County, full-time or seasonal, so that we have a better understanding of how our citizens were affected. The residents of Apache County suffered a great loss during the summer of 2011 and this survey is an efficient way to involve our community in efforts to understand the health implications of our wildfire,” said Kellie Monterrosa, Division Manager of Public Health Emergency Preparedness for Apache County.

David Eisenman, UCLA physician and public health researcher who is conducting this research is hoping for a high response rate. “It’s important that we hear from everyone who receives this survey whether they live here full time or part time and whether they feel they were affected or not by the Wallow Fire. The more people who respond, the more accurately this survey will reflect the views of the whole community.” Approximately 1,400 homeowners have been randomly selected to participate in a survey, which takes about 20 minutes to complete. They will arrive by mail during the month of July. Reminder mailings will be sent to people who do not respond to the first mailing within two weeks.

For more information, please contact Kellie Monterorosa, MBA, Apache County Department of Public Health 928-333-6444; 928-245-1171 (cell) or David Eisenman, MD, at UCLA School of Medicine 310-794-2452.

Wallow’s Scars

Photo by Kelly Kramer

On Monday morning, a handful of Arizona Highways staffers drove up the road to Escudilla Mountain, the third highest peak in Arizona. There, not long ago, the mountainside was covered in aspens. They glowed a green-gold come autumn, and countless hikers, mountain bikers and photographers journeyed to the mountain to breathe it in.

Catching just a glimpse of the peak — even from a distance — reminded two of us of Aldo Leopold: “Life in Arizona was bounded under foot by grama grass, overhead by sky, and on the horizon by Escudilla.”

Then, last summer, the Wallow Fire burned.  Escudilla was destroyed. In time, the trees will return. It will take decades, generations, a hundred or more years for the Earth to replenish what the fire took away. But for now, the mountain is a reminder to everyone who enjoys the outdoors: Leave no trace. Extinguish your campfires. Protect the trees for future generations.

—Kelly Kramer

10 Years Since Rodeo-Chediski Fire, 1 Year Since Wallow Fire… What Have We Learned?

Photo by Kelly Kramer

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which burned across the Sitgreaves National Forest and White Mountain Apache Reservation, destroying 425 homes. A year ago, the state’s only fire larger than the R-C Fire, the Wallow Fire, was burning across more than a half million acres of the Apache National Forest. This Saturday, June 23rd, area experts will be on hand at the White Mountain Wildlife & Nature Center to look back at these fires and provide insights on what’s being done to help prevent future similar mega-fires, and what role homeowners can play to help ensure that their properties and homes are firesafe. Despite the tendency to focus on only the negative impacts of these fires, officials will make presentations on the progress made since the R-C Fire to thin and restore our forests, as well as how wildlife populations were directly affected by that fire and have since responded, and how they can be expected to respond to the Wallow Fire.

Presentations will be made by the Lakeside and Pinetop Fire Departments and the Lakeside Ranger District on their “Ready, Set, Go” program on fire-safing properties and emergency preparedness, describing what resources are available to homeowners. Arizona Game and Fish Department representatives will describe the short- and long-term relationships of the R-C and Wallow fires on wildlife populations. For those interested, a short hike with hands-on demonstrations on the Nature Center property will illustrate changes that have occurred to our ponderosa pine forests and principles of improving forest health. This program will begin at 10:00 and last for approximately 2 hours. This event is free to the public, the Nature Center is located at 425 S. Woodland Road in Pinetop-Lakeside; see http://www.wmnature.org for more information.

On Sunday, June 24th, the Nature Center, White Mountain Conservation League, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will conduct a tour of the Wallow Fire area, with selected stops to illustrate key lessons learned from the fire. Experts will be on hand at each stop to interact with participants. Due to ongoing fires, transportation for participants cannot be provided, so each participant will need to provide their own transportation to the various stops, including:

• Greer area (meet at the fire station at 10:00 AM) – tour background, private land treatment benefits, and area thinning projects
• Escudilla Mountain (meet at the US Highway 191 & Forest Road 56 junction at 12:00 noon) – extreme intensity fire impact to forest and wilderness
• Alpine area (meet at Alpine Ranger Station at 1:30 PM) – benefit of Wildlife-Urban Interface (WUI) thinning
• Big Lake area (meet at Three Forks off Forest Road 249, approximately 12 miles west of US 191 at 3:00 PM) – mixed intensity burn mosaic and wildlife and aspen response to fire

Those wishing to participate in the Sunday tour need to sign up at the Saturday workshop or call the Nature Center at (928) 358-3069. Water and snacks will be provided by the Nature Center; participants should bring their own lunch.

Just a Friendly Reminder from Your Friends at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

Image courtesy of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, near Beaver Creek

Summer hasn’t officially arrived, but, boy, it certainly feels like it…….. So, if you’re planning on skipping town soon and heading to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests for some much cooler weather, we thought we’d pass along a friendly reminder from our friends there…..

And FYI, to learn more about forest fires, fire policy and the Wallow Fire, pick up the June issue of Arizona Highways — let’s just say, it’s eye-opening and heart-breaking.

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The Apache-Sitgreaves National forests are busy preparing for the upcoming summer recreation season. Trails, roads, recreations areas and campsites have been assessed and work has been ongoing in preparation for the arrival of campers and outdoor enthusiasts. The stocking of fish to forest streams and lakes will begin in a few weeks. Some roads and highways are due to open as soon as next week.

The areas affected by the Wallow Fire last summer are already recovering and the Forest Service has cleared hazard trees from 289 miles of roads and aerial mulched and seeded 90,000 acres. Most of the most popular areas in the Wallow Fire perimeter were not damaged by the fire. The Apache-Sitgreaves Forests would like to welcome everyone back to the forest and has a few tips to help everyone have a safe and enjoyable experience.

• Look up, look down, look all around.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not camp near weakened trees that have dead limbs or have been burned and could fall into your campsite.
• Do not camp in low lying areas that may be prone to flooding during a rainstorm.
• Do keep your food stored away from your immediate camping area such as a car trunk so as not to encourage bears.
• When hiking stay on established trails and let someone know where you are going and when you will return.

Be especially cautious with fire and be aware of fire conditions and restrictions. Fire restrictions vary but most mean that no open fires are allowed except in established campgrounds with fire grills or pits. Some areas have prohibited all fires except gas or propane campstoves, some restrict all types of flame. You can check the current fire restrictions by calling 1-877-864-6985. Or you can check the restrictions by forest district by going to our website or calling (928) 333-4301.

Fire restrictions are often imposed in the dry months of May through early July on the forest. Because of winds, drought and high temperatures Arizona’s forests are particularly dry this year so please, be especially cautious with fire this year. NEVER LEAVE YOUR FIRE UNATTENDED AND STAY WITH IT UNTIL IT IS OUT COLD. For more campfire prevention tips go to http://www.smokeybear.com