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Wallow and Horseshoe 2 fires continue to rage in Arizona

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags ,
Horseshoe2 fire, smoke plume

Updated at 10:25 a.m. MT, June 5, 2011 (added links to live web cams)

Horseshoe2 fire, smoke plume
Smoke plume over the Horseshoe 2 fire as seen from an airplane. Photo: Todd Abel, Southwest Incident Management Team

The two very large fires in eastern Arizona were very active on Saturday, putting up large convection columns of smoke and adding thousands of acres.

Wallow fire

The largest of the two fires, the Wallow fire at Alpine, Arizona, has now burned 144,000 acres and has caused the evacuation of several communities, including Alpine, Blue River, and Nutrioso. Other areas are under a pre-evacuation advisory. There is no estimate of containment of the fire.

Firefighters conducted burnouts ahead of the Wallow fire Saturday and Saturday night, completing over 30 miles on the north half of the fire. Much of the burning was done near Nutrioso and along Highways 191 and 180. The west side of the fire has burned into the San Carlos Apache Reservation, where more burnout operations may occur on Sunday.

Maps of the Wallow and Horseshoe 2 fires are below. Some of the red and yellow squares representing heat detected by satellites are probably burnout operations being conducted by firefighters.

Map of Wallow fire, data 0247 6-5-2011
Map of the Wallow fire, showing heat (the red and yellow squares) detected by satellites over the 24 hour period ending at 2:47 a.m. June 5. An earlier perimeter, the red line, was mapped at 12:25 a.m. 6-3-2011. MODIS/Google

 

Map of Wallow fire, north portion, data 0247 6-5-2011
(Click to enlarge) Map of the north portion of the Wallow fire, showing heat (the red and yellow squares) detected by satellites over the 24 hour period ending at 2:47 a.m. June 5. An earlier perimeter, the red line, was mapped at 12:25 a.m. 6-3-2011. MODIS/Google

A call center has been established by the White Mountain Joint Information Center for information, including evacuation information, regarding the Wallow fire. Their phone number is (928) 333-3412, and their web site is 593.org. InciWeb is another source.

Horseshoe 2 fire

The Horseshoe 2 fire has burned north of the community of Paradise but has not reached East Whitetail Canyon. Both areas are under evacuation orders. The fire has burned 100,200 acres and is 55% contained. More information is at InciWeb.

Map of north half of Horseshoe 2 fire, data 0247 6-5-2011
Map of the north portion of the Horseshoe 2 fire, showing heat (the red and yellow squares) detected by satellites over the 24 hour period ending at 2:47 a.m. June 5. An earlier perimeter, the red line, was mapped at 5:36 a.m. 6-3-2011. MODIS/Google

Weather

The National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Watch Sunday morning for the White Mountains, the Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, the Chinle Valley, Chuska Mountains, and Defiance Plateau. It is in effect from Monday morning through Monday evening due to strong winds and low relative humidities. The winds are expected to be 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35, and the RH should be 7 to 14 percent.

Live cameras

Here are some links to live cameras in the general area of the Wallow fire:

  • Sunrise Ski Resort in Greer; web cam #2; may only be available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. MST.
  • Springerville, Round Valley High School (Near Eagar); click Time-Lapse
  • Molly Butler Lodge in Greer; click Time-Lapse
  • Greercabin.com (a view of a forest and a thermometer, no sky view)

Update: we posted more information about these fires on June 6, and on June 7.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

3 thoughts on “Wallow and Horseshoe 2 fires continue to rage in Arizona”

  1. This is the Station Fire of Arizona. Why use any aviation assests when a fire is allowed to escape to this size? Isn’t the home of the 747 Arizona? As political pressure mounts you will probably see the DC-10, 747 and the a Mars; stay tuned.

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  2. I don’t know why the Evergreen 747 has not been used? it is in Arizona. If the cost is to graet I am sure they would give a freebee or two for the state.

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