Pine Donkey

Here are a few links to raw video taken from Channel 15 helecopter.

Here are a few pictures taken just a bit ago in the Nutrioso area. You can see the back burns but can also see the huge front approaching.

No it is off of 88.

Tucson John that is a beautiful place. I share your sentiments completely. Our cabin has been a very special place for many friends and family. It took over 5 years to build. We worked weekends and vacations. We had some great times during some of the construction parties, and so many good times since then. My dad and I know every board, wire, pipe, screw, and screw up in the place. Here is a picture from the back showing the porch where we have had so many good times. Coffee and conversation in the early morning as the sun rises over Escadilla is one of the most relaxing activities in my life. One September night, my son Garrett, called in his first bull, right to the porch. We have also put away a lot of beer and bourbon from the porch. Hopefully all these memories will be added to over the years.

Biker, Let me be blunt...Your an idiot! Based on your narrow thought process the tornado victims in Joplin MO need to suck it up and move on. They chose to live where tornados hit, they have to deal with the dangers. I guess you could apply your same assinine thinking to those who chose to work in high profile buildings that terrorists decided to attack. Dont bother replying, we dont need to hear any more of your idiotic rhetoric.

I left Tombstone yesterday at 1:15 hoping to make it to Alpine for the 6:00 Forest Service community meeting. The meeting was cancelled but I was in Alpine at 6:00. I have never seen anything that dark in my life. Here are some photos from my trip. Here are 4 pictures taken from 191 as you head into the Black Hills (the long straight stretch) They were taken one minute apart but show how fast the plume was building. Usually you can see Escadilla when you come around this turn. Beside the fire and wind, it was a clear day. Looking toward Alpine from Luna This shows the difference in the density of the main plume and the rest of it. This is a view of Escadilla taken across Luna Lake. In the above picture there is still natural light. These next two pictures are taken in Alpine at 6:20 in the evening. This in taken in front of Bear Wallow Cafe. This picture is taken at the stopsign infront of the gas station in alpine. There were about 50 fire trucks lined up. Remember this is at 6:30 with the sun still up. A mile north of the Alpine gas station we began to clear the thick plume. Another half further it was bright skys again. At the end of a very long night we ended up at a motel in Pine Top with a load of sentemental items. I hope to make another trip back to Nutrioso very soon to take all this stuff back.

TJ, thanks for the offer. Everything is closed off and no access is allowed. So many people have made the same offer; the out pouring of support has been incredible. We took out everything that has sentimental value, everything else can be replaced. It was pretty sad last night loading things up, everything in the place has a memory attached to it. Fire can take the cabin, its insured, but nothing can take the memories we have made over the years.

I just received an update. The fire crossed 249 at Williams Valley. Crews are still trying to stop it short of Nitrioso structures by backfiring from road 88 and 88B. They are also trying to point protect around Big Lake by back firing from the road into South Cove.

Coues 79, The new perimiter they released is from IR photos taken last night at 11:30. What it does not show is the spot fire that started on the side of Escadilla headed for Terry Flat. There has been more growth today. The winds calmed about midnight, and stayed realitively low through the morning, but they picked up again this afternoon. Things are pretty bad up there. I will be making a post soon that has some pictures of Alpine yesterday.

I just checked in to a hotel in pine top after being evacuated from nutrioso. One heck of a long day. I was in Alpine at 6:15 and I have never seen anything that dark. Not only dark but headlights wont work beyond about 30 feet. Just north of Alpine, but still south of big lake road (249) there were 400+ elk moving off of south mountain in front of the fire. When we left nutrioso at about midnight we were told that a couple structures had already burned in Alpine and that spot fires were popping up eaverywhere. The Verizon tower just above town, off the 403 road reportedly burned and the fire had jumped 191 and was moving into the blue. I asked about acres burned. They did not have an update beyond the 40500 but added that the fire had traveled more than 12 miles since those numbers were released. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance. I hope the cabin that our freinds and family love so much is still there in the morning.

Kevin, A fifth wheel trailer is great to have, for hunting, fishing, and family camping. With a longbed truck there is no need to get a slider hitch but tilt is nice for rougher spots. Just remember that as it tilts, your truck side rails become vulnerable. 34 feet is quite long for anything but the smoothest off road areas. A 28 foot trailer can go over much rougher terrain than a 34. I have a 30 foot, but will be in the market for 26 or 28 feet next time. Regardless of the length, flipping the axel will help get it further off the pavement. Good luck and enjoy!

The fishing has been very good this past week, but the wind has been horrible. Both Luna and Crecent have been producing a lot of 15 inch plus fish. Nelson and Big Lake have been hot with 8 to 10 inch fish. Powerbait and worms work well, but more important is the correct setup. Here is a picture of some friends catch Sunday afternoon. Good luck!

Thanks

Thanks

Time to cull the herd...cool pix

What a great family day, thanks for sharing!

Red Rabbit, seeing that you have made a new post gives me the same feeling as I get when my Arizona Highways magazine arrives. I know that I will be given another taste of the beauty of Arizona. Thanks, and keep it coming!

121 3/8

Great bear, but that story sucked...lets hear the blood and guts details.

beautiful!

Arizona AD Greg Byrne just confirmed to ESPN that Sean Miller has agreed to a contract extention to stay at U of A.

Here is a like to Toby Kieth's "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue". It is being played throughout the country tonight!

May his soul burn in H3LL!

Osama Bin Hidin, is now Osama Bin Dying. God Bless our troops.

We are planning our first trip to the white mountains for the year. How has the fishing been. Has anyone tried Pratt this year?