Idahocoueshunter Report post Posted July 14, 2005 I was travelling through Tucson for a funeral on Sunday, when I saw the fire on the Santa Rita's. Does anyone know how it started and the extent of damage? When I returned on Tuesday, I could tell they hadn't made much impact on its size, and it was much more intense. In Idaho they use big borade planes to douse the hot spots in rough steep terrain, but I did not see a single plane working. What does that mean to hunters who will have drawn that unit in October? Craig. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kilimanjaro Report post Posted July 14, 2005 It started by lightning last Thurs. And there are planes and choppers dumping slurry on it almost nonstop. The Madera canyon road is blocked off from traffic, but the Sheriff let me thru up to the Box canyon turn off, which is pretty close to the fire. I could see just how big the fire had gotten. I watched them drop slurry over and over. That was on Tues. It now has grown to over 12,000 acres and it is still out of control. Mostly cuz its in such steep areas that they can't get in there and work it on foot. They are laying a fire line around it in all the areas that they can get into on foot. This thing has the potential to get big and outta control.... It is also begining to threaten MT. Hopkins and the homes in Madera canyon now. My buddy is a forest ranger up in Madera, and he said he's seeing coues deer pour out of the hills. They have been seeing them as far as I 19. A few bears too coming out towards Patagonia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondbackaz Report post Posted July 15, 2005 I knew this thing was going to go poof. I remember when I was out at the old Florida ranger station last Summer, and looking up at the fuel buildup in that Canyon, I knew that this thing will go up one day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
