Goodwin Fire: Prayers & support for Mayer, AZ

[Chris Gholson 557]

As many of you have probably heard, there is a large wildfire burning in central Arizona, about 14 miles south of Prescott. As of this morning the fire has consumed about 18,000 acres in the Bradshaw Mountains and is thus far not really contained at all. From where I’m at it looks as if a volcano has erupted and smoke is lying heavy in Prescott Valley. Authorities have called for evacuations of the town of Mayer and smaller communities like Breezy Pines, Walker, and Pine Flat. I believe pre-evacuations are now being done for the Dewey-Humboldt area as well. This is a terrible event for all in the central region. It is destroying property and displacing many residents. I imagine there will also be large losses of wildlife.

 

I just wanted to extend our deepest prayers and support to the families living in the area. Many of these folks are personal friends, customers, and also, fellow AZO forum members. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and if the winds die down, maybe the crews can get an upper hand on the flames. Be safe everyone and god bless…

[Tom H 28]

Been praying about it also Chris. Its a bad one. Seems like it bypassed Mayer for the time being.

Tom H.

[beatup 55]

several bad fire years in your part of the country Chris,Hope everyone stays safe.

[LipCa 11]

As of 18 minutes 20,000 acres and 1 percent contained... good luck all

[nugget108 23]

I hope it all gets better down there.

[MikeT 2]

Valley news at about 6:15 this morning said 24,800 acres. Very concerned for numerous friends and business owners in the path.

 

Mike

[dick ward 25]

Wishes and prayers and fingers crossed.

Most of all everyone safe!

[Hawkeye 3]

What is it about that area the past several years? Seems like there has been a big fire there every year for the past several.

[Tom H 28]

What is it about that area the past several years? Seems like there has been a big fire there every year for the past several.

 

 

We got TONS of rain this year in the winter. There was a lot of new growth that died off when it got hot. It was way over grown from not having a fire go through that area in 40 yrs....just took one retard to set it off.

Tom H.

[IMPDLN 3]

Unfortunately this is what we have to deal with every May and June these days in Az. Since the environmentalists Spotted Owl hoax, some 35+ years ago, put a stop to all logging and common forestry practices, like control burning in this state. So much of Az. is severely over grown and very volatile. Our weather patterns of mostly drought conditions has only multiplied the severity. The state has fought back since the Rodeo/Chediski fire and there are some thinning and control burning being done again, but only in certain areas and not enough is being done fast enough, partially because of limited resources. Areas like the Goodwin fire that had burned many years ago, are so overgrown with scrub and Manzanita that even deer can't get through it. Adding to the natural problems are people that don't care and do stupid things like throwing cigarettes out car windows and driving on flat tires. Even dragging safety chains on trailers throw sparks and start fires on a regular basis along our highways. This holiday weekend, highway 87 was temporarily closed no less than 5 times due to brush fires started by anything from flat tires to car fires and accidents.

 

The fact is that Arizona is a tinder box during the month of June and even a piece of broken glass in the brush can start a fire if the sun hits it at just the right angle. This is an opportunity for our federal government to create jobs and fix this problem at the same time by getting the Forest Service back into the forestry business. We need to go back to work in our national forests to do more thinning and control burning in the cooler wetter months. Our natural renewable resources are going to waste for no good reason. It's time for change. Dennis