finger rock fire

Bighorn Pneumonia Deaths, UFOs, Fires, Bowden – 8/16/2015

Posted - Charles Miles

First the first time in months there was some bad news for the Bighorn Sheep in the Santa Catalina Mountains with 3 deaths reported. While some deaths are inevitable Pneumonia has been identified as a cause and that could cause delays in plans for releasing additional sheep – Mark Hart for AZGF: “That doesn’t mean we couldn’t come back later and do an introduction in 2016 or 2017, but until we’re sure how widespread the disease is among the population up there, we’re going to have to take a wait and see attitude.”

 

Wildfire Can Benefit Wildlife; Bighorns Not in Danger – Arizona Public Media, Latest on bighorn sheep from AZ Game and Fish – Tucson News Now: AZGF reports that the Buster Mountain Fire and Finger Rock Fire did not have a negative impact on the Bighorn Sheep in the Santa Catalina Mountains and that in fact these fires will probably improve the habitat for the sheep.

Hiker reported missing in Catalina State Park has been found – Tucson.com: A hiker that was late returning from a few nights on the mountain is located and able to walk out with assistance.

Kerwin Dewberry incoming Coronado National Forest Supervisor and Ken Born new Santa Catalina District Ranger: New personnel in Coronado National Forest and the Santa Catalina Ranger District.

UFO Lights Up Tucson Sky Like Christmas Tree – Huffpost Weird News, UFOs caught on video by two night vision cameras near Tucson, Arizona – OpenMinds UFO News and Investigations:  UFOs filmed from Sabino Canyon over the Santa Catalina Mountains?!?

Late author Chuck Bowden will be honored Saturday – Arizona Daily Star,  Mt. Lemmon center to be dedicated Saturday to late author Chuck Bowden – TucsonSentinel.com: The community center on Mount Lemmon will be named for well known author and journalist Charles Bowden. Supervisor Ray Carol said “we thought it was appropriate to name the Mount Lemmon Community Center for him because of his devotion to the Catalina.” Bowden wrote the brilliant and sad Frog Mountain Blues about the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Injured vulture on Mount Lemmon released into wild – KVOA.com: A nice story about a injured vulture who was caught, allowed to recover and released back on the mountain.

Sabino Canyon remains open while restroom repaired – Tucson News Now, Sabino Canyon Visitor Center restroom to be reconditioned – Coronado National Forest

See a quirky cactus collaboration in Sabino Canyon – Arizona Daily Star: A prickly pear growing on a Saguaro…

 

Other Trail Incidents:

  • Hikers or Bikers loosing the trail: Sutherland Trail (this is likely not the last time this will happen – currently Sutherland is an attractive route up/down the mountain but one of the easier trails to get lost on), Butterfly Trail
  • Heat/Illness: Bear Canyon to Seven Falls and Pima Canyon

Finger Rock Fire

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles

5/15/2016 – See Burned and Disappearing, Upper Pontatoc Canyon Trail – 3/5/2016 and Pontatoc Canyon Trail for some pictures from the edge of the area impacted by the Finger Rock Fire.

8/8/2015 – 2pm: As noted in the InciWeb update below on Friday there was precipitation along the entire south side of the Santa Catalina Mountains including the area covered by the Finger Rock Fire. At about midnight – after the rain had passed – I drove to the Richard McKee Finger Rock Trailhead and could not see any flames/glow/hotspots from the fire – with additional weather forecast it seems likely that this is the end of the Finger Rock Fire… It will be interesting to see when the Finger Rock and Pontatoc Trails are re-opened to the public (the caution tape/sign blocking both trails was still in place at midnight on 8/7).

The fire received precipitation yesterday and overnight, and is showing no activity at this time.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for possible storm activity over the next few days, with high relative humidity and the chance for precipitation.

 

8/7 6pm: InciWeb update for the end of the day:

This morning fire managers and the hand crew on standby hiked to the lower edge of Pontatoc Canyon to scout the area and get the lay of the land.
The fire continues to make progress, although not growing significantly. It received precipitation at 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. August 7 and continues to show a low level of activity.
Additional precipitation is forecast for the area.

 

8/7/2015 – 7am: InciWeb was updated just after 8pm yesterday and listed the fire at 750 acres with this summary:

Forecast for the area from the National Weather Service is for moisture to move into the area. Good humidity recovery expected overnight. Also good chance of rain on or around the fire Friday afternoon and evening with more widespread thunderstorm activity around the area during the afternoon and evening hours.

InciWeb also has an interesting set of photos of the fire posted here. News coverage: Finger Rock Fire grows to 750 acres, Finger Rock Fire in Catalina Mountains grows to 750 acre, Finger Rock wildfire now at 750 acres.

Finger Rock Fire Map posted on Facebook by the Coronado National Forest on 8/6/2015.
Finger Rock Fire Map posted on Facebook by the Coronado National Forest on 8/6/2015.

 

8/6/2015 – 2pm: New information was posted to InciWeb a few hours ago:

Fire became active August 5 when wind and topography aligned. With hot dry weather the fire grew throughout the afternoon into the evening, when relative humidity increased and fire activity decreased. A small amount of smoke was visible on the fire this morning (see photos).
According to the weather forecast for the fire area, moisture is expected to increase today for better humidity values. General wind will be lighter today with very good humidity recovery tonight. More widespread thunderstorm activity in the area Friday afternoon and evening could result in precipitation on the fire.
We may experience another active burning day today, depending on the weather, with decreased activity this afternoon and tonight, through tomorrow.

Planned actions: “Monitoring, suppression resources ready to take action if necessary.”

Recent news links: Finger Rock Fire grows to 500 acres, Finger Rock wildfire grows to 500 acres, UPDATE: Finger Rock Fire in Catalina Mountains grows to 500 acres

 

8/6/2016 – 8am: The Finger Rock Fire started on July 29th – there is now an entry for the fire on InciWeb with basic information and a concise summary from yesterday:

The Finger Rock Fire was ignited by lightning Wednesday July 29. The fire is near Pontatoc Canyon, on the Santa Catalina Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest. The fire is burning in grass and brush in a steep, arduous terrain in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. There was very little fire activity until this afternoon, when the fire grew as winds and slope aligned. The fire was estimated to be 150 acres as of this evening. The Finger Rock Trail #42 has been closed to protect public safety. No structures are threatened.

 

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