Twin Fire

Twin Fire, 10-2-09 

Incident: Twin Fire Wildfire

Twin Fire at base of Bill Williams Mountain, west of town

Senior citizen apartments evacuated 10-3

From Examiner.com, Phoenix

Williams, AZ - October 4, 2009. 9 p.m. The Twin Fire is one mile southwest of the City of Williams, approximately 1,000 acres, and 10 to 15 % contained. Due to strong winds today, helicopters and air tankers could not be used for firefighting efforts; however, firelines held and acreage did not increase despite the winds.

Fire fighters held the fire in this back yard on 10-3

Helicopter, center above house pulled water from a local dam.

Over 450 personnel are assigned to the incident. Resources include 2 air tankers, 7 helicopters, 6 Hot Shot Crews, 3 Type 2 Crews, 33 engines, 1 dozer and 7 water tenders.

Hot Shot buggies

Monday, personnel will continue fireline construction on the southeast side of the fire, reinforce existing fireline, patrol for spot fires, and protect structures. Air resources will be utilized weather permitting.

Firefighters work on fire break

The forecast calls for lighter winds and slightly higher temperatures. Intermittent smoke is present on Interstate 40 and in the City of Williams. Please use caution traveling through the area.

Red Cross Supplies arrive at Middle School

The evacuations for the Southwest area of Williams will remain in effect until further notice. Businesses that were closed because of the fire threat were informed that they could re-open this Sunday afternoon.

Closures associated with the fire include: Bill Williams Mountain and Kaibab Lake Recreation Area. In addition, Williams Elementary/Middle School and Williams High School will be closed Monday.

Bill Gabbert, Wildfire Examiner

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Just wondering -- how does Williams qualifies as a "city" now?  Caught that in the press release above. With population around 2500 its got to be one of the smallest cities on record.  Even allowing for growth since I last checked - that would be 1996 or so - how does a town with little going for it but the Grand Canyon Railway become a city?

The area in black is where the two controlled burns were.

The red is the unplanned fire.

Had the fire jumped the interstate our old cabin in Whispering Pines would have been in jeopardy. The wind was blowing a ton of smoke across the highway as it was.  Betcha Roy et al were fit to be tied.  I half expected to see a picture of him running the show somewhere along the line ;) 


There are lots of trees in Whispering Pines that were hit by the Japanese Beetle, leaving a lot of dead, dry trees.  The Forest Service folks are really big on clearing dead trees, low/dead branches, and pine needles. Years of drought and beetle damage are a monstrous double-whammy. Dad, (and when we were there, Jesse and I) kept up with the trees and Dad groomed the crushed lava around the house, daily I think!  I spent many, many pleasant hours trimming the lower branches from young Ponderosa Pines. Jesse climbed up the limit of the big extension ladder into the huge old Ponderosa Pine in front to tackle the heavy duty branches.  That thing must be hundreds of years old.  Thankfully the beetles left it alone.


Roy doesn't have fire insurance, wonder if he'll change his mind now...

Reports this morning, 10-5, say the evacuation has been lifted and the schools will re-open tomorrow.  Strong winds plagued the firefighters yesterday but they were able to hold the fire to the 1,000 acres that had already burned.  As of this morning the fire is 10%-15% contained, just like yesterday.  The forecast today is cooler with slightly less wind and we're all keeping our fingers crossed.

Looking toward Williams from the east

-All photos from the net-