Well actually, as I have learned in the last few days, programs to cut down dead trees on federal and private land do help to curb the fires and help firefighters to contain these fires once they start, even the ones that start with lightning strikes. The problem seems to be getting the govt. and private home owners to invest
$$ to cut down and clear out the dead trees...

0855 24 June 06: weather continues hot and calm. Helicopters are up and at work already. Can see some smoke; air quality was better this morning than it has been in days. Sedona ia open for business; Coconino National Forest is closed, and other national forests are restricted. Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon remains closed and likely will remain closed for days. Firefighters have done a terrific job.

I hav enot checked the fire and local news sites today but my friend emailed me that Junipine is opening tomorrow. I see that their website says that the facility will be staffed tomorrow (accessible only from 89A coming from Flagstaff) and will be fully open on Wed.

I did hear a CBS radio news item this afternoon saying people are heading back into the canyon. Not sure what that means, as the fire is not expected to be contained til mid-week.

But this is all very good news!

From last night but just posted this a.m.:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/fir...06/index.shtml

New pictures on the TV news site appear to show that they are checking people's names and where they are going as they allow people to drive from Flagstaff down into the canyon on 89A. So it does not look like business as usual yet, perhaps not until they reopen all of 89A to traffic through the canyon.

Also interesting new pictures on that site of what an actual fire containment line looks like.

From last night:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/fir...06/index.shtml

http://www.az211.gov/index.php?optio...sk=view&id=484

0500 26 June 06: temp 62, no wind, few clouds. Air: clear, hardly any odor of smoke. Sunday pm overcast with occasional rain drops & thunder. Mop-up by helicopters continues.

Topping for maria_so

emd, thanks for topping it for me. I am in tears. My heart feels broken. I LOVE this area and was planning to take my SO there this September to share this with him. SO sorry to hear the amount of damage the fire caused and all because of an improperly doused campfire. This just reiterates the importance of everyone taking the time to go through what would seem to be tiny things as to prevent something so harmful. This is truly sad. I'm so glad though, that noone was hurt. Alot of praise for the firefighters who worked so hard to help contain this fire.

The fire is 65% contained now!

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/fir...06/index.shtml

The 211 site (Arizona emergecy site) is reporting that Hwy 89A has reopened!!

They say it could close again if waaranted for safety. There is a # to call (on the site) for updated info.

The fire is 100% contained!! Bravo to the firefighters!

=D> =D> =D>

I got so excited I forgot the site:

http://www.az211.gov/index.php?optio...sk=view&id=484