Thursday, June 16, 2011

Skywatch Friday = Monument Fire In Arizona

Skywatch Friday = Monument Fire In Arizona
These photos were taken by our former neighbors in Pueblo del Sol in Sierra Vista, AZ. The fires burning in the canyons are just five miles from their home. If the fires travel further north, they may need to evacuate their home. Already 40 homes and 10 structures in the canyons have burned. This photo shows the fire after dark. Sierra Vista is near historic Fort Hauchuca.

Friday Morning Update: Our friends have both cars packed with valuables and financial papers and needed medicines because the fires are now just two miles from their home. Arizona is pulling firefighters off the Springerville fire up north to head to Sierra Vista because Sierra Vista has thousands of homes in danger while the Springerville fire is mainly in Arizona's remote wilderness regions. Please pray for the folks in Sierra Vista!
This is highway #92 heading south to Mexico which is just 35 miles from Sierra Vista.
Another view of the mountain canyons burning at night.
This is the burnt out Catholic chapel that a millionaire built and maintained for the public.
This is another view of the burnt chapel.
The Monument Fire has now burnt over 10,000 acres.
My friends say that it was set by someone. It was not caused by lightening.
You can learn more by doing a search for the local newspaper, The Sierra Vista Times.
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Friday A.M. Update: The fire has now burned over 17,000 acres!

Monday Noon: The fire has claimed three restaurants and 27,000 acres!
And our friends have evacuated the home that they have lived in since 1976 since the fire is getting closer. Our former home that we had built in 1977 is in this neighborhood too and the owners have also evacuated.
All the horses on Fort Huachuca have been sent off post---many to Davis Monthan Air Base near Tucson.

10 comments:

VALKYRIEN said...

Oh my, how terrible! Such awesome pictures - but telling a sad story! Thanks for sharing!

Sylvia K said...

It is hard to imagine just how horrific this fire has been. Your friends photos are incredible! Thank you so much for sharing them with us, Joann! Thanks, too, for your visit/comment. I do so hope your therapy is going well. I'll be holding good thoughts for you! Have a lovely weekend!

Sylvia

Pretty Life Online said...

Great one for skywatch! The sky is the daily bread of the eyes. Happy TGIF! Hoping you can visit my skywatch post.

clairz said...

Oh, no, this is just horrible. We just traveled through that area a few weeks ago. I hadn't realized that this fire was right in the Sierra Vista area. I know it's heartbreaking where ever it is, but to see it in familiar places is somehow just so much more "real."

Thank you for this post. I am going to go and look at the Sierra Vista Times now.

Rcel said...

Tsk tsk tsk! That is scarry, sad, and pretty unfortunate! I hope it dies down soon!

I hope you can visit and see my MARVELOUS MOON captures and be amazed yourself! Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

i watch the fire burning in the moutians from my roof and door every day.i hear about the areas that have been evacuated.friend of ours have lost their homes.if we need to get out of our place fast we are ready to.but we hope we will not have to.our hearts and prayers go out to those who have lost everything dear to them.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joann: Those are amazing captures, I do hope all goes well for your friends.

SandyCarlson said...

Your post makes me extra grateful for my relatively safe place. Beautiful.

Bill S. said...

What destruction by carelessness. A campfire can be so nice, but unattended can change lives forever.

Melinda said...

just surreal....so hard to believe what horrific things can happen from human carelessness....