Our first good look at the fire. We were flying back from DC and first saw the smoke 200 miles away in Nebraska.
By 5 PM on Monday, the fire was going full bore. This is from the overlook on 36.
This is the view as we're driving into reach our house. We got past 2 road blocks and to the gate at the bottom of the hill when the fire department said "Get out NOW!"
On Tuesday, we still weren't sure we had a home. So Cindy and I drove up Flagstaff and got this view into the neighborhood. Only then did we confirm that our house was "safe."
Driving up to the house for the first time, we couldn't help but wonder what it takes to reach "Extreme" on the danger scale.
Finally on Thursday, we were allowed up to the house for our first visit. The bombers and choppers were flying directly overhead and dropping their loads nearby.
A P2-Neptune tanker plane carrying 2,400 gallons of retardant--1940's technology at your service!
An Erickson Aircrane helicopter equiped for firefighting with a snorkel and drop tank.
An Erickson Aircrane helicopter equiped for firefighting with a snorkel and drop tank.
An Erickson Aircrane helicopter equiped for firefighting with a snorkel and drop tank.
An Erickson Aircrane helicopter equiped for firefighting with a snorkel and drop tank.
Up Lee Hill from our house.
Spot fire smoldering nearby.
Sugarloaf hasn't had trees in decades but the surrounding area took the brunt of the fire.
Burning duff.
The Ironwood Hotshots, a Type 1 team from Tuscon, AZ, performs mop up on the end of West Coach Road.
The Ironwood Hotshots, a Type 1 team from Tuscon, AZ, performs mop up on the end of West Coach Road.
The Ironwood Hotshots, a Type 1 team from Tuscon, AZ, performs mop up on the end of West Coach Road.
The Ironwood Hotshots, a Type 1 team from Tuscon, AZ, performs mop up on the end of West Coach Road.
The Ironwood Hotshots, a Type 1 team from Tuscon, AZ, performs mop up on the end of West Coach Road.
Firefighter from the Ironwood Hotshots, a Type 1 team from Tuscon, AZ.
Firefighter from the Ironwood Hotshots, a Type 1 team from Tuscon, AZ.
Crew from Engine 4 of the Fairmount Fire Department (near Golden, CO).
Our neighbor, Rick, lends a hand with mop up.
Firefighting helicopter attacking a spot fire.
Firefighting helicopter attacking a spot fire.
Firefighting helicopter attacking a spot fire.
Firefighting helicopter attacking a spot fire.
Firefighting helicopter attacking a spot fire.
Cindy helps with her bucket.
Another use for a bucket...chilling the post-fire champagne!
