This is what happens when you play with matches - unsupervised

This is a picture of the smoke plume from the Wallow Fire. It was taken by someone by the name of Leslee Wessel. I do not know this person but liked the ominousness of this photo.

The fire is now 18% contained (woohoo!) and has exceeded the Rodeo-Chedeski Fire acreage. It has consumed in excess of 469,000 acres. And it HAS crossed the border into New Mexico. The total cost so far is over $31 million.

I have heard a very disturbing rumor - actually several. But this by far is the worst one I've heard. That the idiots who left their campfire unattended ACTUALLY left it attended . . . . . by their 2 defenseless dogs who were tied to a tree. They ran like cowards and left the dogs behind to perish in the fire. That just broke my heart for those dogs. But I do not believe that they will have died in vain if this is indeed true. There were still tags attached to the remains so they will be able to track these idiots down that way.

These idiots should make the stupid news. Couldn't that be compared to leaving your phone number with the hot bank teller that you're robbing?

God Bless Firefighters!

The Wallow Fire is now 10% contained but has consumed over 452,000 acres. With only 10% containment, I'm just going to speculate that it will surpass the Rodeo-Chedeski Fire in acreage consumed.

I shouldn't really say "only 10% containment". When you receive a 10% discount at a store, it's nice but really doesn't amount to a whole lot. But when you have 10% of a wildfire that has burned for over 2 weeks now, you want to do cartwheels. I guess the beauty of 10% is in the eye of the beholder.

But more than anything, GOD BLESS THE FIREFIGHTERS!!! They have fought tirelessly to try to get the upper hand on this fire. They have literally been in harm's way. They have sacrificed their personal comfort to be here, doing what they do. THEY ARE AWESOME!

Here's your sign ! ! ! ! !

What is with all the idiots running around Arizona intentionally setting fires or just leaving their campfires unattended?!?!?! Are they really that stupid?
WHY?????
Why would someone do that? They seem to be willing to risk everyone else's homes, lives and livelihood but not their own.

I think they should figure out who is setting these fires, make them stand there and watch while someone else burns down their home and then they should all be banished to a habitat for firestarters in the middle of a burn area to live in a tent for the rest of their days. (That would also include Velinda Jo Idiot who set the Chedeski fire but who that spineless twit US attorney refused to prosecute.)

But I guess that is just wishful thinking . . .

PS to the Wallow Fire

This is what the Wallow Fire looked like from space on June 6, 2011. This picture was taken by NASA's AQUA satellite. They stripped away the smoke to show how large the fire and burn areas actually are (Last estimation that I heard - double the size of New York City). I know that it looks small but believe me when I say - It isn't.

After I let Baby Bro know that NASA had taken pictures from space, a customer walked into his work who actually worked for NASA and was one of the guys taking the pictures so that was TOTALLY AWESOME!

Wallow Fire in Arizona

This is a picture of the Wallow Fire currently burning in Eastern Arizona. (This picture was NOT taken by me.) There are thousands who have been displaced by this fire and who may have lost their homes or, at the very least, have had to deal with the stress of being out of their homes. There have also been many with special needs who have been evacuated who cannot go to a regular shelter. This fire is 0% contained and has burned over 600 square miles and at least 16 structures.

Anyone who wants to help can do so through many charities - mainly the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. But you may also check with whatever church you belong to and see if they have anything in place. But most of all, pray for the safety of those putting their lives on the line to fight this fire as well as the many who are currently battling other wildfires. Pray for the safety and well-being of those who are being affected by these fires. Pray for moisture to be sent to the southwest where it is so desperately needed. That is what is probably needed the most. Pray. Light candles at your church. Attend prayer meetings. Pray in whatever form that you practice.

Times like these bring out the best in people as well as the worst. There are many who will try to take advantage of those who have been affected by this fire and the other fires that are currently burning throughout the southwest. Be very cautious of the "charities" that you may go through as there may be many out there that are scams.

I live in an area many miles away from the Wallow Fire but was in the area when the Rodeo-Chedeski Fire occurred back in 2002 and had to be evacuated. I also remember, as a child, camping in the Porter Mountain area in Lakeside, AZ, during a forest fire and having to be evacuated. We had to drive out through the fire in a pickup truck that had several campers in the bed that were covered with wet blankets and sleeping bags. My Dad never stopped or slowed down driving through that fire. He had the lives of others who depended on him, including the lives of 3 of his children. He got ALL of us out of harm's way, safe and sound. Ironically, that particular fire got within 2 feet (yes feet) of the campsite but didn't do any damage.