If the White Mountains here in eastern AZ were insured, they'd be deemed a "total loss" by now... almost 450,000 acres burned as of today at only 6% containment. The worst fire in Arizona history, The Rodeo-Chediski fire, burned 470,000 acres. I've heard the Wallow Fire could burn as much as 550,000 acres before it is fully contained. Why post this unrelated, depressing info on a motorcycle forum? The Wallow Fire has burned Arizona's most lush forest and defaced 50 miles of one of the states most beautiful rides, US191, The Coronado Trail. I've ridden this road numerous times and even with dilapidated road conditions I've never been disappointed, it is Arizona's "Deals Gap". I had a ride planned with my wife to ride the 191 a little bit later this month, but obviously, that's been scrubbed. Too bad too as she had never been out there before and now she'll never know what it used to look like.... as it won't regrow to it's former beauty in our lifetime if it ever does at all.

Coronado Trail Info-
The Coronado Trail, White Mountains, Arizona

Fire Timeline-
Wallow Fire timeline

The following photo's are from previous rides on The Coronado Trail...

 

Photo's pulled from the internet showing the fire...

 

Damn

 

What a loss. The map shows one of the fires just southeast of you. The smoke and ash fallout must be terrible.

 

I'm actually about 250 miles west... almost dead center of the state. Luckily for us here in Prescott the winds are pushing the smoke and ash northeast away from us.

 

wow........

 

My wife's sister's neighborhood was just evacuated this afternoon due to the advance of the Monument Fire (correction: it's the Antelope Fire). She lives in a retirement community in the southwest corner of Sierra Vista, adjacent to Buffalo Soldier Trail. The opposite side of Buffalo Soldier Trail is open country for a mile or so up to the mountains.

All the homes in her development have tile roofs and sparse, if any, landscaping, so I'm thinking they'll be okay.

6:20 pm, AZ time, she's back in her house. They set backfires from the south side of Buffalo Soldier Trail, and now they've got it 90% contained. She was evacuated by the Border Patrol, by the way.

On the plus side...less cover for the illegals and drug smugglers to hide in.