# 2022 US West wildfire thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 22, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246 "2022-01-22T21:10:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/1 "2022-01-22T21:10:07Z")
Believe it or not, we’ve got one already. 1500 acres at last report, near Big Sur, California. 5% containment. > **[Wildfire near Big Sur forces evacuations, shuts down Highway 1](https://www.kcra.com/article/monterey-county-wildfire-evacuations/38851177)** > > What is being called the Colorado Fire is forcing hundreds of residents on the California coast to evacuate and authorities have shut down Highway 1. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/2 "2022-01-23T01:46:30Z")
Just saw this on the AP but **Seanette** was on top of the situation! > **[Wildfire along California's Big Sur forces evacuations](https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-california-environment-and-nature-fires-evacuations-18ccd78331cf502dfdde8b648aba2a1a)** > > BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters on Saturday were battling a wildfire that broke out in the rugged mountains along Big Sur, forcing hundreds of residents on this precarious stretch of the California coast to evacuate and authorities to shut its... ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/3 "2022-01-23T02:11:47Z")
I’m certain I was seeing the acreage at 1500 when I first posted, but current reports are saying 1050. 20% containment by now. > **['Colorado Fire' Burns 1050 Acres Near Big Sur and Forces Evacuations - The...](https://sftimes.com/colorado-fire-burns-1050-acres-near-big-sur-and-forces-evacuations/)** > > BIG SUR, California - Firefighters have been battling a wildfire dubbed the Colorado Fire along Big Sur. As of Saturday, the wildfire has burned over 1,050 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/4 "2022-01-23T15:50:55Z")
VICE just posted this 8 minute video: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/99Zmh2YHvus/maxresdefault.jpg "Wildfires Are Coming to the Suburbs") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Zmh2YHvus) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/5 "2022-01-23T16:43:54Z")
Am I the only one who sees this topic title (as well as that of [last year’s similar topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-us-west-drought-and-wildfire-thread/943991)) and immediately [thinks of the former Baby Bell based in Denver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_West)? ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/6 "2022-01-23T17:37:58Z")
At least as of the most recent story I could find, it’s not growing and containment’s up to 25%. > **[Colorado Fire: Wildfire burning near Big Sur now 55% contained, CAL FIRE says](https://abc7news.com/fire-in-monterey-big-sur-today-highway-1/11511995/)** > > A rare winter wildfire burning north of Big Sur in Monterey County is now 55% contained, according to CAL FIRE. And evacuation orders have been lifted, the agency says. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/7 "2022-01-23T23:17:40Z")
Evacuations now: > **[Wildfire along California's Big Sur forces evacuations](https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-california-environment-and-nature-fires-evacuations-18ccd78331cf502dfdde8b648aba2a1a)** > > Strong winds pushed a wildfire that broke out in the rugged mountains above Big Sur to the sea, forcing hundreds of residents on this precarious stretch of the California coast to evacuate. > [@](#): > > The fire started Friday night in a steep canyon and quickly spread toward the sea, fanned by strong winds up to 50 mph (80 kph). The blaze burned at least 2.3 square miles (6 square kilometers) of brush and redwood trees, said Cecile Juliette, a spokesperson for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. > > “The fire lined up with the wind and the terrain and that gave the fire a lot of energy to make a big run,” she said Saturday. > > Authorities made contact with about 500 residents, urging them to evacuate the sparsely populated area between Carmel and Big Sur. More than 250 firefighters from multiple agencies and volunteer groups, aided by water-dropping aircraft, contained about 20% of the blaze by Saturday evening. > > “The winds have died down and that has worked in our favor,” she said. > > Authorities closed a stretch of Highway 1 with no estimated time for reopening. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2022, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/8 "2022-01-26T21:02:28Z")
> **[Officials say California wildfire caused by burn pile; blaze 50% contained](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2022/01/26/california-big-sur-carmel-colorado-fire/7631643209001/)** > > A wildfire that's so far torched more than 700 acres and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate along California's central coast was caused by hot embers that were left over from a burn pile, officials said. If they find the people who did this, will they face serious consequences? ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/9 "2022-01-26T22:32:07Z")
We can certainly hope so. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/10 "2022-03-13T21:56:40Z")
And there’s one in Santa Barbara county, California. > **[Wildfire in Santa Barbara County described as 'not typical' behavior in March](https://www.kcra.com/article/wildfire-santa-barbara-county-described-not-typical-behavior/39421109)** > > Evacuation warnings were lifted Monday for residents near a wildfire in coastal Santa Barbara County. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/11 "2022-05-20T22:59:41Z")
And we have a named one, the Golden Fire, in Yuba county. As of most recent update, forward progress stopped, 20% containment. > **[Golden Fire: Forward progress stopped in Yuba County fire; Highway 49 closed](https://www.kcra.com/article/evacuation-orders-golden-fire-yuba-county-highway-49-closed/40061629)** > > Forward progress has been stopped for a fire burning near Camptonville in Yuba County Friday that shut down Highway 49 and prompted an evacuation order in an area east of New Bullards Bar Reservoir. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/12 "2022-05-20T23:03:41Z")
Arizona still has a few fires going, the Archosanti fire is fully contained at under 300 acres and the complex is safe. The winds are super high and have been for weeks. That’s what’s driving the fires, but the weather guessers say we should have a tranquil weekend. That will help the firefighters get more control over the fires. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/13 "2022-05-20T23:04:26Z")
I hope so. I hate to think about how bad your air quality must be. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/14 "2022-05-20T23:06:55Z")
We’ve only had to leave for two nights, but the catio door is currently locked more often than not which is upsetting the cats to no end. I’ve noticed different birds than we usually get, they fly away from the fires and look for water. Can you put a small bird bath on your balcony? ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/15 "2022-05-20T23:07:44Z")
I could probably put something suitable on the patio once I fight back the ivy takeover. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/16 "2022-05-20T23:19:27Z")
I’ve started donating to Fish and Game again. They use the money to fill water tanks for the wildlife in an attempt to keep the wildlife away from humans and cars. Deer are as cute as can be and dumber than a box of rocks when it comes to cars. They are much safer back in the hills. Fires aren’t the only drought caused damage possible. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2022, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/17 "2022-05-22T00:29:18Z")
Quail Fire II now underway (Quail Fire I was in 2020). > **[Quail Fire: Forward progress stopped as fire burns 135 acres near Vacaville,...](https://www.kcra.com/article/quail-fire-burns-near-vacaville-solano-county/40067427)** > > Crews working on the Quail Fire burning near Vacaville plan to continue to strengthen containment lines on Monday, a day after Cal Fire said forward progress had been stopped. > **[Quail Fire (2020)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quail_Fire_(2020))** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > The Quail Fire was a wildfire that burned during the 2020 California wildfire season southwest of Winters and north of Vacaville in Solano County, California in the United States. Igniting on Saturday, June 6, within the rural confines of Quail Canyon, the fire ballooned to an estimated 1,837 acres (743 ha) and destroyed three structures including one residential property. The fire was fully contained on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, and the cause rem... ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/18 "2022-05-29T19:59:07Z")
Things are heating up out this way: **Tunnel Fire** - **Location:** 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff - **Start date:** April 17 - **Size:** 19,088 acres - **Containment:** 98% - **Fuels involved:** Dry grass, brush and scattered pine - **Cause:** Under investigation - **Total** **personnel:** 10 **Crooks Fire** - **Location:** 11 miles south of Prescott - **Start date:** April 18 - **Size:** 9,402 acres - **Containment:** 96% - **Fuels involved:** Timber, chaparral, brush - **Cause:** Undetermined - **Total personnel:** 12 **Elgin Bridge Fire** - **Location:** ¼ mile northeast of Elgin - **Start date:** May 23 - **Size:** 2,149 acres - **Containment:** 73% - **Fuels involved:** Short and tall grass, brush - **Cause:** Under investigation - **Total** **personnel:** 130 **Lost Lake Fire** - **Location:** 14 miles southwest of Parker - **Start date:** May 26 - **Size:** 4,758 acres - **Containment:** 0% - **Fuels Involved:** Grass, salt cedar, desert brush - **Cause:** Undetermined - **Total Personnel:** 150 **2022 fires with or near full containment** _This list does not include prescribed burns._ - **San Rafael Fire:** 11,620 acres southeast of Patagonia, 100% contained as of May 15. - **Locklin Fire:** 112 acres in Bisbee, 100% contained as of April 30. - **Presumido Peak Fire:** 2,591 acres in Pima County near the border with Mexico, 100% contained as of April 5. I understand the Presumido Peak Fire was a controlled burn last year. The forestry thought the burn piles were out, it snowed several times over the winter and then in the spring when things dried out, whammo. I’m usually one of the first to pile on the forestry department about losing control of their burns but there really wasn’t any way for anyone to think that this would happen. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2022, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/19 "2022-06-06T03:57:20Z")
> **[Wildfire caused by RV near Sedona causes I-17 southbound lane closure](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-traffic/2022/06/05/wildfire-caused-rv-near-sedona-causes-17-closure/7526842001/)** > > Interstate 17's southbound lanes are now closed in both directions just north of State Route 179. Just in time for all of the flatlanders to be heading back home to go to work tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2022, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246/20 "2022-06-06T04:14:11Z")
What a nightmare that must be tonight. When I traveled to Sedona a couple months ago, the traffic coming and going was already horrendous. I can’t remember if there are any easy detours. You guys sure are off to an early start this year. So sorry. We’ve had an especially rainy May here in Oregon, which should foreshorten the wildfire season a bit. We’re by no means out of the woods (pun intended), but we’ll take what we can get. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-us-west-wildfire-thread/958246.md?page=2)