When "Moderate" Fire Danger Turns "Extreme" At Pack Creek
On June 24, 2009, we departed Moab, Utah, heading
for Navajo National Monument, about 225 miles south. After viewing the
Pueblo Verde Ranchettes, at Moab Ranch, we noticed smoke reaching
skyward to our east. A fire of recent origin appeared to burn across a
steep ridge, just below the slopes of the La Sal Range.
We motored up Spanish Valley Drive to where it becomes Geyser 
Pass Road, in Northern San Juan County.
Since we were towing a travel trailer, it did not seem prudent get any
closer. Noting that it was 1:45 PM MDT, we snapped a few pictures from
there, and then headed south on U.S. Highway 191, towards Monticello, Utah.
Pass Road, in Northern San Juan County.
Since we were towing a travel trailer, it did not seem prudent get any
closer. Noting that it was 1:45 PM MDT, we snapped a few pictures from
there, and then headed south on U.S. Highway 191, towards Monticello, Utah. During our brief viewing period, we saw neither
aircraft nor ground crews heading towards the fire. Around us,
everything was "busines as usual". To us it seemed that a fast-moving
fire was not a problem to anyone in the area.
When we wrote this article on July 7, 2009, we
searched for any news regarding the fire, but no articles surfaced on
the subject. Although we still do not know exactly what happened that
day, here are the pictures to prove that it is a dry summer in Moab and Spanish Valley, Utah.
As smoke continued to billow, we thought that
perhaps it was time for local fire officials to change their signs from
“moderate” to "extreme" fire danger.
By James McGillis at 06:09 PM | | Comments (0) | Link
