06-03-2014, 08:43 AM
Just an update on the fires up north. The one near Sedona was 90% contained by yesterday. Some 23,000 acres were burned and there is still 200 firefighters on the scene (down from 1200 last week). There are several more wildfires burning in Arizona, one up at the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The heat, dry conditions, the wind and stupid people that don't pay attention to the fire warning signs does not make for a healthy fire season.
BTW, speaking of the heat, we are now at the time where we have many hikers that think they can outlast the desert heat and wind up being rescued instead. We had one rescue of a man who ran out of water on Saturday morning, they found him by late afternoon, but we still have one hiker missing on Camelback Mtn since Saturday. They had to suspend the search because of the heat yesterday. Hikers think that they can scoff at the heat, don't carry enough water and stray off the trails, often with disastrous results. From what they're saying, you should bring a half-gallon to a gallon of water for every hour you are hiking. Some people go on a two hour hike with just one or two bottles, other use a hydration backpack, but they only hold a few hours supply of water. I never heard of a camelbak (hydration backpack) until yesterday. Then again, I don't hike up mountains or go biking either....
BTW, speaking of the heat, we are now at the time where we have many hikers that think they can outlast the desert heat and wind up being rescued instead. We had one rescue of a man who ran out of water on Saturday morning, they found him by late afternoon, but we still have one hiker missing on Camelback Mtn since Saturday. They had to suspend the search because of the heat yesterday. Hikers think that they can scoff at the heat, don't carry enough water and stray off the trails, often with disastrous results. From what they're saying, you should bring a half-gallon to a gallon of water for every hour you are hiking. Some people go on a two hour hike with just one or two bottles, other use a hydration backpack, but they only hold a few hours supply of water. I never heard of a camelbak (hydration backpack) until yesterday. Then again, I don't hike up mountains or go biking either....
Don (ezdays) Day
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD