Tuesday July 12: The US Forest Service ordered the evacuation from Mt. Hopkins of all observatory personnel because of an expected wind shift that could bring the lightning sparked Florida (pronounced "floor-EE-da") Fire closer to the observatory.
Wednesday July 13: The Florida Fire prompted the evacuation of all observatory personnel from Mt. Hopkins on Tuesday July 12. On Wednesday July 13, growth of the fire forced the evacuation of Madera Canyon.
Thursday July 14: Evacuation of Mt. Hopkins and Madera Canyon continues. The observatory perimeter was heavily slurried Wednesday and the fire is being held at bay. Skeleton crews were allowed up the mountain for a short while.
Friday July 15: Crews are working on more fire breaks today, with possible backburns to reduce fuel between the Observatory and approaching fire edge. Skeleton crews are allowed up the mountain for short visits, fire permitting.
Monday July 18: Weekend rain slows fire. Crews hope for more rain today to possibly hold the fire. The Observatory remains closed. Images of the fire can be seen here.
Tuesday July 19: Firefighters report good progress in controlling the 22,500-acre Florida Fire, now 50% contained. Access to the Observatory is still restricted.
Thursday July 22: Rains nearly extinguish fire; full containment expected today. The Observatory has reopened.
Images of the fire can be seen at the following web sites: Forest Service, Ken Van Horn's photos, CfA IOTA
Link to Arizona Daily Star news articles: July 9 July 11 July 13, July 13 Update July 14 July 15 July 16 July 17 July 18 July 19 July 20 July 21
Photos courtesy FLWO Basecamp:
Map of fire growth, each color shows growth each day (July 8-11)
Map of fire progression July 11-12, 2005
View from I-19 7/11/05
View from Canoa Road exit 7/11/05
View from FLWO basecamp 7/12/05
Fire moving down from Mt. Wrightson summit onto Josephine Saddle 7/14/05
Slurry colors the approach road to MMT parking lot. Support building and aluminizing
head are visible above. 7/14/05
Map of Florida Fire 7/15/05
Map fire's proximity to observatory 7/15/05
Slurry tanker dipping near FLWO basecamp 7/16/05
Fire boundary map 7/16/05
Mt. Wrightson
Mt. Wrightson
Mt. Wrightson viewed from the Ridge 7/17/05
Slurry near substation 7/17/05
Map of fire growth 7/17/05
3D map 7/17/05
Map of hot spots 7/17/05
A back fire is lit near Bog Springs in Madera Canyon (viewed
from the microwave site), 7/18/05
Mt. Wrightson's eastern slope after the fire
