On June 21st a typical monsoon season thunderstorm rolls through central Arizona and lightning strikes start two fires, one near Butte Peak north of Scottsdale and the other at Humboldt Peak in the Tonto National Forest about seven miles northeast of Scottsdale.
On June 22nd the fire grows to 12,000 acres and is approaching homes in the north Scottsdale area and the Tonto Hills Community northeast of the town of Carefree. The call out is made and the Jeep Posse responds. Roadblocks are set up to keep people out of the endangered areas and the Sheriff’s Office sends us in to help with the evacuation of about 250 residents from Tonto Hills, Rackensack Canyon, Red River Mine, and Camp Creek areas. The Red Cross opens up an evacuation center for the displaced residents. Approximately 250 firefighters have been assigned to fight these two fires, which are on the verge of merging. There is no estimate at this time of when the fires will be contained.
On June 23rd the fires have doubled in size to 30,000 acres and several homes in the Camp Creek area have been lost. Jeep Posse members are still manning roadblocks 24/7, patrolling evacuated areas for looters, and looking for persons not yet evacuated or reported missing. The Jeep Posse is also escorting members of the press into the restricted areas for a closer look and to take photographs.
On June 24th the two fires have officially merged and become the largest fire in Maricopa County within the past decade. So far 46,000 acres are burned with 11 homes destroyed and the fire is only at 5% containment. As winds change direction, Jeep Posse members are sent to Bartlett Lake to assist in evacuating boaters and tourists. The Horseshoe Lake area is also evacuated and the road is barricaded to prevent the public from entering the area. The Sheriff’s Office makes contingency plans to insert an additional 200 deputies and posse members into the communities of Cave Creek and Carefree if further evacuations are necessary.
On June 25th the fire has claimed 60,145 acres and 800 firefighters are now on scene. With additional manpower available, backfires are started and fire breaks cut to lessen the chance of the fire making it into the Tonto Hills area. Previously evacuated residents are allowed to return back into the area if escorted by Posse members. The grateful residents hang sheets, like homemade billboards, with messages of thanks to all the volunteers who helped. Camp Creek is still off limits as the fire continues to rage in that area. By nightfall the fire is only 20% contained.
On June 26th the fire continues to advance northward as firefighters start to get control on the south. More than 79,000 acres have been charred and firefighters now number over 900. Residents of Camp Creek are escorted back into the area by Sheriff’s Office personnel in order to survey the damage to their homes but they are not allowed to stay.
On June 27th the fire continues to expand northward and has grown to 111,000 acres. Bartlett Lake is re opened but Horse Shoe Lake is still closed to the public. With populated areas now out of danger and after working 12-hour shifts for six long days, Jeep Posse members start to head home.
On June 28th a second incident team is ordered in to thwart the northern advance. Firefighters are now concerned the fire may reach the pine country but the south side of the fire seems secure. In addition to the personnel, resources include 28 fire engines, four dozers, and a dozen helicopters.
On June 29th this fire has grown to over 173,000 acres. Containment is at 40% on the South end and 0% on the North.
On June 30th firefighters begin to get some luck from the weather and the northern advance slows up. The Cave Creek Complex Fire, now at 199,368 acres burned, has become the second largest fire in the states history. There are now over 2000 firefighters working to stop this behemoth.
From July 1st to July 6th the fire has become 90% contained. As the fire finally dies, the grim totals come in: 248,310 acres destroyed, 11 homes decimated, and $17 Million spent in the effort.