Cave Creek Canyon: Then and Now

The next in the series of then and now photographs from Cave Creek Canyon.  The original image is from a post card from the 1940's at Attic Postcards.  The location of this rock formation known as the Rabbit Ears or Mule Ears is on FS42 shortly past the turnoff to South Fork Canyon on the west side of the bridge crossing Cave Creek Canyon (at the fork on this map).  Both photographs were taken in morning and the most striking feature in a comparison is the change in the vegetation.  The early photograph shows dense underbrush and crowded foliage while the photograph taken in 2011 shows a lack of dense underbrush.  It should be noted that the 2011 photograph is a post Horseshoe 2 fire and the area along FS 42 was back burned by fire crews.  Aesthetically, the removal of the low underbrush opens up the forest floor and adds to the scene.

Landsat 5 Image of the Horseshoe Two Fire

NASA has released a Landsat 5 image of the Horseshoe Two Fire which was picked up by the media.  This false color image highlights areas of burned and unburned forest within the Horseshoe Two Fire.  A short animatic was created superimposing this Landsat 5 image on Google Earth.  The nine drainage's discussed in the previous posting were also included as well as other landmarks to help orientate the viewer.  It is clear there is a large area of contiguous forest which is intact covering all the major drainage's in the eastern portion of the Chiricahua Mountains.  The areas of intact forest also appear to cover a range of elevations and are not solely confined to drainage bottoms, suggesting a wide range of habitat was preserved.  More detailed work will be required to further delineate these areas but preliminary indications suggest the fire fighting crews were successful in mitigating the damage.

An angled view from the east showing elevation, drainage's (blue), and contiguous unburned areas (black) as a result of the Horseshoe Two Fire in the Chiricahua Mountains. Click on photograph to view larger image.

Good Days and not so Good Days

The Horseshoe 2 Fire continues in the Chiricahua Mountains, but in spite of this there is still some beautiful scenery in the bootheel.  Here is a 4 image panorama made this morning from the driveway at the Painted Pony Resort.  It is just a gentle reminder that despite the range of emotions experienced during this event, from anger to fear and sadness to elation, the fire too will also pass and start to fade as the forest recovers.  It is difficult to maintain perspective while on an emotional roller coaster but with the help of friends and loved ones everyone will make it through.

Current information on the Horseshoe Two Fire may be found at InciWeb.

Chiricahua Mountains on 6-09-2011