Pinetop White Mountain Blog

Good Afternoon Everyone,

It is a sad day in the White Mountains.  Another large forest fire is raging on the Eastern Border of the State and hundreds of people have been forced from their homes. 

We've been down this road before in 2002 when almost 1/2 million acres of prime High Country Tall Pine Country burned thanks to the people who just don't understand the danger or simply didn't care.

As of yesterday afternoon over 100,000 acres of some of the prettiest country in the State of Arizona has gone up in flames.  Two communities have been evacuated and others are on alert for possible evacuations.  The smoke plumes yesterday were unbelievable.  I had clients in my car showing property yesterday and they couldn't believe what they were seeing. 

We can't stress enough that our High Country Forests are very susceptible to fire.  Even though they look green and lush, we haven't had much moisture this year and they are tinder dry.  One carelessly tossed cigarette, a dragging chain from a tow, a backfire from a car, any kind of spark can set off a huge fire like the one they are fighting now.

Please.....be careful with fire in the High Country.  If you burn everything up where will you go to enjoy the beauty of this High Country Wilderness?  Black Sticks are not pretty and it takes hundreds of years for those Pines to grow back.  Maybe your great great grandchildren might get to see tall pines again, but 150 years is a long way away.

Thanks for reading...until next time!

Sandra Paulow, Associate Broker, GRI, SFR, REALTOR® (928) 242-0300