Note: Images are from Tuesday, Aug. 5. Yes, I’m in Spring Creek Basin for the below (cell-phone) images, and yes, the fire is fairly close as the eagle soars (the next county south, which is Dolores County; the basin is mostly in San Miguel County but does extend south into northern Dolores County). However, the horses are not in danger; there’s actually a lotta country between there and and the basin.
If you’ve visited Spring Creek Basin, you’ll recognize this cattle guard at the intersection of Road 19Q (Disappointment Road) and Road K20E. What you most likely and very fortunately have NOT seen as you head east toward Spring Creek Basin is a giant, nuclear-cloud-looking smoke plume. 😦 That’s the newly started Stoner Mesa Fire. (This is the Durango Herald link; you may hit a paywall, or you may get a free read of three articles (?).)
I won’t lie; I nearly had a heart attack when I saw that plume. Back in 2002, I was working at the aforementioned Durango Herald, and when I drove to work each afternoon (copy editor/page designer shift of 3 p.m. to midnight), the nuclear-plume of smoke from the Missionary Ridge Fire greeted me with heart-stopping awesomeness (and not in a good way) every time I topped Hesperus Hill to descend toward Durango.
This is from the area we call Chrome’s Point in western Spring Creek Basin, looking east-southeast. Yes, those dark-and-white spots at far left, left of the main/original water catchment aprons (looks like a tennis court) and tank are mustangs. Thankfully, they seemed completely and totally oblivious. The air was hot and smoky: Dragon Bravo Fire, Sharp Canyon Fire, Turner Gulch Fire (smoke still visible from it, too), Waters Canyon Fire … and who knows what other fires contributing to our air dis-quality (!?)) – more hazy than seems apparent from these images.
Moonrise over McKenna Peak and Temple Butte from farther north in the basin. Most of the smoke was blocked by the eastern horizon of ridges from this perspective.
Sunset through smoke. Pretty … but it is violently, dangerously dry out there.
This is a hot, bad, dry (and very-bad-dry) summer, folks. Please be mindful of anything that could spark a flame, stay safe, and support your firefighters … local, regional, state and national. And rain dances are *ALWAYS* appreciated. 🙂
(I went with my phone pix for this post, but I may have some from my big camera in coming days. … May …)
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
That plume from the Stoner Mesa fire is one scary look from your perspective to the west, TJ! So tired of all the endless fires around us but this one really hurts. Why can’t we have rain? Seems like all we can do now is hope for an early fall to help end this nightmare.
It’s scary from any perspective. I was in Cortez and Dolores yesterday and found the smoke to be even more dense than in Disappointment. 😦 Then, driving home, that plume again … ! 😦 I’m so glad to know some of our firefighters personally, and I know they’re working hard and watching out for their fellow firefighters. Rain … rain would literally be a godsend.
Just like the wildfire “season” – the hurricane seasons have been coming earlier – not this year – I guess one forming way down below Florida now. On top of fires & storms – the horrible flooding in Texas AND other places should open eyes as to the actual effects of (dare I say it) climate change! To not do anything at ALL to correct human’s “ways” is beyond stupid. It affects every one of us and its a nightmare for sure. What it will do to us – humans – is one thing – but every creature is being affected.
The acceleration of the climate crisis is astounding. This is not a time to smother science. The whiplash of natural disasters is astounding. 😦
Beautiful pictures in spite of the smoke! Hoping for rain soon! The weather is really crazy lately! Praying that it gets better soon!
So many people in such a large portion of the country are praying for rain … and some for it to stop. 😦 Surely we will get rain soon, even if the monsoon season seems to have bypassed us.
It is very very concerning!
It is. Stay safe!
I’m so sorry. I used to see those plumes in the SoCal mountains when I lived there and I was often afraid to drive down the mountain to go to work. What if? Always, always, what if…
We have a bit of the same experience/background. Terrifying … and stays with you long after those years are past. I read just this morning that smoke from the Stoner Mesa Fire is moving east toward the San Luis Valley?! Stay safe!
Very smokey this morning. I’ll pay later when my asthma gets the message. I tried NOT to think of alternative lyrics to America the Beautiful but I failed so “For smokey mountain majesties…” sorry
Sending prayers for rain and safety for all living beings…
Thanks so much, Carol. We and the critters need that rain, for sure.