December 21, 2020
Here is a stark reminder of Ratcliff Ridge before the fire and after.
A fast moving fire roared through the creekbottom on May 30th of this year. And here is the same view today.
Full disclosure: Chris Ratcliff had almost all the dead trees removed, so it does look a little extra moonscape-ish, but look at all the mighty saguaros which have already fallen over. Some more will also perish as they slowly die.
And here is the view looking north from four years ago:
And this is the same cholla, but looking southeast.
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Sort of a Pompeii frozen in death dance of the cholla, yes?
Anyway, I don't want to dwell on the awfulness, but this is a stark reminder of how everything on this planet has a short shelf life. Take a good look around and appreciate what you see. Because it is temporary, to say the least.
"Funny how blessings brighten as they take their flight."
—Old Vaquero Saying
Sadly, it will never be the same, as the non-adapted-to-fire natural fauna the Sonora competes with the opportunistic invasive plants that often outcompete them.
ReplyDeleteSaw similar destruction earlier today fromthis summers' fires, out along Constellation Road, as it heads to the Williams' Family Ranch near the Hassayampa River Wilderness Area.
Look at the desert out towards Horseshoe or Bartlett lakes, one can see fire damage from the 70's forward. You won't see much cactus.
Of course, you could do "Disney Desert" on your lot. :(
But look what happened to Charlie Keating after he did that in the Estrella foothills.
Be careful with heat, flame, sparks: It's DRY out there!