Cave Creek Complex Wildfire Explained

The Cave Creek Complex Wildfire was the third largest forest fire in the state of Arizona to date, after the Rodeo–Chediski Fire and Wallow Fire.

History

The fire started on June 21, 2005, by a lightning strike and scorched 243950acres.

Within an hour, the fire had already burned from 2000acres10000acres.

When news agencies were covering the story, a FOX news affiliate captured video of the historic Cave Creek Mistress mine destroyed by the fire as soon as the fire touched it. The mine was a total loss.

The largest recorded saguaro cactus — standing at 46 feet tall and having a base circumference of 7 feet, 10 inches^[1] — was also injured in this fire, and later collapsed.

Bibliography

• (2005). "FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Arizona Fight Cave Creek Complex." FEMA.gov. Retrieved September 8.
• (2005). "Crews Work to Turn Arizona Wildfire Away From Homes." Los Angeles Times. June 24.
• (2005). "Western Flames." FOXNews. Retrieved September 8, 2007.

External links

• Incident report, last update (July 14, 2005)

33.978°N -111.785°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cave Creek fire claims world's largest saguaro . Peter Corbett . . June 28, 2005 . 2009-12-17 .