[AZ-Observing] Re: Mount Stromlo burned

>     Since this has made US national news headlines, but with few details,
>here is a rundown posted by a local to the minor-planet mailing list.  Note
>that this report is 24 hours old, so specifics may have changed.  I heard 
>this
>morning on the radio that the fires near Canberra were "contained".
>     Substitute Lowell Observatory's "Mars Hill" or "Anderson Mesa", and this
>could be us in six months time....

Indeed, and I've been up to my neck in similar issues in the Prescott 
National Forest. Over 2/3 of the forest is dead due to a beetle attack. 
Drive up to Prescott the back way through Wickenburg and you will be 
shocked at what was a green carpet of forest south of Mount Union. It is 
mostly brown now. That coupled with the remains of the Indian fire from 
last year and it looks like a battle zone. The Prescott National Forest 
has started a Boundary Project to reduce the fuel in the forest. I'm sure 
a similar project will be undertaken in other forests. If you have 
property in the forests of Arizona or use areas for observing, you may 
want to get involved. This is a BIG issue. The Rodeo fire of last year 
may seem like a hot dog roast compared to what could happen.

BTW, the best observing sites are on high ground and ridges which are 
nearly impossible to protect once a fire starts. Even if you do not own 
property in the forest, getting caught on a ridge or high ground with no 
escape route could be fatal!

One positive side of all this is sans the fires, once done there will be 
much more open space in the mountains for observing. 

Jeff

                          Jeff Hopkins
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