Two of Arizona's 40 Important Bird Areas, the Chiricahua Mountains and the Cave Creek Ecosystem are impacted by the rapidly-spreading Horseshoe Two wildfire. More than 600 personnel are combating strong erratic wind, dust storms and mountainous terrain in an attempt to contain a fire exacerbated by single digit humidity. According to Horseshoe Two News Releases, improving weather conditions and success on the north and east sides of the fire have raised containment expectations as of late Sunday, May 15, and all evacuations were lifted at 8:00 am on Wednesday, May 11. Several hundred residents of the town of Portal, the Cave Creek Recreation Area and surrounding areas had been asked to evacuate by the Cochise County Sheriff. Containment is now estimated to be achieved by May 22.
Horseshoe Two in the Same Area as Last Year's Horseshoe Wildfire
A near-identical wildfire, also started by human activity, burned 3,386 acres south of Portal, Arizona in 2010. That fire began on May 26 and was not contained until July 10. According to the latest updates from InciWeb, the Incident Information System, Horseshoe Two started in the Horseshoe Canyon drainage, moved east to the Sulphur Canyon drainage, and has quickly grown from 2,000 acres at the end of the day on May 8 to more than 26,000 acres on May 15.
Both fires started in the Chiricahua Wilderness, the southern section of the Chiricahua Mountains, an 800 square mile sky island that ranges from semi-desert grasslands at 4,000 feet to Chiricahua Peak, a spruce and fir forested mountain nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. This area is part of the Coronado National Forest, and also contains the spectacular Chiricahua National Monument. Wind-driven dry summer wildfires are an annual risk across Arizona, where some 25,000 acres of conifer forest were lost in 1994 during a major fire in the Chiricahua Mountains west of the current blaze.
According to the latest update at 10:00 pm on May 15, InciWeb reports that 630 personnel are involved in fighting Horseshoe Two, including 9 hotshot crews. Equipment includes 24 engines, 18 watertenders, 8 helicopters, as well as attack platforms. The primary objective, according to InciWeb, is to insure public and firefighter safety, while minimizing firefighting impact in the sensitive Chiricahua Wilderness. The update reports also specify a key objective being the protection of the Cave Creek Canyon area, due to its importance as a "renowned birding area."
Important Bird Areas and the Chiricahua Mountains
Arizona's varied topography and habitat, together with its proximity to Mexico, attract birds and birders alike. The state in general, and southeastern Arizona in particular, are primary destinations for birders from around the world. 'Important Bird Areas' (IBAs) are designated, discrete sites that are critical habitat for one or more species of bird. The program was started in Europe in the 1980s by Birdlife International, a coalition of partner organizations in more than 100 countries. Arizona Audubon and the Tucson Audubon Society work with the National Audubon Society and Birdlife International to establish and support IBAs in Arizona, where 40 sites have been designated.
The Chiricahua Mountains and the Cave Creek Ecosystem are two of these IBAs, both of which are impacted by the Horseshoe Two wildfire. The Chiricahua Mountains provide critical bird habitat for many species, including year-round residents, breeding birds and passing migratory birds. Many birds are found here that are not seen elsewhere in the United States. Elegant Trogan, Eared Quetzal, Lucifer Hummingbird, Arizona Woodpecker, Hepatic Tanager, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Red-faced Warbler, Yellow-eyed Junco and Painted Redstart are some of the specialties sought by visiting birders, and this is the only Arizona location hosting the Mexican Chicadee. At least 13 species of hummingbirds can be found here.
Cautious Optimism on the Horseshoe Two Wildfire
Lifting of evacuations, improving weather and success along the fire's north and east perimeters have brought some reason for optimism. Birding in the area is still limited due to road and trail closures, as well as active firefighting efforts, but the outlook has turned more positive. Scheduled near-term activities, such as the upcoming June 4 Trogan census, remain uncertain pending containment and reopening of access roads and trails.
Bob Bowers - A lifelong naturalist and amateur ornithologist, Bob's avocation is studying, photographing and writing about birds.
