Organ Mountains 4
Dripping Springs Fire, June 14, 2008
The fire started June 14 in the BLM Dripping Springs recreation area. It was very hot (over 100
degrees), but thankfully there was little wind. Everything was extremely dry and the fire quickly
spread over Squaw Mountain and then turned east into the heart of the Organs on June 15. At
times the smoke seemed to explode upward. This is probably when it hit a grove of trees. Fire
fighting units from all over the state were called in and several aircraft were used to battle the fire
in the otherwise inaccessible high country.
degrees), but thankfully there was little wind. Everything was extremely dry and the fire quickly
spread over Squaw Mountain and then turned east into the heart of the Organs on June 15. At
times the smoke seemed to explode upward. This is probably when it hit a grove of trees. Fire
fighting units from all over the state were called in and several aircraft were used to battle the fire
in the otherwise inaccessible high country.
| The approximate area of the fire |
| First view on June 14. Squaw Mountain is in the foreground. |
| At first it burned mainly grass, yucca and cactus |
| The fire at night as it burned over Squaw Mountain. |
| On June 15, there were times when there was almost an "explosion" of smoke as the fire hit patches of timber. |
| Approximate vantage points for images of the fire damage |
| Soledad Canyon looking west (B) |
| Dripping Springs looking north (C) |
| Dripping Springs looking west toward Squaw Mountain (D) |
| Soledad Canyon looking east (A) |
| These images were taken about one month after the fire. Thankfully, the area received about 5 inches of rain in that period which certainly contributed to the regrowth of many plants in the burned area. Of course, it will take years for the trees to be replaced. |