After thinking the fire was so far away, we got a midnight call to evacuate, at first said to be mandatory where we live a couple of miles from Portal. (Actually, Arizona does not have mandatory evacuations.) People in Portal proper received the same call about 3 AM. Fire fighters are beginning their work. A type one team has arrived and they worked on their plan early this morning. Roads are being closed.
Alan and I spent most of the night packing artwork, computers etc, then drove to the base of the hill and tried to sleep in the car for an hour or so. Soon, too soon, a red sun burned in the east. The fire was still above our house, so we returned briefly for a shower and breakfast.
Fire has burned about 8000 acres, the entire northeast face of the Chiricahuas in a single 24 hour period. It was burning about a half mile directly above our house when we went back up for breakfast. Rumor is that flames were also visible from SWRS. Wind is gusty. I found wireless at Chiricahua Desert Museum, to make this post, but will have to add photos later.