After the devastation of the Telegraph and Mescal wildfires, fears of post-fire flooding came true over the Fourth of July weekend. Days of rain over the burn scar sent torrents of black water and debris down Pinal Creek. Flooding also hit Russell Gulch, Bloody Tanks Wash, Claypool and Wheatfields. At least 15 homes were damaged by the rushing waters and mud.
The following Tuesday, Gila County Public Works Director Steve Sanders told the Board of Supervisors that the rain started Friday, July 2. He said a rain gauge in Six Shooter Canyon recorded more than three inches over the weekend, while gauges on Signal Peak and in Russell Gulch recorded 1.89 and 1.54 inches respectively.
Read the full article in this week’s Arizona Silver Belt
