The Snake Ridge Fire was started by lightning on Friday May 19th, 2017 about nine miles northwest of Clints Well, and 10 miles southwest of Happy Jack, Arizona. This natural fire was allowed it to fulfill its role and move across the landscape consuming dead and downed wood, pine needles and forest fuels.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS FGZ wrote it up.
The Snake Ridge Fire was started by lightning on Friday May 19th, 2017 about nine miles northwest of Clints Well, and 10 miles southwest of Happy Jack, Arizona. This natural fire was allowed it to fulfill its role and move across the landscape consuming dead and downed wood, pine needles and forest fuels. The final size by June 5th was 15,333 Acres.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Flagstaff, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 19, 2:16 PM MST, 46 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 216 PM MST Fri May 19 2017 .SYNOPSIS...For the weekend, expect dry weather, relatively light winds and a warming trend. On Monday, isolated storms over higher terrain are possible. Beginning Tuesday, high pressure will lead to near to above normal temperatures and afternoon breezes. && .DISCUSSION...Current satellite and upper-air analysis reveals the low that brought winds, rain and snow to the area has moved into Colorado. This leaves northern Arizona on the backside of a longwave trough draped across the central United States. As a result, a light northerly wind has developed across the region, with partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies confined to northeast portions of the state. Over the weekend, northern Arizona remains under the influence of a broad longwave trough. Dry weather, along with warming temperatures and relatively light winds are forecast. On Monday, isolated storms are possible over higher terrain as a fast moving shortwave trough crosses the area. Beginning Tuesday, an upper-level ridge is forecast to setup over the state from the west. This will result in near to above normal temperatures and typical breezy afternoon winds. Dry weather is forecast across northern Arizona, except perhaps in the White Mountains where enough instability may exist for some isolated storms. && .AVIATION...For the 00Z package...Expect VFR conditions and light afternoon breezes over the next 24 hours. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...Expect dry conditions and a warming trend for the weekend. Moderate to High Haines values are forecast by Sunday. Monday through Wednesday...Moderate to High Haines values are forecast each day, with isolated high-based storms possible in mountainous terrain on Monday. Daytime temperatures will be near to slightly above normal. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && PUBLIC...RR AVIATION...RR FIRE WEATHER...RR For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.
The Snake Ridge Fire burned 15,333 acres in dead and down wood, pine needles and forest fuels.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arizona in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, May 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 706952.