Historic feed store burns down in Cave Creek - Foothills Focus

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By Tom Scanlon, Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Firefighting crews taking a break from battling the 1,000-acre Ocotillo Fire were called back to the area for another fire early June 1.

A Rural Metro Fire crew arrived at Cave Creek’s historic Black Mountain Feed Store at 3:30 a.m., too late to save a burning building filled with hay.

“Unfortunately, the feed store was destroyed along with much if not all of the supplies on-site,” said Shawn Gilleland, a Rural Metro spokesman. He said 50 firefighters, including crews from Scottsdale and Phoenix fire departments, tried to save the building.

For Cave Creek Mayor Ernie Bunch, two major fires in two days was overwhelming.

“At this point, I’d welcome locusts. At least we could kill them,” Bunch said. “It’s just incredible.”

Bunch, who lives near Carefree Highway, said he was part of the mandatory evacuation for the Ocotillo Fire, which is believed to have started May  30 at Rancho Manana Golf Club.

Black Mountain Feed Store is about a mile from the golf course. We are confident the fire is not related to the Ocotillo Fire that burned through north of this location in the previous days,” Gilleland said.

“There have been rumors that (the feed store) fire was caused by arson, rioters or antifa,” Gilleland said, using the abbreviation for anti-fascist groups that some have blamed for recent riots around the country.

“At this time, none of these rumors have been validated,”  Gilleland said.

“There’s an awful lot of rumors,” Bunch said.

The Cave Creek mayor noted there were already extra Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies patrolling the town. “We’re doing that again tonight,” he said on Monday afternoon.

“We’ve got to protect the town. I’m a little concerned some of the residents are talking about taking up arms and patrolling. That’s a concern to me,” Bunch said. “Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire, and they were Army Rangers—they knew what they were doing.”

The cause of the feed-store fire is being investigated.

“The origin of the fire is not known at this time, and MCSO arson detectives are on scene investigating. Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, and at this time there is no known information to link this fire to acts of violence surrounding our state,” said Joaquin Enriquez, an MCSO spokesman.

“MCSO will have an increased presence in the area, as our patrol deputies have been advised of the fire,” Enriquez added.

The Black Mountain Feed and Tack Store was originally a residence. In 2007, Mel Coleman bought the feed store at 17230 N. Cave Creek Road, across the street from Frontier Town.

Coleman is a Canadian cowboy who was elected into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2016, in honor of a career in which he won seven Saddle Bronc Championships from 1974 to 1989.

Attempts to reach him Monday were unsuccessful, as employees of his other store said Coleman was driving south from Oregon.

According to a Black Mountain Feed Facebook post, patrons can get delivery service from Coleman’s North Phoenix store, Anderson’s Feed at 722 W. Tierra Buena Lane, 602-993-8770.

While stunned by the back-to-back fires, Bunch said they should serve as a reminder for Cave Creekers and others in the area to protect their homes.

“We’ve been preaching to the residents for two years ago about defensible space,” Bunch said.

Bunch said he drove through the Ocotillo Fire area with a fire crew after that fire was under control.

“The houses with defensible spaces were all OK,” he said.

The Cave Creek mayor advised all homeowners to clear at least 30 feet around their homes.

“Look at what used to be pristine Sonoran Desert; now it’s like a moonscape,” Bunch said, noting fires over the last two weeks that have ravaged desert areas.

“If you’re in part of Cave Creek that hasn’t burned yet, we’ve got dry lighting coming before the monsoons. Please protect your space.”

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