Wildfire updates: North of Sedona may be evacuated
Wildfire season in Arizona has just begun and active fire behavior is expected to continue as temperatures continue to rise.
Wildfires caused by lightning are not uncommon, particularly as the Rafael, Wyrick, and Bear fires break out across the state. Monsoon season in Arizona is officially underway, adding to the danger. Here are the latest updates on the fires around Arizona.
Backbone Fire
Location: Adjacent to the Pine and Strawberry communities, about 75 miles southeast of Flagstaff in northcentral Arizona.
Evacuations and closures: Evacuations were issued for both Pine and Strawberry. “Ready” orders were issued for Verde Lakes and Beasley Flats by the Yavapai County Sheriff ’s Office on Tuesday.
Portions of state routes 260 and 87 were closed due to the Backbone Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. SR 260 is closed in both directions between Camp Verde at milepost 227 and SR 87 at milepost 252. SR 87 is closed in both directions between Houston Mesa Road in Payson at milepost 255 and Lake Mary Road at milepost 290.
What we know: Fire crews continue to monitor the fire as it grows east of the Verde River, and the contingency lines constructed for Beasley Flat and Camp Verde are being improved, a Coconino National Forest news release said.
Possible firing operations are set to occur along State Route 260, and fire personnel secured the east side of the fire to improve progress made Monday night, according to forest officials.
Crews will continue to work on the southeast area of the fire, including Hardscrabble Canyon and Deadman Mesa to prevent the fire from establishing in the drainage, forest officials said.
The focus Wednesday will be to hold and improve the construction line established near Strawberry and Pine, in addition to protecting values and assessing potential hazards, according to Coconino Forest officials.
On Tuesday evening, James Wettstaed, public information officer with the overhead team for the Backbone Fire, said the fire had reached the Fossil Creek Recreation Area, but the extent of damages was still unknown. The area was previously closed due to the proximity of the fire.
Active fire behavior is expected through Wednesday because of winds in the area, according to InciWeb.
A community meeting will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Philip England Performing Arts Center, at 210 Camp Lincoln Road in Camp Verde, according to the release.
Acreage: 38,321 acres. Containment: 1% containment.
Rafael Fire
Location: North of Perkinsville in north-central Arizona, the Rafael Fire includes the Prescott, Kaibab and Coconino National Forests, and spans the Yavapai/Coconino County line, according to InciWeb.
Evacuations and closures: Evacuation orders have been issued for areas around Sycamore Canyon, south of Forest Service Road 535 and ranches at the end of Forest Service Road 525. Residents living off Bill Gray Road, Forest Road 525 and Forest Road 152c north of State Route 89A were placed in “set” status Wednesday afternoon, according to an update from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
Residents may evacuate to Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff for shelter.
The sheriff ’s office also encouraged Sedona residents living north of 89A in uptown and its western edges to prepare for a possible evacuation.
Garland Prairie, Pine Aire Estates and residents in between should be prepared, in case an evacuation is ordered for the area, according to InciWeb.
All areas south of 1-40, west of I-17 including University Heights, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Pine Dell, and Woody Mountain Road are encouraged to be prepared for a pending evacuation order, according to the Coconino County Facebook page.
Happy Jack Lodge, Clear Creek Pines 1 and 2, Mahan Park, Poor Farm and Fisher Properties were also encouraged to be prepared for evacuations due to a wildfire in the area, the county’s Facebook page said.
What we know: The fire was discovered Friday and was the result of thunderstorms, according to InciWeb, a wildfire tracking website operated by the U.S. Forest Service.
Collaboration with firefighting aircraft slowed fire progression on the east and south sides of the fire Tuesday night. Control lines were put into place to protect fire lookouts, cultural resources, private property, and infrastructure, according to InciWeb.
The fire crossed up from Tule Canyon to Sycamore Point and moved east from Sycamore Canyon to Casner Mountain. It is headed northeast towards higher elevation and is burning through timber fuel types.
Cooler weather over Tuesday night and a 60% chance of rain will benefit firefighting efforts, according to InciWeb.
The fire grew from 400 to more than 20,000 acres since Sunday due to extreme wind conditions, low humidity and the terrain present in the area, according to InciWeb.
Acreage: 24,191 acres.
Containment: 0% containment.
Pinnacle Fire
Location: About 38 miles west of Safford in Graham County, southeastern Arizona.
Evacuations and closures: Evacuations were issued for all residences in the Black Rock Road area and Klondyke-Aravaipa corridor in Graham County, according to InciWeb, a wildfire tracking website operated by the U.S. Forest Service.
What we know: Fire activity remained quiet Tuesday night due to overcast skies and cooler temperatures that allowed fire crews to mop up and patrol hot spots, according to the Pinnacle Fire Information page.
The plan Wednesday was to patrol, mop up and monitor fire lines as well as conduct repair on bulldozer lines, chipping brush cut from fire lines and smoothing areas of disturbed ground to minimize erosion, according to the information page.
Night operations will be integrated into daytime efforts. Fire operations needs will be reduced as Pinnacle Fire activity declines, according to the information page.
Weather will continue to be hot and dry with moderate wind and increased humidity.
Acreage: 34,395 acres. Containment: 42% containment.
Telegraph Fire
Location: South of Globe, about 88 miles east of Phoenix in central Arizona, in Tonto National Forest.
Evacuations and closures: As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, “Set” orders were issued for Dripping Springs, Wind Spirit, Hagen Ranch, Slash S Ranch, Government Springs, El Capitan East and West, Six Shooter and Ice House Canyons.
“Ready” orders have been issued for Superior, Globe, Miami, Claypool, Central Heights, Pinto/Carlotta, Skill Center, Fairgrounds, Schulze Ranch, Ray Mine, Top-of-the-World, Bellevue, Oak Flat, Beverly Hills, Riverside, Kearny, Winkelman, Hayden and the Battle Axe area.
What we know: Favorable weather conditions resulted in minimal growth over Tuesday night causing the suspension of night fire operations. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire and threats to communities and infrastructure, according to an update by the Northwest Incident Management Team on Facebook.
The plan for Wednesday was to have fire crews monitor hot spots in the Ice Canyon area and the southeast area of the fire on Mescal Mountain. Crews will mop up along U.S. 60 and the State Route 77 corridor. Crews will be assisted by aircraft support for suppression efforts in the area, according to the update.
Acreage: 180,725 acres. Containment: 89% containment.
Walnut Fire
Location: Seven miles northwest of Dragoon in southeast Arizona, near Mae West Peak in the Texas Canyon area, according to InciWeb.
Evacuations and closures: “Go” orders were lifted for the Dragoon area, allowing residents to return home at “Ready” status, according to a tweet from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
An American Red Cross Shelter was established inside the Benson High School gym, at 360 S. Patagonia St. in Benson. The gym can be accessed off South Central Avenue, one block west of Patagonia Street, according to InciWeb.
A shelter for large and small animals is available at J7 Equestrian Center, 3606 W. Williams Road.
What we know: On Tuesday, crews worked to contain the Walnut Fire as it made its way through drought-stressed vegetation as well as rocks and logs, according to InciWeb.
Direct attack on the fire was scheduled for Wednesday, in addition, to focusing on structure protection and securing fire line along Interstate 10.
Fire crews protected structures and threatened property, including the Amerind
Museum. Crews on the ground also worked with aircraft to hold the fire away from the I-10.
Though I-10 is now open in both directions, drivers need to remain vigilant since smoke in the area may impact the highway again, InciWeb stated. Acreage: 8,572 acres.
Containment: 0%.
Wyrick Fire
Location: Northwest of Heber, the fire is located on the Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in northeastern Arizona.
Evacuations and closures: “Go” orders were issued for Despain Ranch, Antelope Valley and Heber and Overgaard north of highways 260 and 277, according to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Facebook page.
Chevelon Retreat and Ranches, Overgaard communities south of Highway 277 and north of Highway 260 and areas in Heber not on “Ready” or “Go” status were on “Set” status as of 5 p.m. Monday.
Overgaard communities south of Highway 260, High Country Pines in Heber and Kendall Ranch/Camp Ponderosa were on “Ready” status.
Evacuation shelters for the Wyrick Fire were set up at Holbrook High School, 455 N. Eighth Ave., according to the Wyrick-West Chev Fire Information. Livestock or pets can be sheltered at the
Navajo County Fairgrounds.
The U.S. Forest Service said ApacheSitgreaves National Forests would close starting June 24 in order to ensure public safety, according to InciWeb. Campers and visitors were advised to vacate the area before then. Only those with private inholdings in the area would be allowed access, the site stated.
What we know: On Monday, Navajo County issued a state of emergency, according to its Facebook page.
A chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the area have been cited as a weather concern for Wednesday, according to InciWeb.
The fire, which began Saturday, has exhibited extreme fire behavior and was burning through timber and grass, according to InciWeb. It is believed the fire was caused by lightning.
There are 91 personnel members at the scene, according to InciWeb. Acreage: 7,101 acres.
Containment: 0% containment.
Slate Fire
Location: 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff in northern Arizona.
Evacuations and closures: No evacuations or closures at this time.
What we know: No structures or communities have been threatened since the fire began June 7. Fire crews will continue to secure lines and monitor the fire until it has reached full containment, according to InciWeb.
The worry, for the 16 personnel members, is that dry and warm conditions will persist through the week, according to InciWeb.
Acreage: 11,435 acres.
Containment: 85% containment.
Bear Fire
Location: South of Hannagan Meadow, about 280 miles east of Phoenix in central Arizona.
Evacuations and closures: As of Sunday, U.S. Route 191 remains closed between mile post 195 and 250 south of Alpine, according to an update from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
There is no estimated time for reopening the road.
Coconino National Forest closed for public safety purposes on June 23. The closure will not be rescinded until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire, according to forest officials.
What we know: The Bear Fire, which began June 16, was caused by lightning, according to InciWeb.
Fire crews intend to confine this fire using both indirect and direct tactics, protection will be implemented for Highway 191, according to InciWeb. Acreage: 7,300 acres.
Containment: 0% containment.