Location: Southeast of Whiteriver
Acres: 25,966
Containment: 63%
Team transition: Yesterday the Rattlesnake Fire transitioned from the Incident Management Team 5, IC Jeff Andrews, to two Type 3 Incident Management Teams, IC Chris Johnson and IC Keith Burnett.
Fire activity: The northern half of the fire is in the monitoring phase and fire activity is minimal. The spot fire near highway 191 that started last Tuesday is secure and crews continue to mop up any remaining hot spots. As a contingency measure, a structural protection plan has been completed for the Hannagan Meadow Lodge which is roughly three miles northeast of the Rattlesnake Fire. The number of personnel assigned to the fire will continue to decrease as needs dictate. The Type 3 Team Information Officers will continue to update information daily to the communities.
Weather: A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for today due to strong gusty winds, up to 35 miles per hour, and expected low relative humidity. Temperatures over the next few days are expected to drop, with snow in the forecast for next Wednesday.
Safety: Residents are reminded to drive with caution in the fire area due to potential smoke impacts on highway 191, and to allow for fire traffic as some crews are being demobilized and headed home. Continue to be vigilant in your communities. Conditions right now are equal to fire season in late June. Be prepared and have a plan for you, your family and your animals in case you would need to leave your home.
Road and area closures: Closures are in place on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, White Mountain Apache Reservation and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Visit the Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb page for details.
Fire restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is currently in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in order to reduce human-caused fires and protect public safety. San Carlos Apache Reservation implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on April 17, 2018. Modified Stage 2 Fire Restrictions continue on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5740) – BIA Fort Apache Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/ – Stage 1 Fire Restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/fire/?cid=fseprd538403 – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality https://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx