Rattlesnake Fire Update for Friday April 13

Location: Southeast of Whiteriver
Start date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Cause: Unknown/Under investigation
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and grass understory
Size: Approximately 760 acres (Fort Apache Indian Reservation: 600 acres, Apache-Sitgreaves NF/ San Carlos Indian Reservation: 160 acres)
Resources Assigned: Approximately 158 personnel
Percent Containment: 0%

Firefighters are still working to contain the Rattlesnake fire and strategy for the incident is full suppression. Yesterday, strong winds made containment progress slow. Fire crews completed control lines in the southwest section of the fire, securing it off of Rattlesnake point. Aircraft was grounded due to high winds. A spot fire was established on San Carlos Agency side of Black River in an isolated area.

Today, Crews will continue to prepare control lines along the north flank of the fire. Firefighters will construct indirect lines in the western flank of the fire. The high winds will continue to hamper containment progress.

A Red Flag warning is in effect from noon to 9:00 pm this evening. Today the winds will shift and will be coming from the north and northwest and pushing the fire in a south and southwesterly direction.

Several roads within the boundary of the Rattlesnake Fire will be closed: The Y79 road at the Y40 Junction and the 25F road at the Y40 junction. The public is asked to drive carefully and turn on their headlights if traveling on the Y40 road.

Modified Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Campfires will NOT be allowed during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and debris burning will be prohibited until further notice.

Anyone having information regarding the Rattlesnake Fire contact WE-TIP at 1-800-47ARSON (1-800-472-7766). Official incident information will be posted online at the Rattlesnake Fire InciWeb page (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5740) and BIA Fort Apache Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/).

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