Rattlesnake Fire Update – Tuesday 4/17/18

Media & Public Information Contact:
Email: rattlesnakefireinfo2018@gmail.com

Rattlesnake Fire Update
Łťiish bitseghál kó bighą nagoďíi

Windy Weather will continue Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Location: Southeast of Whiteriver, AZ
Cause: Human Caused-under investigation
Percent containment: 5%
Start date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Size: 6,271 acres
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and grass understory
Resources: Approximately 276 personnel
Location: The Rattlesnake Fire continues to burn southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona, on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, San Carlos Indian Reservation and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

**Note: A new map should be available before the end of the day.

Winds were not as strong as was originally forecasted on Monday, allowing crews to keep fire spread to a minimum. Dead logs left on the ground after the Wallow Fire are producing heavy smoke as the fire cleans up the forest floor. The fire continues to move south on the San Carlos Indian Reservation and southeast into the Bear Wallow Wilderness. There was also fire movement toward the northeast, staying south of Forest Road 25 on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Smoke from the Rattlesnake Fire impacted Alpine and surrounding communities, and may continue to impact these areas due to forecasted winds. Fire crews continue to reinforce and strengthen the containment line along Forest Road 25 on the north and east side of the fire. The fire has not moved into areas on the west side where prescribed fire treatments were conducted by the BIA Fort Apache Agency. Fresh firefighting crews are being sent south of the fire to improve and prepare control lines to prevent additional fire spread onto the San Carlos Indian Reservation.

Closures: The expanded closure order on the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests can be viewed on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd576734.pdf The Y79 road at the Y40 Junction and the 25F road at the Y40 junction, on the White Mountain Apache Reservation within the boundary of the Rattlesnake Fire are closed. Please drive carefully and turn on headlights if traveling on the Y40 road.
Restrictions: Modified Stage 2 Fire Restrictions continue 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 is prohibited until further notice.

Anyone having information regarding how the Rattlesnake Fire started is asked to contact WE-TIP at 1-800-47ARSON (1- 800-472-7766).

InciWeb page (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5740)
BIA Fort Apache Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/)
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs)
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Twitter page (https://twitter.com/A_SNFs)
Northeastern Arizona Public Information System (www.311info.net)

Nowhi ni’ nłt’eego anłsih – Take care of our land

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *