USFS News Release – Blue River Fire Update

Incident Start Date: 6/29/2019 Cause: Lightning/Natural Percent contained: 40%
Incident Type: Wildfire Size: 1439 Acres Fuel: Timber & Short Grass
Resources assigned: 1 Engine. Total Personnel: 3 Suppression Strategy: Point / Zone Protection

Current Situation: On June 30, 2019, Fire managers received a report of smoke in the vicinity of Campbell Blue drainage west of Blue River Ranch. Due to the overabundance of snags from the 2011 Wallow Fire, as well as steep slopes, this naturally occurring low intensity fire is currently being monitored by both onsite crews as well as air resources. This lightening caused fire will be used to reintroduce fire into the ecosystem, restore natural fire regimes, and remove excess fuels.

Today’s Plan: The fire received rainfall Saturday night and Sunday. This rain slowed the spread of the fire. All resources were released. The fire will be monitored by 1 local engine. There are still stump holes and large logs that are continuing to smoke on the interior of the fire.

Smoky Conditions Remain in the Area: Smoke from the Blue River Fire may be visible from the Blue River road going south of Alpine. Light smoke may continue to impact Campbell Blue and the Blue community.

Visitor Information: If you are sensitive to smoke, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services website at http://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/index.php#wildfires-home for additional information regarding the dangers of wildfire and prescribed burn smoke and wildfire preparedness.

Closures and Restrictions: None
Road and Trail Closures: None

Fire restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is not currently in fire restrictions. Visitors are reminded to be very careful with fire. Never leave a fire unattended – even for a short time.

Additional Information on wildfire and wildfire safety can be found at:
o Northeastern Arizona Public Information System: https://311info.net/ or call 311 or 928.333.3412
o Arizona Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/az/
o Fire Restrictions and Red Flag Alerts: http://wildlandfire.az.gov/
o Wildfires Near Me: http://www.wildfiresnearme.wfmrda.com/
o Fire Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6413/

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