Location: 10 miles south of Young AZ, Tonto National Forest
Size: Approximately 30,357 acres
Percent Contained: 30%
Cause: Lightning
Resources Assigned: 528 personnel (10 Crews, 6 Helicopters, 21 Engines, 2 Dozers, 11 Water Tenders and 1 Masticator)
The Juniper Fire continues to provide significant benefits to the ecosystem in the Sierra Ancha Mountains, meeting the
expectations of fire managers. Yesterday, firefighters conducted burnout operations using both hand and aerial ignitions in
the Parker Creek and Pocket Creek areas. Ground crews completed handlines on a significant portion of the northwestern
section of the fire. Due to a combination of firefighter efforts, lower temperatures and increased relative humidity, fire
activity is decreasing along the north, northwest and southeast perimeter.
Highway 288 remains closed south of Young between mileposts 280 and 293 as the majority of crews are working along
that corridor. Today, firefighters are continuing to use burnout operations in the southwestern portion of the fire to achieve
low severity post-fire results as it slowly moves toward the highway. Other crews are working diligently to mop up,
remove hose and equipment, and return containment lines to a more natural state, and fire managers anticipate reopening
the highway this weekend.
Forest Road 203 remains closed. The closure of the general forest area around the Juniper Fire will be lifted when
conditions are safe for public access.
The town of Young is open for business and away from the fire area. Visitors can still access Pleasant Valley from the
north by State Route 260 and Forest Road 512.
Near normal seasonal temperature and humidity is expected over the next few days. Increased potential for afternoon and
evening showers and thunderstorms are predicted. Erratic winds and lightning may be experienced near the fire area.
The Juniper Fire is fulfilling its natural role in the ecosystem maintaining forest health and reducing fuel-loading. The
forest needs frequent, low severity fire to restore wildlife habitat, promote healthy vegetation, reduce fuels and the risk of
severe fire, and to lower future fire risk for residents, visitors, and firefighters. The Juniper Fire has been an excellent
opportunity to reintroduce low severity fire in the Sierra Ancha Mountains.
Wildfires across the Southwest, including the Juniper Fire, continue to produce light to moderate smoke. For more
information on how smoke can affect you, please visit: http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx.
For more information on wildfires across the nation, please visit: www.inciweb.nwcg.gov. To receive notification of
wildfires in your area sent to a cell phone visit Wildfires Near Me at: https://www.wildfiresnearme.wfmrda.com.