7/11/16 – The National Weather Service has advised that we have a Red Flag Warning in effect for today. Increased winds out of the southwest will be in the 15-25 MPH range with gusts from 35 to 40 MPH. The relative humidity level is 8 to 15%. The Red Flag Warning will be in effect until 8:00 pm tonight.

Please be advised this means NO fires allowed! Even the campfires in designated campgrounds should be extinguished completely in order to avoid embers being blown and causing an ignition.

Remember, “One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire!”

7/8/16 – – For Immediate Release – The lightning-caused Miller Fire continues to spread north of Jenkins Creek on the Quemado Ranger District of the Gila National Forest. The fire is located twenty six miles northwest of Luna and seventeen miles southeast of Springerville, AZ. The fire is estimated at 130 acres with ten personnel assigned. The fire has been managed under a monitoring strategy since it started June 23.

Personnel committed to the incident are monitoring and patrolling the fire. The fire is expected to continue moving west and northwest along the ridge above Jenkins Creek. Observed fire activity includes backing fire with flame lengths less than one foot, on the northwest edge of the fire. The fire is burning logs, branches, and needles on the forest floor.

Forecasted weather over the next several days calls for a warming and drying trend. It is anticipated fire behavior will increase, and smoke will be visible from several locations: State Highway 60 near the New Mexico/Arizona state line, the communities of Springerville and St. John’s, AZ, and residential areas near Nelson Reservoir in Arizona.

7/7/16 –  Despite Coconino and portions of Kaibab National Forests lifting fire restrictions, local fire officials have made the decision to keep Navajo County, Apache County and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

This means the following acts remain prohibited until further notice:

– Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire (unless noted in the exemptions below).
– Smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
– Use of any and all fireworks.
– Use of explosive targets.
– Use of tracer round ammunition.

Exemptions:

– Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
– Fires used only for the cooking of food or for providing warmth for human beings or recreational purposes (campfires and charcoal fires) in an area that is designated for that purpose and is barren or cleared of all debris.
– Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
– Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
– Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
– All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.
– Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

*An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

The next two weeks are expected to bring hot, dry conditions back to the region, so residents and visitors alike are asked to be aware of your surroundings and make sure you are using safe practices when exploring our great outdoors!
#OneLessSpark