Official Update ****6/22/16 at 8:49 am****
Fire is approximately 42, 802 acres and 22% contained with approximately 967 personnel.
Yesterday the fire had no growth to the north. As a result containment has increased from SR 60 at approximately mile post 323 on the west side, to the Playground Fire scar to the east.
Today the eastern flank will be the most active with increased fire and smoke activity. Firefighters are continuing to build fire line along the B-33 road.
The southern fire edge that was threatening the community of Cedar Creek has had no significant movement in the last 24 hours, partially due to the transition to more sparse vegetation. As a result the containment lines are holding and crews will continue to make improvements.
Fire mangers do not expect the fire to move any closer to the town of Cedar Creek. We would also like to remind residents that this area remains closed to the public to ensure public and firefighter safety.
In the southwest corner of the fire the crews may conduct burnout operations when and if conditions are favorable. This may cause an increased in fire activity and smoke. Fire may be visible from the area of SR 60 and SR 73 today. SR 60 between Mileposts 318-338 remains closed to travelers due to smoke conditions and firefighters actively working near the roadway. SR 73 through Whiteriver remains open from Carrizo to Hon-Dah.
The pre-evacuation notice will remain in effect for the communities of Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Hon-Dah, McNary and Cedar Creek.
Firefighting efforts around the electric lines that feed Cibecue, Cedar Creek, and Carrizo have been successful, Navopache Electric Co-Op does not anticipate de-energizing the lines again today.
If an evacuation notice is given, the evacuation sites will be Round Valley Middle School in Eagar via SR 73 and then SR 260 east. There is also an evacuation site at Holbrook High School to the north. Livestock may be taken to Round Valley Rodeo Grounds, the Holbrook Fairgrounds, and the Taylor Rodeo Complex. Community members that wish to evacuate now can go to the sites listed above.
Firefighting aircraft – such as air attack aircraft, lead planes, airtankers, and helicopters – typically fly in smoky, windy, and turbulent conditions. Safety depends on knowing what other aircraft are operating in the airspace and where they are at all times. This is compromised by the presence of unauthorized UAS. Unauthorized UAS flights could lead fire managers to suspend aerial wildfire suppression operations – such as airtankers dropping fire retardant and helicopters dropping water – until the UAS has left the airspace and they are confident it won’t return.
The bottom line is that “If you fly, we can’t.”
