Location:
 Alpine Ranger District
 1 mile northwest of Hannagan Meadow Lodge
 North of FSR 576
 West of Balke Cabin
Discovery Date: June 7, 2016, reported at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Size: Approximately 4-5 acres Percent Contained: 0
Cause: Lightning Growth Potential: Low – Moderate
Resources Assigned: 3 Engines, 1 Hotshot Crew, 1 Dozer, and 1 Feller Buncher

Summary:
The Balke Fire started in the Wallow Fire scar near Balke Cabin. Due to a large amount of snags from the Wallow Fire it is unsafe to put fire personnel directly on the fire. Personnel are prepping roads in the area to reduce hazards from snags. Structure protection is in place for the historic Balke Cabin.

Fire Information: Further information on this incident is available on 311 via your mobile device, landline 928.333.3412, https://twitter.com/A_SNFs and https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs

For information on smoke and your health, check out https://nmtracking.org/en/environ_exposure/fire-and-smoke/#xEPHT__fivemile__1329.

6/7/16 – Fire managers will hold a community meeting at the Young Community Center, 7:00 P.M. Wednesday June 8th, to update citizens on the status of the Juniper Fire.

There is a new Juniper Fire Public Information Line: 928-462-4071

Yesterday’s high winds and low humidity increased fire behavior within the assessed fire perimeter, causing fire to cross over the Cherry Creek drainage near Hinton Creek. At 18:00 last night there was approximately 100 acres burning east of Cherry Creek. Helicopters dropped water on the area throughout the evening, slowing the spread. Weather conditions are predicted to improve over the next few days with diminishing winds, lowering temperatures, and higher humidity. This should help the fire maintain the goal of lower intensity burn patterns.

Firefighter and public safety is our number one objective in managing this and all wildfires. The area where the fire is burning is very steep and rough terrain. Ground crews are conducting burnout operations and constructing fire control lines from safe locations. Helicopters will continue to make water drops in these areas to help keep the fire intensity at a manageable level.

Several wildfires, including The Juniper Fire, continue to produce light to moderate smoke. As can be expected, air quality varies throughout the state. Several temporary air monitors have been placed in smoke impacted communities. Their data have recorded air quality as good or moderate. Wildfire smoke can cause health effects such as breathing difficulties among people with prior respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. Elderly people, pregnant women, infants and children can also be susceptible. If you are experiencing medical problems for any reason, seek medical treatment immediately.

For more information on how smoke can effect you go to: www.phoenixvis.net

Location: 10 miles south of Young AZ, Tonto National Forest.

Size:  Approximately 28,504 acres.

Percent Contained 20%.

Cause: Lightning caused.

Resources Assigned: 516 total personnel 10 Crews, 7 Helicopters, 16 Engines, 3 Dozers, 7 Water Tenders and 1 Masticator.

6/6/16 – The Juniper (see attached map)  and Pivot Rock Fires continue to produce heavy smoke which combined with the southwest winds are pushing the smoke to the northeast corner of Arizona. Smoke will be heavy in the valleys and drainages of the Mogollon Rim, White Mountains and Little Colorado River Valley across both Apache and Navajo Counties.

Wednesday a high pressure system will bring with it a chance for thunder storms over several days. The system will enter the area producing chances for little rain, gusty winds and the possibility of lightning primarily over the Mogollon Rim.