Daily Update 6/29/2021

Wyrick
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Acres: Wyrick: 7,592 acres
Cause: Lightning
Location: 2 miles north of Mogollon HS, Heber, AZ
Containment: 96%
Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, Timber and grass
Total Personnel: 209

West Chev
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Acres: 1,170 acres
Cause: Lightning
Location: 12.5 miles northwest of Heber, AZ
Containment: 85%
Fuels: Timber and grass

Announcement: This is the final Daily Update from Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 (SWIMT 5) covering the Wyrick and West Chev fires. Management responsibility for the fires transitions back to the Black Mesa Ranger District at 6:00 PM tonight. SWIMT 5 wants to express our appreciation to the affected communities for their friendliness and overwhelming support throughout this effort.
For fire information after today, please call the Black Mesa Ranger Station at 928-535-7300 during normal business hours.

Overview: With containment on both fires at greater than 80 percent, management of the Wyrick and West Chev Fires transitions back to the local unit today. There is a 40 percent chance of rain on the fires today with more rain predicted over the next few days. Firefighters will monitor and patrol the fires today and reinforcement containment lines.

Fire Update:
Wyrick: Firefighters made good progress yesterday on the uncontained portions of the fire bringing overall containment up to 96 percent. This was a continuation of work done over the past few days with crews eliminating hotspots near containment lines. Light smoke could still be seen in internal areas. Infrared imagery from last night showed there are still areas of heat within the fire. So again today, firefighters will patrol and monitor the fire, looking for these areas of heat near the fire line. Efforts will be concentrated on the uncontained portions of the line in the northeast section of the fire.

West Chev: Yesterday, with an increase in relative humidity, the fire moved very slowly in Circle Bar draw. This is the only area where the fire is yet uncontained. As on the Wyrick fire, crews worked to extinguish hotspots and increase depth of containment lines. The fire will smolder today with only limited movement in Circle Bar Draw. Firefighters will again patrol the fire perimeter looking for hotspots which could threaten the line. In addition, they will be closely monitoring fire behavior in Circle Bar draw.

Weather: Moist air moved over the area yesterday and produced light rain showers. This afternoon, showers will develop over the Mogollon Rim and drift north over the fires. Chance of thundershowers today is 40 percent. Thunderstorms have the potential to cause gusty and erratic winds, which could blow ash into the air. Temperatures will be in the 70’s and 80’s with relative humidity percentages in the 30’s. This pattern will continue through the week.

Closures: A complete closure of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests remains in effect. Additional details can be found at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – News & Events (usda.gov). Arizona State Trust Lands in all 15 counties are closed for recreational use. For current information on highways, please continue to watch Arizona Department of Transportation’s AZ511.gov website.

Smoke: Very little smoke is expected from the Wyrick and West Chev Fires today. There are several other fires burning in Arizona right now. Information on these fires and their expected impacts to air quality can be found on inciweb at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov. General smoke and air quality information for the state can be found on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at: https://azdeq.gov/WildfireForecast.

Values: Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. Additional values at risk include properties and infrastructure, as well as power and transmission lines, communication towers, campgrounds, critical range infrastructure, and cultural and natural resources.

More Information:
Inciweb:
 West Chev: West Chev Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)
 Wyrick: Wyrick Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)
Wyrick-West Chev Fire Information: (20+) Wyrick-West Chev Fire Information | Facebook
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – Home (usda.gov)
Highway Closures: https://az511.gov/
Navajo County Emergency Management: https://www.navajocountyaz.gov/Departments/Emergency-Management-and-Preparedness/Ready-Navajo-County-Notification-System/Ready-Navajo-County-Registration
Navajo County Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavajoCountyEM/
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/NCSO.AZ/posts/4060988313951038
Fire Restrictions in Arizona: WildlandFire.AZ.gov/fire-restrictions

Daily Update 6/28/2021

Wyrick
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Acres: Wyrick: 7,592 acres
Cause: Lightning
Location: 2 miles north of Mogollon HS, Heber, AZ
Containment: 79%
Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, Timber and grass
Total Personnel: 329

West Chev
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Acres: 1,170 acres
Cause: Lightning
Location: 12.5 miles northwest of Heber, AZ
Containment: 85%
Fuels: Timber and grass

Announcement: As of 6:00 AM this morning, all evacuation noticess have been rescinded. The Wyrick and West Chev Fires no longer pose a threat to any communities. As a reminder, the ponderosa pine forests along the Mogollon Rim are subject to frequent fires as well as other natural hazards. Navajo County has adopted the “Ready, Set, Go”, educational program so residents are prepared for these emergencies when they happen. For additional information about the Ready, Set, Go program and how to sign up for alerts, please visit Navajo County Emergency Management Ready-Set-Go at: https://www.navajocountyaz.gov/Departments/Emergency-Management-and-Preparedness/Ready-Set-GO.

Overview: As containment continues to increase on these two fires, firefighting resources are being demobilized and made available to other areas where needed. Accordingly, Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 and the Black Mesa Ranger District are developing a plan to transition management of both fires back to the Forest Service.

Fire Update:
Wyrick: Yesterday crews worked to extinguish hotspots along containment lines and well into the interior of the fire. In some cases infrared imagery was used to detect and guide firefighters to these areas of heat. Repair work was completed on secondary containment lines built earlier in the suppression effort. Wind will start out today from the northeast. This is the third day in a row with wind from a different direction testing areas along containment lines. Today crews will continue to monitor lines and look for areas of heat. Depth of containment lines will continue to increase as firefighters move further into the interior of the burn looking for hotspots. Efforts will again be concentrated along the southern boundary of the fire between the 504 and 95 roads as well as the northeast corner of the fire. Although resources will concentrate in these areas, patrols will monitor the entire perimeter of the fire.

West Chev: Firefighters completed the containment line across Circle Bar draw yesterday tying existing roads and hand lines together resulting in a containment line around the entire West Chev Fire. Helicopters dropped water on areas of active fire behavior in the afternoon to slow progression of the fire toward that new containment line. Fire crews will monitor fire behavior and activity today. They will take action as necessary to hold and secure containment lines and ensure the fire advances evenly to the containment line constructed yesterday.

Weather: Weather today will begin to transition from dry to moist as moisture moves into the area with northeast and easterly winds. Temperatures will continue to be seasonally warm with relative humidity increasing throughout the day. Afternoon thunderstorms will begin to develop late in the day over the Mogollon Rim with a 30 percent chance of showers over the fires. Moisture will continue to flow across the region throughout the week with increasing chances of showers.

Closures: A complete closure of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests remains in effect. Additional details can be found at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – News & Events (usda.gov). Arizona State Trust Lands in all 15 counties are closed for recreational use. For current information on highways, please continue to watch Arizona Department of Transportation’s AZ511.gov website.

Smoke: Localized smoke impacts may exist in communities east of the fire if fire activity picks up, mainly in the afternoon. Expect smoke production from the east side of Wyrick this afternoon once conditions dry out from remaining fuels. While not a lot of smoke is expected from both fires today, this weekend is trending drier and hotter, so expect some smoke production. A predominant northerly wind today should transport any generated smoke to the south. If fire activity increases, expect smoke impacts to Forest Lakes. Overnight drainage winds may push smoke into Forest Lakes. The area may see influence from the Backbone and Rafael fires if winds shift from the west. The Daily Smoke Outlook can be found by visiting: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternArizona

Values: Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. Additional values at risk include properties and infrastructure, as well as power and transmission lines, communication towers, campgrounds, critical range infrastructure, and cultural and natural resources.

More Information:
Inciweb:
• West Chev: West Chev Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov) https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7565/
• Wyrick: Wyrick Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov) https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7558/
Wyrick-West Chev Fire Information: https://www.facebook.com/WyrickFire/
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – Home (usda.gov) https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
Eastern Arizona Current Outlook: Smoke Forecast Outlooks (airfire.org)
Highway Closures: https://az511.gov/
Navajo County Emergency Management: https://www.navajocountyaz.gov/Departments/Emergency-Management-and-Preparedness/Ready-Navajo-County-Notification-System/Ready-Navajo-County-Registration
Navajo County Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavajoCountyEM/
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/NCSO.AZ/posts/4060988313951038
Fire Restrictions in Arizona: WildlandFire.AZ.gov/fire-restrictions

Daily Update 6/23/2021
Announcement: The Wyrick Fire will host a virtual community meeting, Wednesday night, June 23, at 7:00 pm. Watch on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wyrick-west%20chev%20fire%20information

Overview: Clouds overnight prevented an Infrared Flight, so there is no updated acreage. Recent record breaking heat, combined with extreme drought conditions have set the stage for extreme fire behavior. Crews are working day and night to keep the Wyrick Fire from moving any closer to Heber-Overgaard. More favorable weather conditions will allow firefighters the opportunity to make some progress before sunny skies return.

Fire Update: On Tuesday, air tankers dropped retardant while helicopters dropped water on the southeast corner of the Wyrick Fire to keep the fire from moving to the south. Firefighters also worked on the south side of the Wyrick Fire between the 504 and 95 roads to construct fireline. The Wyrick fire is currently holding on the west side of Black Canyon. Firefighters were in place to begin assessing how to safely construct fireline to contain the West Chev Fire. Clouds helped to slow growth on both the Wyrick and West Chev fires yesterday afternoon.

Weather: Increasing cloud cover on Wednesday and Thursday, along with higher humidity will give firefighters a short window to make progress building fireline around the Wyrick Fire. Drought stressed plants and dead branches on the ground will still carry fire if pushed by winds. Winds will be out of the southwest Tuesday night and Wednesday, pushing fire away from Heber-Overgaard, although thunderstorms and gusty winds could quickly change the direction the Wyrick Fire moves.

Ready, Set, Go: There are no changes to the evacuation status. Visit Navajo County Emergency Management for additional information about the Ready, Set, Go program and how to sign up for alerts.

Areas in GO:
• Antelope Valley
• Despain Ranch
• Heber-and Overgaard north of State Routes 260 and 277

Areas in SET:
• Chevelon Retreat
• Communities south and east of State Route 277
• High Country Pines in Heber
• Kendall Ranch / Camp Ponderosa

Acres: Wyrick: 7,101 acres
West Chev: 288 acres
Cause of Both Fires: Lightning
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 158
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Location: Wyrick: 2 miles north of Tennyville HS, Heber, AZ
West Chev: 12.5 miles northwest of Heber, AZ
Fuels: Timber and grass

Areas in READY:
• Chevelon Ranches

Closures: The Apache-Sitgreaves national forests have announced a forest closure starting Thursday morning. The Black Mesa Ranger District implemented an emergency closure of the district west of Heber-Overgaard yesterday. Additional information can be found at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – News & Events (usda.gov). State Routes 260 and 377 have reopened heading into the Heber-Overgaard aera, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Continue to watch AZ511.gov for the latest updates.

Smoke: Smoke is visible and may settle into low lying areas overnight. The Daily Air Quality Index can be found by visiting Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at https://azdeq.gov/node/5914; or by downloading the Air Arizona mobile app on your smartphone. (https://azdeq.gov/airaz)

Values: Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. The fire areas include power lines and radio towers, private property, and natural resources.

More Information:
Inciweb:
• West Chev: West Chev Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)
• Wyrick: Wyrick Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)

Wyrick-West Chev Fire Information: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wyrick-west%20chev%20fire%20information
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – Home (usda.gov)Smoke: Wildfire Smoke Forecast | ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (azdeq.gov)
Highway Closures: https://az511.gov/
Navajo County Emergency Management: https://www.navajocountyaz.gov/Departments/Emergency-Management-and-Preparedness/Ready-Navajo-County-Notification-System/Ready-Navajo-County-Registration
Navajo County Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavajoCountyEM/
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/NCSO.AZ/posts/406098831395103