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

Type 2 Incident Management Team taking command of Wyrick and West Chev Fires
Acres: Wyrick: 7,100 acres
West Chev: 288 acres
Cause of Both Fires: Lightning
Containment: 0%
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Location: Wyrick: 1 mi north of Heber, AZ
West Chev: 13 miles northwest of Heber, AZ
Fuels: Timber and grass

Announcement: The Wyrick and West Chev fires are burning on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Firefighters are working in cooperation with local county officials to keep residents and visitors safe. There is a list of links below which will help you find additional information.

Overview: The Southwest Incident Management Team 5, led by Incident Commander Mark Bernal, took command of the Wyrick and West Chev fires at 6am on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. The Wyrick Fire continues to burn approximately 1 mile north of Heber, and the West Chev Fire is burning 13 miles northwest of Heber. The acreage listed is from the Infra flight last night.

Fire Update: Extreme fire behavior with long range spotting and group tree torching was observed on the fires Monday, allowing both the Wyrick and West Chev fires to grow rapidly. Air tankers have been flying on the fire, and helicopters are dropping water buckets to assist in firefighting efforts. Additional firefighters and equipment are being ordered to help slow the spread of both fires, and to build line to contain these fires. As a safety precaution the Woods Canyon Lake Recreation area was cleared on Monday and will remain closed for public safety. Additional emergency closures are in progress.
Weather: Hot, dry, and breezy conditions will continue today, challenging firefighters. There is a potential for showers and thunderstorms to develop over the area on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.

Ready, Set, Go: 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 Highway 260 and 277

Areas in SET:
· Chevelon Ranches and Retreat
· Communities in Overgaard south of Highway 277 and North of Highway 260
· Areas in Heber not identified as Ready or Go status

Areas in READY:
· Overgaard south of Highway 260
· High Country Pines in Heber
· Kendall Ranch / Camp Ponderosa

Highway Closures: The Wyrick and West Chev fires have closed State Route 260 from Star Valley to Clay Spring. State Route 377 from Heber to Holbrook, and State Route 277 from 377 to Heber is also closed. This is a very fluid situation and closures keep shifting. There is no estimated time for reopening. Motorists are advised to delay travel or to seek alternate routes.

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)

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/…/Ready-Navajo-County…
Navajo County Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavajoCountyEM/
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/NCSO.AZ/posts/4060988313951038

The Wyrick Fire is very active today. Multiple resources are working on this fire and several others started by lightning in the area yesterday and today. Campers have been evacuated out of the area.

Citizens are asked to stay out of the are in order to allow firefighters to work safety and effectively. DO NOT fly drones in the area, if you fly we cannot!!!

Citizens in the Heber-Overgaard area should be vigilant for messaging through Ready Navajo County alert system. Messages that read ‘SET’ are meant for anyone that receives it to get their families and go kits prepared in case an ‘GO!’ (evacuation) message happens.

Please do NOT call 911 for updates, they will be posted here and on www.311info.net.