The lightning-caused fire is burning within Deer Lake Canyon

Springerville, AZ, July 7th, 2022 — Fire personnel from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are on scene and responding to the Mesa Fire, located on the Black Mesa Ranger District. The fire was initially reported by a USFS lookout on the 3^rd of July. A lightning strike has been determined to be the cause.

The fire is burning in rugged terrain near Deer Lake Canyon, a steep canyon that runs into Chevelon Canyon. Due to the inaccessibility of the current fire location, firefighters are using an indirect strategy utilizing existing roads and favorable terrain to support a strategy of full suppression. Sections of the Forest Service roads 169, 180, and 180A will be utilized to facilitate fire suppression efforts on the ground.

Smoke is expected to be visible in the coming days, particularly from Hwy 260 and the community of Forest Lakes. Operations will continue as weather and fire conditions allow, while simultaneously placing firefighter safety foremost in consideration.

The public is advised to avoid the area if possible. If travel near the area in necessary, please use caution on roadways, watch for heavy equipment in the area, and slow down. These steps increase safety for both the public and for firefighters responding in the area.

Stay up to date on news from the A – S at our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf, on Twitter @A_SNFs and on facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

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6/13/2022 10:00 am – Frontier has continued to locate and make repairs to the damaged lines. No ETA has been provided for completion at this time.

Navajo County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation in regards to a damaged fiber line off Old Woodruff Road near Old Woodruff Bridge. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contacts them at (928)524-4050.

**UPDATE: 6/12/2022 @4:09 – 9-1-1 lines have been restored. Other updates will continue to be posted as we receive them regarding Verizon and internet services.

Due to the repairs that Frontier will need to make, there will be an outage of 9-1-1 services throughout the region. Repairs will being at 1:00pm and last for approximately 3 hours. Frontier has not provided the start time for this repair work. Both NCSO and ACSO text to 9-1-1 feature will still work! A Ready Navajo County alert was sent to provide this information to our citizens.

Alternate numbers for emergency services are as follows:

NCSO 928-241-4109:

SLPD 928-205-2742 or 928-205-2722:

ACSO 928-321-8042

WMAT 928-594-6851.

**Please do not call or text 9-1-1 to ‘test’ or updates, dispatchers need to keep lines clear for emergencies.**

Updates will be posted as they are received here.

5/21/2022 at 2:43 – SHOW LOW Navajo County has issued a “Set” alert for the following areas: Cheney Ranch, Full House Lane subdivision, Indian Mission, Hog Wash, Smith Ranch. Make sure you follow vetted sources of information. Updates will be posted here or on our social media.

All of the areas are south of Hwy 260 that are on SET. Only the locations within the evacuation area should have received the alert.  If you have not received an alert, make sure you register for future alerts by going to our website: www.navajocountyaz.gov/ready.

At the moment there resources working to suppress the fire including air assets and the fire is estimated at 5 acres.