Location of Origin: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Clifton Ranger District
Start Date: June 6, 2020
Size: Approximately 10,803 Acres
Cause: Lightning
Percent Contained: 0
Personnel: 180
Resources Assigned: 4 hotshot crews, 1 initial attack crew, 3 Type 6 engines, 1 Type 3 engine, 2 water tenders, 1 Type 1 helicopter, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, various incident management overhead.

Thunderstorm Winds Push Bringham Fire

A thunderstorm moved into the area on Thursday producing strong erratic outflow winds, pushing the head of the fire to the northwest. As the fire progressed toward a trigger point near the Rose Peak lookout facility, fire crews began burnout operations to keep the fire east of Highway 191. Fire managers worked closely with the National Weather Service office in Tucson who provided the team with real-time tracking of the thunderstorm system, which was crucial in informing on-the-ground tactical decisions.

The weather for the Bringham fire is calling for dry thunderstorms today with gusty and erratic winds up to 35 miles per hour. The Bringham Fire is burning in steep, remote, inaccessible terrain, and erratic winds continue to push the fire North, West and Southwest, and continues to threaten US 191/Coronado Trail.

Burnout operations will continue today as needed if the fire reaches established trigger points along Highway 191. Burnout operations can produce large amounts of smoke, and although these tactics are vital to successful firefighting operations, smoke from wildfires can be hazardous to your health. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality operates a network of portable particulate monitors across Arizona so that anyone can view air quality by visiting their website at https://www.phoenixvis.net/ppmmain.aspx.

Due to the increased complexity of the Bringham fire, a Type 2 Southwest Incident Management Team will be assuming command of the Bringham Fire at 0600 on Saturday, June 13.

A temporary Closure Order has been implemented for the Bringham fire and can be accessed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3793918. Highway 191 is closed in both directions between mile-marker 189 (just past Juan Miller road) and mile-marker 225. More information can be found at https://azdot.gov/adot-news/us-191-closed-eastern-arizona-mountains-due-bringham-fire.

Fire information can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6747/. Information about the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.

Location of Origin: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Clifton Ranger District
Start Date: June 6, 2020
Size: Approximately 2,700 Acres
Cause: Lightning
Percent Contained: 0
Personnel: Approximately 155
Resources Assigned: 3 hotshot crews, 2 initial attack crews, 3 Type 6 engines, 2 Type 3 engines, 2 water tenders, 1 Type 1 helicopter, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, various incident management overhead.

Fire Activity Increases on Bringham Fire

The Bringham Fire is situated in steep, rugged terrain, and these factors resulted in very active fire behavior today, especially along the southwest flanks. Fire crews successfully completed structure protection at the Rose Peak lookout tower facility, and similar work continues at various cabins of which some are classified as cultural resources.

Preparation for burnout operations along Highway 191 will include the use of helicopters to keep the fire in check, based on predetermined trigger points. The highway is a crucial holding feature, or man-made barrier, that incident managers will utilize to keep the fire contained to the east. To support the planned burnout operations, crews are setting up portable water sources along Highway 191 so that helicopters and crews can have easy access to this vital firefighting resource.

A temporary Closure Order for the Bringham fire area went into effect on June 10, 2020. The closure includes some forest roads, trails, day-use area facilities, and one campground. The purpose of the temporary area closure is to assure the protection of public health and safety in the closure area during the Bringham Fire activities. The closure order document and map can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3793918.

The public is reminded that Highway 191 is closed in both directions between mile-marker 189 (just past Juan Miller road) and mile-marker 225. ADOT signage is in place near both blockades on the highway. ADOT issued a traffic advisory yesterday for Highway 191, and more information can be found at https://azdot.gov/adot-news/us-191-closed-eastern-arizona-mountains-due-bringham-fire.

A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. For more information visit the Know Before You Fly website at http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Fire information can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6747/. Information about the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.