The good news for the Rock Creek fire is that there has been NO expansion and holding at 795 acres and at 30% containment. There are as many as 375 personnel working the fire and cost almost $600,000. Tomorrow approximately 1/3 of the ground crews will be released to head to other fires. Their service is greatly appreciated. The remaining ground crews will continue with more air attacks and additional containment is expected.

Smoke will settle in the low lying areas during the night again. Please use caution if you are driving and encounter thick smoke.

Rock Creek Fire Update

 Fire Facts

Fire Activity: Gusty afternoon winds are expected in the area of the Rock Creek Fire today, as 6 hand crews continue to build containment line around the perimeter of the fire located in the Rock Creek drainage. The fire’s northern progression was stopped when it moved into an area of a prescribed fire conducted by local fire managers in November of last year. Better mapping, conducted Saturday, established the fire at 750 acres. Today crews will continue to reinforce hand and dozer lines that were built Saturday. They will have air support in the form of Air Attack and two helicopters. Fire managers expect to see unburned fuel within the existing perimeter burn today as winds progress. Smoke may be visible to residents and visitors in Whiteriver, Hawley Lake and many communities north and northeast of the fire area.

Significant Events:  A fire weather watch for extremely dry and windy conditions is forecast for Monday.  Beginning Tuesday, weather conditions are forecast to become increasingly hot and dry but with less wind.

Closures: The R30 road is closed at Eastfork on the south end and at Diamond Creek on the north end.

General Information: The Eastern Arizona Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire Saturday evening. The Incident Command Post is located at the Rick Lupe Fire Management Center in Whiteriver, AZ.

Fire managers are expecting to see down drainage smoke from the Rock Creek Fire collecting in the Eastfork and Whiteriver valleys. Area residents and visitors are urged to use caution while driving in the area as smoke can suddenly become thick and obscure visibility. Additionally, those who have respiratory issues should remain indoors and away from smoke saturated areas.

There where no significant changes reported overnight to the size of the fire. Crews will be attacking the fire both on the ground as well as with air support throughout the day. Moisture levels in the fuels on the ground range between 2-5% and humidity levels around 8% today. Winds are expected to be up again today 16 to 21 mph with gusts up to 32 mph. The Eastern Arizona Incident Command Team will have more information this evening and we will try obtain more throughout the day.