Acres: 1,714                                          Start Date: 07/08/24
Location: 20 miles NE of Payson, AZ    Personnel: 76
Containment: 0%                                  Fuels: Timber
Resources: 1 Initial Attack Crew | 4 Engines | 4 helicopters | 1 Water Tender | 5 Dozers

Highlights: At 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, Southwest Area Team 1 assumed command of the Pius Fire. This is full suppression fire; the incident management team will use both direct and in-direct tactics to support the suppression efforts. Resources on scene include hand crews, engines, heavy equipment and both fixed and rotor wing aircraft.

Fire Activity: Initial attack resources remained on the fire overnight, working to establish containment lines around values at risk. Firefighters and equipment continue to construct fire line today and will be using back firing operations where necessary to support containment efforts. Aerial resources will continue to be utilized to both monitor fire growth as well as support ground operations through water drops. High winds and heavy fuel in the fire area will continue to contribute to fire growth. Key values at risk including private inholdings, popular recreation areas, and power infrastructure are areas firefighters will focus efforts during today’s operations.

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue with high temperatures in the 90s and winds northwest at 10-15 mph.

Smoke: Smoke is expected to impact the communities of Christoper Creek, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, and Highway 260. For updates on smoke conditions in your local area visit www.fire.airnow.gov.

Closures/ Evacuations: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued a ‘SET’ notice for the immediate area around Knoll Lake and the associated campground. A ‘GO’ notice, evacuate immediately, has been issued for Bear Canyon Lake including areas north of Forest Road 300, east of Forest Road 115, south of Forest Road 225, and west of Forest Road 34. To find more information about current evacuations please visit the Coconino County Emergency Management website.

More Information:
Fire Information: 928-216-3127 Email: 2024.pius@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasf-pius-fire

Location of Origin: 20 miles NE of Payson AZ Size: 1,300 acres
Start Date: July 8, 2024 Percent Contained: 0
Cause: Undetermined Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/Mixed Conifer
Personnel: 76
Resources Assigned: 1 Initial Attack Crew, 4 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 5 Dozers, 1 Water Tender

The Pius fire is located on the Black Mesa Ranger District, and is located southeast of the CC Cragin Reservoir, southwest of Wiggins Crossing, and north of Bear Canyon Lake. The fire is currently managed under a Type 3 Incident Command structure with a full suppression strategy. The Complex Incident Management Team, Team 1, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope will assume command of the Pius fire at 6 a.m. on July 10, 2024.

Operations: Firefighters continue to construct fire line and conduct back firing operations where necessary. Aerial resources are being utilized today over the fire with helicopter support of ground operations.

Evacuations: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued a ‘SET’ notice for the immediate area around Knoll Lake and campground. A ‘GO’ notice has been issued to evacuate immediately for people in and around Bear Canyon Lake including the areas north of Forest Road (FR)300, east of FR115, south of FR225, and west of FR34. To find out more about current evacuations visit the Coconino County Emergency Management website.

Smoke: Smoke is expected to impact the communities of Christoper Creek, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, and Highway 260. All areas within proximity of the fire can be impacted by smoke, depending on wind directions and ventilation. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community.

Values at Risk: KV Powerlines are located roughly 3.5 miles southeast of the fire and supplies power to the Phoenix Metropolitan area. There are private inholdings in proximity to the fire location. Recreation areas along the Rim Lakes are located roughly 5 miles south of the fire location.

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue tomorrow with an expected high of 90 degrees and northwest at 10-15mph.

Monday, July 08, 2024
Location of Origin: 20 miles NE of Payson AZ Size: 460 acres
Start Date: July 8, 2024 Percent Contained: 0
Cause: Undetermined Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/Mixed Conifer
Personnel: 76
Resources Assigned: 1 Initial Attack Crew, 4 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 5 Dozers, 1 Water Tender

The Pius fire is located on the Black Mesa Ranger District, and is located southeast of the CC Cragin Reservoir, southwest of Wiggins Crossing, and north of Black Canyon Lake. The fire is currently managed under a Type 3 Incident Command structure with a full suppression strategy. Fire behavior exhibited extreme intensity today and was actively running, crowning to the tops of trees, and spotting ahead of the main fire. As a result of the increased growth and behavioral complexity, the Complex Incident Management Team, Team 1, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, will join in a formal in-brief on July 9 regarding the operational status of the Pius fire, and will assume command of the Pius fire at 6 a.m. on July 10, 2024.

Operations: The Pius fire is expected to continue to move to the south and southeast. Firefighting resources will look to establish an anchor point and will be using indirect and direct-attack tactics to establish flanking opportunities along the perimeter when it is safe to do so.

Evacuations: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued a “GO” status to evacuate immediately for people in and around Bear Canyon Lake and Knoll Lake including the areas north of Forest Road (FR)300, east of FR115, south of FR225, and west of FR34. The public is encouraged to follow the Ready, Set, Go! program to prepare for any threats to their community. Go to https://311info.net/ for accurate and timely status updates.

Smoke: Smoke is expected to impact the communities of Christoper Creek, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, and Highway 260. All areas within proximity of the fire can be impacted by smoke, depending on wind directions and ventilation. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community.
Values at Risk: KV Powerlines are located roughly 4 miles southeast of the fire and supplies power to the Phoenix Metropolitan area. There are private inholdings in proximity to the fire location. Recreation areas along the Rim Lakes are located roughly 5 miles south of the fire location.

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue with highs on July 9 expected to be 94 degrees. The forecast is calling for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms with winds shifting from the southwest to the northwest at 10-15mph.