Start Date: October 27, 2019
Size: 20 Acres Cause: Under Investigation
Location: Southwest of Vernon near Forest Service Road 3 and 4
Resources: 1-Water Tender, 1-Dozer, and 4-Engines

The Antelope Fire is located on the Sitgreaves National Forest, Lakeside Ranger District, off of Forest Service Road 3 and 4, southwest of Vernon about 4-6 miles was discovered Sunday, October 27, 2019. Resources are on scene. One state crew, Wolf Mountain, is on scene with another arriving soon. No structures are threatened. The cause of the Antelope Fire is under investigation.

Smoke is visible from nearby residential areas and the surrounding communities. Please use caution, and if possible, please stay out of the area until the fire crews have containment.

Fort Apache Agency continues to conduct prescribed burning on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.Since October 9, 2019, a total of 10,176 acres has been treated within several burn blocks. Yesterday, prescribed burning operations was ceased due to red flag conditions. Fire personnel will resume treatment efforts today and through the weekend.

Fire personnel will be conducting prescribed burn treatments within the following burn units today and through the weekend: Sevenmile burn unit (6 miles east of Whiteriver within the Velasquez Ranch Area): This is a 2000 acre block. Today, fire personnel will be treating approximately 400 acres. Prescribed burn efforts will continue through the weekend. Hondah burn unit (4 miles east of McNary, adjacent to Haystack Cienega): This is a 2000 acre block. Fire personnel will begin prescribed burn treatment efforts today within unit 5 (363 acres) and unit 6(150 acres) and through the weekend. Perry burn unit (18 miles southeast o fWhiteriver): Fire personnel completed 999 acres and have 1001 acres remaining to treat. Fire personnel will resume treatment efforts today and through the weekend.

The public should stay out of the burn blocks for your safety and fire personnel safety. Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity and drivers should pay extra attention while traveling through or adjacent to burn areas. All Prescribed Fire activity will be carefully monitored and will comply with smoke management guidelines to reduce the impact of smoke on local residents. If conditions become unfavorable, prescribed burning efforts will be ceased to mitigate smoke impacts to the communities.

Prescribed burning efforts will continue as long as weather conditions permit and targeted acres are completed. The next update will be on Monday, October 28, 2019. If you have any questions regarding our upcoming prescribed burning efforts, you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 205-5662.

Fort Apache Agency continues to conduct prescribed burning on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Since October 9, 2019, a total of 4,864 acres has been treated within five burn units. Fire personnel will conduct prescribed burn treatments within the Odart and Turkey Creek burn units.

The Odart burn unit is located about 18 miles southeast of Whiteriver. Today, October 21, 2019, fire personnel will conduct broadcast burning operations within this burn unit. If conditions are favorable they will continue treatment efforts within this burn unit for the next few days.

The Turkey Creek burn unit is located about 8 miles east of Whiteriver. Today, October 21, 2019 fire personnel are conducting broadcast burning operations within this burn unit. If conditions are favorable they will treat over 500 acres within this burn unit.

Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity and drivers should pay extra attention while traveling through or adjacent to burn areas. All Prescribed Fire activity will be carefully monitored and will comply with smoke management guidelines to reduce the impact of smoke on local residents. If conditions become unfavorable prescribed burning efforts will be ceased to mitigate smoke impacts to the communities.

Prescribed burning efforts will continue as long as weather conditions permit and targeted acres are completed. The next update will be on Monday, October 28, 2019.

If you have any questions regarding our upcoming prescribed burning efforts, you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 338-5425 or you can log onto BIA Fort Apache Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt.