Location: Southeast of Whiteriver
Start date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Cause: Unknown/Under investigation
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and grass understory
Size: Approximately 760 acres (Fort Apache Indian Reservation: 600 acres, Apache-Sitgreaves NF/ San Carlos Indian Reservation: 160 acres)
Resources Assigned: Approximately 158 personnel
Percent Containment: 0%

Firefighters are still working to contain the Rattlesnake fire and strategy for the incident is full suppression. Yesterday, strong winds made containment progress slow. Fire crews completed control lines in the southwest section of the fire, securing it off of Rattlesnake point. Aircraft was grounded due to high winds. A spot fire was established on San Carlos Agency side of Black River in an isolated area.

Today, Crews will continue to prepare control lines along the north flank of the fire. Firefighters will construct indirect lines in the western flank of the fire. The high winds will continue to hamper containment progress.

A Red Flag warning is in effect from noon to 9:00 pm this evening. Today the winds will shift and will be coming from the north and northwest and pushing the fire in a south and southwesterly direction.

Several roads within the boundary of the Rattlesnake Fire will be closed: The Y79 road at the Y40 Junction and the 25F road at the Y40 junction. The public is asked to drive carefully and turn on their headlights if traveling on the Y40 road.

Modified Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Campfires will NOT be allowed during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and debris burning will be prohibited until further notice.

Anyone having information regarding the Rattlesnake Fire contact WE-TIP at 1-800-47ARSON (1-800-472-7766). Official incident information will be posted online at the Rattlesnake Fire InciWeb page (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5740) and BIA Fort Apache Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/).

4/2/18 – The Tribal Forestry Department will be coordinating a prescribe burn with White Mountain Apache Fire and Rescue Department and Pinetop Fire Fuels Reduction crew.  The prescribe burn will reduce the amount of ground fuel around the Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center.

The prescribe burn will take place on April 3, 2018. The prescribe burn will be based on favorable weather conditions which include but not limited to the current weather forecast, air quality and fuel moisture.  The prescribe fire will help to reduce ground fuels and help protect property for the  Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center. See attached map for the location of the prescribe burn area.

Nearby residents should expect smoke inthe area and drivers should pay extra attention while traveling through the area of the prescribe burn. Individuals with respiratory problems are advised to avoid the outdoors as much as possible. The public will not be allowed in the prescribe fire burning area.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Logan Lawson at the Tribal Forestry Department (928)338-1665 or (928)594-6415.

March 30, 2018
Location:
 Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
 Navajo County, Arizona
 Approximately 5 miles west of Heber, AZ

Start Date: Reported March 30 at 9 AM
Size: 21 acres Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Human caused, under investigation

Resources Assigned: 1 hand crew, 2 engines
Vegetation: Pinyon pine and grass

Growth Potential: Low to Moderate
Structures Threatened: 0

Summary: This fire is located off of Forest Service Roads (FSR) 412 and 122. Resources on scene conducted firing operations to tie the fire into nearby roads. This strategy creates a safer working environment for firefighter personnel as there is a lot of snags (dead trees) in the area. Resources are currently putting out hot spots along the roads.

This is the ninth human caused fire on the Black Mesa Ranger District this week, three of which have become wildfires. As Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week comes to a close we can never stress enough that our White Mountains have experienced an unusually dry and warm winter, and all it takes is one spark to start a wildfire. Come prepared with a shovel and water, drown and stir your campfire until it’s cold to the touch.

Know Before You Go:
o Northeastern Arizona Public Information System: https://311info.net/ or call 311 or 928.333.3412
o Arizona Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/az/
o Fire Restrictions and Red Flag Alerts: http://wildlandfire.az.gov/
o Wildfires Near Me: http://www.wildfiresnearme.wfmrda.com/