Fact sheet for Thursday, July 20, 2023

Highlights: The fire transitioned to a Type 3 Incident Commander yesterday. Suppression personnel made good progress overnight with cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity.

Operations: Fire personnel are working through suppression tactics and balancing firefighter safety concerns in the area.A high priority for personnel is to keep the fire on the west side of Chevelon Canyon. Resources assigned to the fire include 5 hand crews, 4 dozers, 6 engines 2 water tenders, 3 helicopters, and miscellaneous overhead. Air tankers will be ordered as needed to assist suppression operations. Moderate movement is expected.

Evacuations: No evacuations. The areas of Chevelon Canyon Ranches/Retreat are currently on “SET “status. Please make sure your go kit is prepared, you have your important papers/documents gathered and you are following https://311info.net/ for accurate and timely status updates.

Closures: There is a roadblock at the junction of Forest Service roads 504 and 153. Residence of Chevelon Canyon Ranches/Retreat are being allowed passage. There is no access on State Route 99 to Chevelon Crossing.

Additional roads in the area may be restricted or closed depending on the operational needs of firefighters.

Avoid travel in the area if possible. If in the area, please watch for fire personnel and heavy equipment.

Weather: Expect warm, dry, and breezy today. Cloud cover and a chance of precipitation Friday. Weather information is available at https://www.weather.gov/fgz/

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage I Fire and Smoking Restrictions, learn more at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/?aid=81123
Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://ein.az.gov

Smoke: Smoke is visible from the surrounding area. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs

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Acres: 392 | Containment: 0% | Total personnel: 77
Start Date: July 10th, 2023 | Cause: Lightning/Natural | Location: 6 miles SW of Alpine, AZ Fuels: Heavy dead and down from the Wallow Fire of 2011

Highlights: The fire is spreading downhill in heavy dead and down trees with grass understory. Fire activity decreased yesterday because of precipitation. A Type 3 Incident commander has been ordered and is expected to be on the scene today.
Operations: Contain/confine strategies continue today. Monitoring, confinement work from existing forest service roads and containment operations will continue as weather and fire conditions allow, while simultaneously considering firefighter safety first. Minimal movement in all directions is expected.

Evacuations: No evacuations currently.
Weather: Thunderstorm activity is expected to continue in the general area, accompanied by potential lightning activity.

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage I Fire and Smoking Restrictions, learn more at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/…
Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://ein.az.gov

Forest roads in the area may be restricted or closed depending on the operational needs of firefighters.

Smoke: An interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. Smoke may be visible from Hwy 191, especially at night.

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov
https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
Twitter @A_SNFs

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Location of Origin: Highway 60 at mm 300
Start Date: July 5, 2023
Size: 831 acres
Cause: Undetermined
Percent Contained: 17
Personnel: 248
Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, Grass
Resources Assigned: 8 crews, 5 engines, 2 water tenders, 2 helicopters, 2 Dozers

Operations: Fire activity is minimal, with only a few areas that remain active. Due to the hard work of firefighting resources, the perimeter has not changed in recent days and suppression lines are expected to hold today with no expected increase in size.

Closures:
• The Incident Management Team and ADOT have formalized a conditional reopening plan for highway 60. The closure that has been in effect on highway 60 has been modified to allow for traffic easement between 9:00 pm – 6:00 am with reduced speeds. Traffic will be escorted via pilot car tomorrow from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm and will be reduced to one lane. The public is advised to allow for traffic delays during this time. This conditional reopening plan may be rescinded if fire activity increases in the area.

• The White Mountain Apache Tribe issued an executive order on July 7, 2023. There are no campfires allowed at the lakes, streams, or even in the community, and no yard burning. Wood cutting must be done before 10:00 a.m., and there is no wood cutting in the closure area.

Weather: Today’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 97 degrees and winds from 5 to 10 mph.

Values at risk: Emory Oak grove in the area of Flying V, tribal sensitive species in surrounding areas, cattle and grazing areas, watershed and riparian areas, woodland areas, the Salt River recreation areas, the Highway 60 transportation corridor, communications towers on Brewer Hill, Cibecue Ridge, and north of Salt River Canyon.

Safety: Wildfire smoke may impact Cibecue,White River, Carrizo, Cedar Creek, and the White Mountain communities. The public is encouraged to take precautionary measures.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azwat-flying-v-fire
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt
• ADEQ Air QualityInformation: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077
• ADOT: https://www.az511.com/
• Executive Order: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and Forest Closures