July 25, 2023
Whiteriver, AZ – The Cottonwood Ridge Fire started on Sunday, July 23, 2023 within the old Rodeo-Chediski burn scar on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. It is approximately 240 acres, burning mainly dead and down logs and manzanita in steep and rugged terrain that is difficult for firefighters to access. The Cottonwood Ridge is exhibiting low to moderate fire behavior.
Yesterday, Airtankers have slowed the fire’s growth using retardant while firefighters were scouting to gain access to the fire. There were 23 personnel on the fire yesterday with additional resources on order.
Management Objective: Reduce fire size using aircraft, giving firefighters time to assess the fire landscape. Firefighters are working on full suppression tactics for this fire.
Operational Update: Today, firefighters will continue to scout the area to gain access to the south end of the fire to establish an anchor point. Heavy equipment will improve the main road. Air resources will continue to support the fire.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire area.
Values at risk: Potential communities at risk include Linden to the north of the Cottonwood Ridge Fire, but it’s NOT an immediate threat at this time. Citizens should always be “Ready” for any emergency by having a kit, being on the Ready Navajo County Alert System (sign up here: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612436/login) and watch official sources for accurate information. Should the need arise to go into “SET”, an alert will be sent, as well as posts added to our social media and on www.311info.net. Highway 60 may be impacted and is located east of the fire.
Smoke: Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding communities and along Highway 60.
Primary and Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Navajo County, and US Forest Service.

#

Campbell Fire: Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Location of Origin: Forest Service Road 8861

Start Date: July 10, 2023

Size: 1,416 acres

Cause: Lightning/Natural

Percent Contained: 66

Personnel: 135

Fuels: Medium Logging Slash

Resources Assigned: 1 Crew, 5 Engines, 1 Water Tender

Operations: Yesterday the fire received a fair amount of precipitation. Firefighters will work today to secure the fire along the northern flanks and extinguish remaining hot spots.  The Campbell fire has decreased in complexity and will transition from the White Mountain Zone Type 3 Team to a Type 4 Team with Incident Commander Colton Choate and trainee Obang Odul at 0600 on Thursday, July 20th. This will be the final update from the White Mountain Zone Type 3 Team unless conditions change.

Weather: Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies in the morning, then turning to cloudy in the afternoon with thunderstorm activity and a 60% chance of showers. The high temperature is expected to be 85 degrees with wind gusts increasing as thunderstorms move into the area.

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, learn more at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/?aid=81123.

Smoke: Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from Hwy 191, especially at night.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasf-campbell-fire
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

Campbell Fire 

Tuesday, July 18, 2023 

Location of Origin:Forest Service Road 8861 

Start Date: July 10, 2023      

Size: 1,416 acres 

Cause: Lightning/Natural       

Percent Contained: 48 

Personnel: 139                     

Fuels: Medium Logging Slash 

Resources Assigned: 2 Crews, 6 Engines, 2 Helicopters, 1 Dozers, 1 Water Tender 

Operations: Aweather system moved into the area of the fire yesterday afternoon, but no precipitation was received. Snags are smoldering within the interior of the fire and smoke is expected to continue as a result. Firefighters will work today to secure fire edges, mop up hot spots, and mitigating threats to containment lines.      

Weather: Today’s forecast calls for thunderstorm activity with a 60% chance of precipitation, temperatures in the upper 80s, and winds from 5 – 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.  

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, learn more at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/?aid=81123. 

Smoke: Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from Hwy 191, especially at night. 

Official fire information can be found on these sites: 

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasf-campbell-fire  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs  
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf