Rattlesnake Fire:

Location: Southeast of Whiteriver
Containment: 25%
Cause: Human caused, under investigation
Size: 15,423
Fire Activity:
Fire managers continue to monitor containment lines along the western flank near the Black River. There remains a few areas of concern as small pockets of fire are still active in that area.  Burnout operations were conducted along Forest Road 25 on Saturday, and fire crews continue to monitor the fire line along the northern and eastern sides of the fire.  Numerous resources are being relocated to areas with more fire activity to assist with suppression efforts.  Planned firing operations will increase smoke and are expected to impact Alpine and Luna Lake today.

Safety:  Motorists should be prepared for possible delays and/or a temporary road closure as firefighters plan to conduct burnout operations to improve fire line to the east along Forest Road 25 and anchor containment lines to highway 191.  Timing of the firing operation will be dictated by safety, weather, and operational progress.  ADOT personnel are in position to implement safety measures if and when the road is affected by smoke and fire. Checkpoints will be located at Hannagan Meadow to the north and Stray Horse to the south on Highway 191. Firefighters are being reminded to drive with caution during
low visibility and to be mindful of Forest visitor traffic.

Closures:  Closures are in place on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, White Mountain Apache Reservation and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.  Visit the Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb page for details.

Restrictions:  On Monday, April 23 at 1:00 a.m., the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will enter into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in order to reduce human-caused fires and protect public safety.  San Carlos Apache Reservation implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on April 17, 2018.  Modified Stage 2 Fire Restrictions continue on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5740) – BIA Fort Apache Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/ – Stage 1 Fire Restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/fire/?cid=fseprd538403 – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality https://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx

Apache County Public Health Department has issued the following:

We are being affected by smoke from a wildfire on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. With the predicted early fire season the following information is to help the public respond to smoke issues.

Particulate matter is a component of smoke from wildfires and consists of fine particles such as soot and ash that can reach deep into the lungs and may contain irritating and toxic compounds. Some of the symptoms related to exposure to smoke from wildfires include:

• Eye, nose, mouth and/or throat irritation;
• Coughing;
• Trouble breathing;
• Tightness of the chest; and/or
• The onset of symptoms related to pre-existing respiratory ailments like asthma or emphysema.

If smoke from wildfires is affecting you and your family consider some of the following actions:

• If you smell smoke and/or are beginning to experience symptoms, consider temporarily locating to another area as long as it is safe for you to do so.
• Move indoors and stay there with doors and windows closed.
• Run the air conditioning, the fan feature on your home heating system with the heat turned off. The filtration systems on home systems can provide some benefit.
• Run room air filtration units.
• Reduce your physical activity level. Do not exercise.
• If symptoms persist or become more severe, please contact your primary health care provider – even persons considered healthy can experience symptoms when exposed to smoke from wildfires!

There are a few population groups considered especially at risk from exposure to smoke from wildfires.

• Elderly persons;
• Young children (especially children 7 and under);
• Individuals with pre-existing health conditions like asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease; and Individuals with respiratory infections like colds or flu.

The ADEQ Springerville smoke monitor is operational and can be viewed at http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx.

National Weather Service is issuing a Red  Flag Warning and Wind Warnings/Advisories for Monday, April 16, 2018.

A dry cold front will likely bring very strong winds on Monday. In addition, low humidity looks to combine with these winds to produce critical fire weather conditions across the  area on Monday. The Red Flag Warning has been issued for Monday morning at 9 am until Monday evening at 10 pm for all of northern Arizona.

 The High Wind Warning and the Wind Advisory will also combine to cover all of Northern Arizona starting  Monday morning at 9 am until Monday evening at 10 pm .