WHITERIVER, ARIZONA – Several wildland fires have started on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation within the past few days. All fires have been caused by lightning and are burning in relatively remote areas of the Reservation. Lightning strikes can generate fires that smolder and go unnoticed for days or weeks following a storm.

Bladder Fire – The Bladder fire was detected on July 6, 2021. This fire is located in the far southwest portion of the Reservation about 10 miles west of Salt River Canyon. The fire is 200 acres. There has been no growth on this fire for 2 days. Fire resources will continue to prepare control lines along the east and west flank of the fire.

Jump Off Fire – The Jump Off fire is estimated to be 40 acres and was detected on July 6, 2021. The fire is located north of Carrizo and is within the Rodeo-Chediski fire burned area. The fire is located along a steep slope with little to no road access. Due to the location of the fire, fire resources will use a confine/contain and point protection strategy for this incident which will reduce exposure to firefighters. Smoke may be visible from highway 60.

Badger Creek Fire – The Badger Creek fire was detected on July 7, 2021. The fire is 3 acres and is 60% lined.

For more information on the fire, you can log onto BIA Fort Apache Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMg

Wildfire Smoke Forecast 6/28/2021- this will be the last posted smoke forecast for the fires unless conditions change for our area.

Satellite imagery is showing clear skies this morning, but we are expecting cloud cover to move in later this afternoon. There is a possibility for showers and thunderstorms today and throughout the week. With the potential for these isolated storms to form, outflows can be associated with them bringing breezy winds. Winds are forecast to be out of the east-northeast today. Gusty conditions are possible from any forming outflows later today.

Firefighters making slow, steady progress on Wyrick and West Chev fires
Daily Update 6/27/2021
Wyrick
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Acres: Wyrick: 7,592 acres
Cause: Lightning
Location: 2 miles north of Mogollon HS, Heber, AZ
Containment: 76%
Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, Timber and grass
Total Personnel: 325
West Chev
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Acres: 1,170 acres
Cause: Lightning
Location: 12.5 miles northwest of Heber, AZ
West Chev: 62%
Fuels: Timber and grass

Announcement: Fire related traffic will remain high in and around the communities of Heber – Overgaard. Motorists travelling on State Route 260 should be aware of and watch out for this extra traffic.

Overview: Although both fires currently show greater than 60 percent containment, potential remains for active fire behavior and movement. Fuels are very dry and susceptible to igniting and burning.
Smoke may be seen over the Wyrick Fire as fuels inside containment lines continue to burn. The West Chev fire will produce smoke as the fire burns up to containment lines.

Fire Update:
Wyrick: Fire crews secured additional sections of fire line Saturday, increasing overall containment to 76 percent. Dry fuels continue to smolder with occasional flare-ups. Firefighters are working to cool these hotspots near containment lines, as well as toward the interior of the fire, strengthening and expanding the depth of containment lines. Today these efforts will be concentrated on the south edge of the fire between the 504 and 95 roads. The fires edge here is uneven with unburned fuels remaining near the containment line. In addition, suppression repair work will be done on secondary containment lines. This includes placing water bars on lines to limit erosion and chipping slash created during line construction.

West Chev: Saturday firefighters made good progress on the West Chev Fire. Although fuels are very dry due to prolonged drought, past fire management activities in the area have reduced existing fuel amounts. This results in moderate fire behavior with the fire remaining mostly on the ground. These more favorable conditions provide better options for fire managers. Today, firefighters will continue utilizing existing Forest Roads 169B and 180Z for containment. They plan to construct containment line across Circle Bar draw between these roads encircling the fire. Crews may, if needed burn existing fuel between these containment lines and the fire edge in order to secure the fires west side.

Weather: Weather conditions will be warm and dry again today similar to yesterday. Only a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms remains for the fire areas with associated outflow winds. Temperatures will be seasonable with highs in the 80’s and relative humidity in the teens. Wind will be northerly with occasional afternoon breezes.

Ready, Set, Go: There have been no changes to yesterday’s direction.
Areas in SET:
• Antelope Valley
• Despain Ranch
• Heber-and Overgaard
• Chevelon Retreat
• Areas north of State Route 260 and northwest of State Route 277
Residents are asked to remain alert and keep apprised of current fire conditions.
Please visit Navajo County Emergency Management for additional information about the Ready, Set, Go program and how to sign up for alerts.

Closures: A complete closure of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests remains in effect. Additional details can be found at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – News & Events (usda.gov). Arizona State Trust Lands in all 15 counties are closed for recreational use. For current information on highways, please continue to watch Arizona Department of Transportation’s AZ511.gov website.

Smoke: Localized smoke impacts may exist in communities east of the fire if fire activity picks up, mainly in the afternoon. Expect smoke production from the east side of Wyrick this afternoon once conditions dry out from remaining fuels. While not a lot of smoke is expected from both fires today, this weekend is trending drier and hotter, so expect some smoke production. A predominant northerly wind today should transport any generated smoke to the south. If fire activity increases, expect smoke impacts to Forest Lakes. Overnight drainage winds may push smoke into Forest Lakes. The area may see influence from the Backbone and Rafael fires if winds shift from the west. The Daily Smoke Outlook can be found by visiting: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternArizona

Values: Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. Additional values at risk include properties and infrastructure, as well as power and transmission lines, communication towers, campgrounds, critical range infrastructure, and cultural and natural resources.

More Information:
Inciweb:
• West Chev: West Chev Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)
• Wyrick: Wyrick Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)
Wyrick-West Chev Fire Information: (20+) Wyrick-West Chev Fire Information | Facebook
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – Home (usda.gov)
Eastern Arizona Current Outlook: Smoke Forecast Outlooks (airfire.org)
Highway Closures: https://az511.gov/
Navajo County Emergency Management: https://www.navajocountyaz.gov/…/Ready-Navajo-County…
Navajo County Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavajoCountyEM/
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/NCSO.AZ/posts/4060988313951038
Fire Restrictions in Arizona: WildlandFire.AZ.gov/fire-restrictions