New Start – Horton Fire
Alpine Ranger District – South of Alpine in Wallow Fire scar

Alpine, AZ, June 16, 2021 – The Horton Fire is located in steep rugged terrain characterized by standing dead timber and heavy dead and down logs..
Size: 40 acres Containment: 0%
Incident Start Date: June 15, 2021 Cause: Lightning
Location: 5 miles northeast of Hannigan Meadows
Resources Responding: 5 Engines, 1 Dozer, 1- 10 Person IA Module and 1 Water Tender
Total Personnel: 40

Fire Update: The Horton Fire is located within the Wallow Fire scar and is a full suppression fire with an contain/confine strategy. Low to moderate fire behavior has been observed today mainly burning in the dead and down fuel component. The fire is within an area full of snags and heavy downfall from the Wallow Fire scar. Crews will be looking to areas where they can safely engage personnel to work on the fire. Smoke is visible from Alpine and Hannigan Meadows.

Smoke: Smoke from the Horton Fire may impact Alpine, Nutrioso, and Springerville. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to search for current smoke information.
Closures and Evacuations: There are currently no closures or evacuations in place.

For information on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, check out our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.

The Telegraph fire was mapped Monday night at around 123,000 acres, with approximately 31,800 acres of growth yesterday. The fire was very active on the east/southeast side and produced a large amount of smoke, which dispersed west/northwest. Smoke did move over the Phoenix Valley; however, no monitors or sensors recorded significant smoke at the surface within the Valley as smoke stayed well elevated off the ground.

Smoke Synopsis

UPDATE: Smoke today is not getting as much lift as we saw yesterday. As a result, smoke is moving into Queen Valley, Superior and the Phoenix Valley this afternoon. Light to moderate impacts are likely this afternoon through the overnight hours. Remember, if you are smelling smoke you are breathing smoke and you should limit outdoor activity.

An important note: There will once again be a possibility of high-based (dry) thunderstorms near/over the region, resulting in strong gusty outflows winds this afternoon and again tomorrow afternoon. As a result, smoke could move in any direction and cause brief but moderate to high smoke impacts to locations around the fire. These outflow winds may also briefly push smoke into Queen Valley, Florence, and the far East Valley of Phoenix; however, any impacts are expected to be short-lived.

Smoke from the Pinnacle Fire (west of Superior) and from the Johnson Fire, burning in New Mexico, will also push westward today and may combine with smoke from the Telegraph Fire.

The Telegraph fire was mapped Monday night at around 123,000 acres, with approximately 31,800 acres of growth yesterday. The fire was very active on the east/southeast side and produced a large amount of smoke, which dispersed west/northwest. Smoke did move over the Phoenix Valley; however, no monitors or sensors recorded significant smoke at the surface within the Valley as smoke stayed well elevated off the ground.

Smoke Synopsis

With hot and dry weather conditions today, expecting continued smoke production as the fire remains active. Like yesterday, we are forecasting smoke to quickly rise above ground level and disperse toward the west throughout the day. While Superior, Queen Valley, and the Hayden area may see light smoke during the day, overall impacts are expected to be light. Smoke will also continue to move over the Phoenix Valley; however, only expecting light (if any) impacts at the surface.

An important note: There will once again be a possibility of high-based (dry) thunderstorms near/over the region, resulting in strong gusty outflows winds this afternoon and again tomorrow afternoon. As a result, smoke could move in any direction and cause brief but moderate to high smoke impacts to locations around the fire. These outflow winds may also briefly push smoke into Queen Valley, Florence, and the far East Valley of Phoenix; however, any impacts are expected to be short-lived.

Smoke from the Pinnacle Fire (west of Superior) and from the Johnson Fire, burning in New Mexico, will also push westward today and may combine with smoke from the Telegraph Fire.T

Tomorrow, we are forecasting a similar pattern to what is seen today.