Cottonwood Ridge Wildfire UpdateJuly 26, 2023
Quick FactsSize: 411 acres
Containment: 0%
Road Closures: None
Total Personnel: 52
Jurisdiction: Fort Apache Agency
Reservation: Fort Apache Indian Reservation
Start Date: July 23, 2023
Fire Cause: Lightning
Operational Update: Yesterday, there was a 10-acre slop over along Cottonwood Canyon on the east flank of the fire. Firefighters lined and secured the slop over. The retardant lines are holding the west and north flank of the fire. This morning, fire mangers flew the fire and observed that the fire was active in the northwest flank. Firefighters will work today to secure the fire and continue line construction where necessary. Air resources will continue to support the fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is on order to assume command of the Cottonwood Ridge, Spoon and Mustang Ridge fires on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation at 0600 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
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.
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 Fort Apache Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt 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.
