Duck Lake Fire discovered on Springerville Ranger District

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. – July 09, 2024 – The lightning caused Duck Lake fire was discovered on July 5, and is currently at 26 acres in size. The fire is located off of Forest Road (FR)116 and FR72, and near FR72M. Firefighting resources include 1 Type 3 engine, and 1 Type 6 engine.

Operations: The Duck Lake fire area has a significant number of snags, or dead standing trees, and is being monitored to provide for firefighter safety. As fire moves across the landscape it will consume dead and down fuels that remain within the footprint of the Wallow fire. The point protection strategy aims to keep fire within the designated perimeter while reducing hazardous fuel accumulations.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from FR116, the Westfork trail head, Thompson Crossing and Reservation Lake. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Closures: There are no road or trail closures at this time, however, visitors are advised to avoid camping in proximity of the fire area.

Value at Risk: There are no structures, homes, or infrastructure threatened at this time.

Safety: There are no evacuations at this time.

Weather: The forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies, a high of 82 degrees, and northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. There will be a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).

Monday, July 08, 2024
Location of Origin: 20 miles NE of Payson AZ Size: 460 acres
Start Date: July 8, 2024 Percent Contained: 0
Cause: Undetermined Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/Mixed Conifer
Personnel: 76
Resources Assigned: 1 Initial Attack Crew, 4 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 5 Dozers, 1 Water Tender

The Pius fire is located on the Black Mesa Ranger District, and is located southeast of the CC Cragin Reservoir, southwest of Wiggins Crossing, and north of Black Canyon Lake. The fire is currently managed under a Type 3 Incident Command structure with a full suppression strategy. Fire behavior exhibited extreme intensity today and was actively running, crowning to the tops of trees, and spotting ahead of the main fire. As a result of the increased growth and behavioral complexity, the Complex Incident Management Team, Team 1, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, will join in a formal in-brief on July 9 regarding the operational status of the Pius fire, and will assume command of the Pius fire at 6 a.m. on July 10, 2024.

Operations: The Pius fire is expected to continue to move to the south and southeast. Firefighting resources will look to establish an anchor point and will be using indirect and direct-attack tactics to establish flanking opportunities along the perimeter when it is safe to do so.

Evacuations: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued a “GO” status to evacuate immediately for people in and around Bear Canyon Lake and Knoll Lake including the areas north of Forest Road (FR)300, east of FR115, south of FR225, and west of FR34. The public is encouraged to follow the Ready, Set, Go! program to prepare for any threats to their community. Go to https://311info.net/ for accurate and timely status updates.

Smoke: Smoke is expected to impact the communities of Christoper Creek, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, and Highway 260. All areas within proximity of the fire can be impacted by smoke, depending on wind directions and ventilation. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community.
Values at Risk: KV Powerlines are located roughly 4 miles southeast of the fire and supplies power to the Phoenix Metropolitan area. There are private inholdings in proximity to the fire location. Recreation areas along the Rim Lakes are located roughly 5 miles south of the fire location.

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue with highs on July 9 expected to be 94 degrees. The forecast is calling for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms with winds shifting from the southwest to the northwest at 10-15mph.

Black Mesa Ranger District

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. – July. 05, 2024 – The lightning caused Weimer fire burning north of Forest Lakes and west of Heber-Overgaard has grown to approximately 500 acres. Additional firefighting resources have been dispatched to the incident, and include: four engines, three initial attack crews, two dozers, and a helicopter. The Weimer fire, detected on July 2, is burning within the Wagon Draw fire scar from 2009.
Operations: Fire crews completed firing operations off the dozer line on the north side of the Weimer fire yesterday by igniting available fuels near control lines to reinforce them. Firefighters will continue to prep Forest Road (FR) 170 today and perform ignitions along containment lines when conditions permit.

Smoke: As a result of ignitions, smoke is expected to increase today and will be visible from Highways 260, 277, and the communities of Forest Lakes and Heber/Overgaard. Drivers are cautioned that smoke may impact visibility near Forest Road (FR) 170, FR 99, Chevelon Canyon, Forest Lakes, and Highway 260. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/.

Closures: To provide for public and firefighter safety a temporary closure of a portion of FR 170 near the fire area is closed today. The public will be notified via signage and an Alert message on our website.

Value at Risk: There are no structures, homes, or infrastructure threatened at this time.

Safety: There are no evacuations at this time.

Weather: The forecast is calling for sunny skies, a high of 85 degrees, and northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).

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