NCSO in cooperation with USFS, Heber-Overgaard FD and the Type 2 Incident Management Team have concluded that the GO! orders can be lifted at 6:00 am on Thursday 6/24/2021 due to current fire conditions. Residents in Heber-Overgaard, Antelope Valley, Chevelon Retreat, DeSpain Ranch, and Chevelon Ranches will remain on SET status until further notice. Please continue to monitor www.311info.net or vetted social media pages for updates.

CLOSURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON STATE TRUST LAND FRIDAY
Phoenix, AZ (6/23/21) – Due to extremely high fire danger, exceptional drought conditions, resource availability, and increased fire activity, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Arizona State Land Department will implement closures to State Trust Land throughout Arizona. These closures are also in conjunction with our USFS partners.
As of 8am on June 25, 2021, closures will be implemented on state-owned and managed lands in all 15 counties. All state-owned and managed lands are closed to entry for recreational purposes, including hunting, camping, and off-road vehicle use. Target shooting and fireworks are prohibited year-round.
Closures apply to the following state-owned and state-managed lands within all 15 counties including:
 All State Trust lands outside incorporated municipalities.
 All State Parks outside incorporated municipalities – State Parks remain open with fire restrictions in place. Please refer to https://azstateparks.com/fire-safety/ – for park-specific fire restriction information.
 Full shutdown of all operations; except organizations on mineral soil involving road excavation, watering, grading, gravel surfacing, and rock crushing may continue with special permission. Contractor will provide fire guard for three hours after shutdown.
Exemptions include:
 Persons with a written fire entry and activity permit that specifically authorizes the permitted to be on the land. This may include such persons as grazing-permit holders when entry is needed to gather, move, or otherwise manage their permitted livestock, special-use authorization holders when access is needed to maintain emergency or other communications operations, and others.
 Any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting organization in the performance of an official duty.
 Resident owners and lessees of land within the closed area.
Any closure exemption must be approved by the State Forester.
These closures do not apply to private lands under ARS § 37-1303. For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at tdavila@dffm.az.gov

Daily Update 6/23/2021
Announcement: The Wyrick Fire will host a virtual community meeting, Wednesday night, June 23, at 7:00 pm. Watch on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wyrick-west%20chev%20fire%20information

Overview: Clouds overnight prevented an Infrared Flight, so there is no updated acreage. Recent record breaking heat, combined with extreme drought conditions have set the stage for extreme fire behavior. Crews are working day and night to keep the Wyrick Fire from moving any closer to Heber-Overgaard. More favorable weather conditions will allow firefighters the opportunity to make some progress before sunny skies return.

Fire Update: On Tuesday, air tankers dropped retardant while helicopters dropped water on the southeast corner of the Wyrick Fire to keep the fire from moving to the south. Firefighters also worked on the south side of the Wyrick Fire between the 504 and 95 roads to construct fireline. The Wyrick fire is currently holding on the west side of Black Canyon. Firefighters were in place to begin assessing how to safely construct fireline to contain the West Chev Fire. Clouds helped to slow growth on both the Wyrick and West Chev fires yesterday afternoon.

Weather: Increasing cloud cover on Wednesday and Thursday, along with higher humidity will give firefighters a short window to make progress building fireline around the Wyrick Fire. Drought stressed plants and dead branches on the ground will still carry fire if pushed by winds. Winds will be out of the southwest Tuesday night and Wednesday, pushing fire away from Heber-Overgaard, although thunderstorms and gusty winds could quickly change the direction the Wyrick Fire moves.

Ready, Set, Go: There are no changes to the evacuation status. Visit Navajo County Emergency Management for additional information about the Ready, Set, Go program and how to sign up for alerts.

Areas in GO:
• Antelope Valley
• Despain Ranch
• Heber-and Overgaard north of State Routes 260 and 277

Areas in SET:
• Chevelon Retreat
• Communities south and east of State Route 277
• High Country Pines in Heber
• Kendall Ranch / Camp Ponderosa

Acres: Wyrick: 7,101 acres
West Chev: 288 acres
Cause of Both Fires: Lightning
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 158
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Location: Wyrick: 2 miles north of Tennyville HS, Heber, AZ
West Chev: 12.5 miles northwest of Heber, AZ
Fuels: Timber and grass

Areas in READY:
• Chevelon Ranches

Closures: The Apache-Sitgreaves national forests have announced a forest closure starting Thursday morning. The Black Mesa Ranger District implemented an emergency closure of the district west of Heber-Overgaard yesterday. Additional information can be found at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – News & Events (usda.gov). State Routes 260 and 377 have reopened heading into the Heber-Overgaard aera, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Continue to watch AZ511.gov for the latest updates.

Smoke: Smoke is visible and may settle into low lying areas overnight. The Daily Air Quality Index can be found by visiting Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at https://azdeq.gov/node/5914; or by downloading the Air Arizona mobile app on your smartphone. (https://azdeq.gov/airaz)

Values: Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. The fire areas include power lines and radio towers, private property, 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: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wyrick-west%20chev%20fire%20information
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – Home (usda.gov)Smoke: Wildfire Smoke Forecast | ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (azdeq.gov)
Highway Closures: https://az511.gov/
Navajo County Emergency Management: https://www.navajocountyaz.gov/Departments/Emergency-Management-and-Preparedness/Ready-Navajo-County-Notification-System/Ready-Navajo-County-Registration
Navajo County Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavajoCountyEM/
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/NCSO.AZ/posts/406098831395103